Duckworth was still talking and pointing as they turned down another hallway and entered a common room, now vacant.
When they paused, Daniel asked, “And how large is your security force?”
“Twenty men. The best of them were hand-picked for special security work and received instruction from Brother Joshua.”
“Br... Br... Brother Joshua?” Daniel stammered. “You mean my brother Joshua?”
The archwarden looked briefly puzzled. “Yes, I see. That’s funny, isn’t it? He is one of the brethren, but he’s also your sibling. His last name is Metcalf after all. A very wise young man.”
“How long ago was he here?”
Duckworth paused to calculate on his fingers. “One, two. I’d say less than three months. He arrived just as Mr. Bowdeen was finishing up with weapons training for our guards.”
“So, they knew each other,” the scion asked cautiously.
“Oh, I should say so. Thick as thieves they were. Spent hours conferring together. Very hush-hush. I got the impression they had worked together often. That would make perfect sense since they were both tasked with setting up security at all the other compounds around the world. I think—” Duckworth stopped abruptly as another idea crossed his mind. “That reminds me. Would you please step into my office for a moment?”
Daniel nodded and allowed himself to be led down another series of corridors until they came to a door at the end of a hall.
Duckworth unlocked it and gestured through the open door. “Please have a seat.”
The scion dropped into a chair and watched as the archwarden bustled around peeping into corners, rummaging through cabinets and murmuring to himself. “Ah, yes. Here it is.” He produced a leather portfolio stamped with the name “Bowdeen” in gold leaf.
Duckworth handed the portfolio to Daniel. “Shortly after Mr. Bowdeen returned to the United States, one of the sentries found this. He’d accidentally left it at the shooting range during the final days of training. Can you see that this is returned to him?”
Daniel simply nodded, not wishing to inform the archwarden that Bowdeen had been shot during an abortive attempt to murder the diviner. “I’ll see that he gets it.”
***
Two hours later, the scion steered his car back through the compound gates and onto the gravel road which led to the highway. He’d been forced to endure a grand tour of all the security features of the compound, including a visit to the surveillance command center, an inspection of the weapons training facility, and a demonstration of marksmanship by the security team. He made complimentary remarks along the way to alleviate Duckworth’s anxiety about the surprise inspection. Then he pleaded an evening appointment in Melbourne in order to avoid sharing a meal with the archwarden and his wives.
Daniel sped up once he made the turn onto the blacktop highway. He drove about five miles away from the compound and then pulled over to the side of the road to think about what he’d learned. His worst fears had been confirmed. The rumors were true. The satellite compounds were all fitted out with the same surveillance equipment as the compound in Illinois. They were staffed with guards adept at using firearms. The worst piece of news was that his brother Joshua was deeply involved in turning these Nephilim outposts into military fortresses.
He switched off the ignition and reached over to the passenger seat to retrieve Bowdeen’s effects. Zipping open the case, he idly leafed through the papers it contained. At first, he scowled at what he found. Then he gasped outright. He couldn’t quite put it all together, but an ominous theory began to take shape in his mind. Chris had once told him he had no talent for connecting the dots. That was certainly true in this instance. As soon as he got back to the States, he would get help figuring this out. Ironically, it wouldn’t be a librarian who held the answers he sought. It would be a hired killer. Only Leroy Hunt could aid him now.
Chapter 12—Island Time
Cassie and Griffin sauntered into Faye’s parlor at the vault. They’d come directly from the airport, not even stopping to drop off their luggage in their respective offices.
“Looks like you both made it back in one piece,” Maddie observed.
“That’s a lot easier to do now that we aren’t being dogged by Nephilim assassins,” the pythia retorted, parking her suitcase next to the door and dropping onto the couch.
Griffin stowed his bag in a corner and took up a position by one of the faux-windows. “It all felt rather anti-climactic,” he mused. “Like a stroll in the park.”
Cassie gave him a skeptical glance. “I hear there’s an org called Thrill Seekers Anonymous. You should check it out.” Focusing her full attention on Maddie, she asked, “Did you dig up anything that might point us to the real location of the Sage Stone?”
“I’ll let Zach tell you. It makes him feel useful.” The chatelaine glanced at her watch. “He ought to be here by now.”
As if on cue, the tyro skidded to a stop in the doorway. He was out of breath when he entered, a laptop computer hooked under one arm. “Sorry.” He bobbed his head apologetically. “I needed to check some emails on Griffin’s computer.”
“You were in my office?” The scrivener sounded shocked.
“I’ve been letting him use it to coordinate the research team while you were gone,” Maddie explained.
“Did you move anything?” Griffin asked Zach suspiciously.
“I dunno.” The tyro shrugged helplessly. “Maybe.”
The scrivener gave an exasperated sigh. “I do have a system, you know. It may not be obvious to anyone else, but I maintain my records in a certain order. I only hope I’ll be able to find things in their proper place once I resume my regular duties.”
Cassie interrupted his tirade. “Griffin, you can’t do two jobs on opposite sides of the planet at the same time. You’re either king of the card catalog or a dashing international artifact hunter. Take your pick.”
“Well,
