“Okay,” Zach assented half-heartedly.
“Speaking of Daniel,” the chatelaine said. “How did he behave during your mission?”
“He seemed surprisingly open-minded when we briefed him on matristic prehistory,” the scrivener remarked.
“Daniel was OK,” Cassie agreed. “Except...” she trailed off.
Griffin completed the thought. “During our last day in Melbourne, he left abruptly to pay a visit to a Nephilim compound. When he returned, we could tell something was amiss, but he didn’t offer any additional information.”
“You should keep your guard up,” Maddie advised. “Just because he’s playing nice for now doesn’t mean he hasn’t got his own agenda on this quest.”
“Quite right,” the scrivener said.
The chatelaine scowled with dissatisfaction. “Speaking of hidden agendas, we’re still at a loss to know what Abe’s got up his sleeve. Why does he want the Sage Stone? What’s his end game? I just wish there was some way for us to get the inside scoop.”
“I doubt Daniel will be forthcoming with that type of information,” Griffin demurred.
“I doubt he even knows,” Maddie countered. “His father doesn’t seem to be the trusting sort. The diviner operates on a need-to-know basis, and nobody needs to know all the facts but him.”
“All we can do is go along from day to day and hope somebody slips up,” Cassie said.
“In other words, pray for a miracle.” Maddie gave a mirthless laugh.
“A miracle would be good right about now,” the pythia agreed wistfully.
Chapter 13—Character Assassination
Leroy Hunt yawned and stood up to stretch. He paced around his living room to take a break from staring at his computer screen. He’d been at it for days, trying to pick up a paper trail from the farmhouse in the sticks that would lead him to Mr. Big. The preacher had given him the boring job of tracking down the secret organization that had become such a thorn in his side. No matter what old Abe had promised to Miss Cassie and Grif, he still planned to wipe out their whole operation at the end of the day. That meant Leroy needed to zero in on their headquarters while the two were otherwise occupied.
The cowboy resented being consigned to the role of paper monkey. He’d have much preferred trailing after Daniel and the dynamic duo in Australia, so he could look after his own vested interests. Once the last doodad was found, he’d be able to cash in his chips and collect his winnings. Leroy had waited a long time for his payday to come around and it was almost here. He didn’t want any screw-ups so close to the finish line. He cast an eye back toward the computer, considering whether it was time to knock off for the evening. Just then, his phone rang.
He picked it up and answered. “Hello?”
“Mr. Hunt?”
It took him a moment to identify the voice. “Brother Dan’l?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“You back in the States now?”
“We returned yesterday afternoon.”
Hunt swore under his breath. “Your daddy ain’t keepin’ me in the loop like he should.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Daniel apologized distractedly. “I need to speak with you in person.”
“Right now?” Hunt checked his watch. “Son, it’s almost quittin’ time. I ain’t gonna drive way the hell out to the compound tonight.”
“No, not the compound,” Daniel corrected. “I’m already in the city at the downtown library. I thought I might come to your apartment.”
Hunt offered a counter-proposal. “There’s a bar around the corner from my place.” He gave Daniel the address.
“I’ll be there in half an hour.” There was a long pause. “And Mr. Hunt...”
“Yup?”
“Please don’t tell anyone about this meeting.”
The cowboy raised his eyebrows, intrigued by Daniel’s attempt at cloak-and-dagger. “Okey-dokey.”
***
Thirty minutes later, Hunt sat on a barstool nursing his second glass of whiskey while he waited for Daniel to show. He idly scanned the tavern clientele. It was still too early in the evening for serious drinkers to arrive. Happy hour was in full swing which meant there was enough noisy chatter to drown out whatever the kid wanted to tell him.
Daniel sloped up and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Grab a stool, boy,” the cowboy instructed.
“Uh, no. I’d rather not sit at the bar. I have something confidential to discuss with you.”
Growing even more intrigued, Leroy gestured toward the booths against the wall. They had high wooden backs which prevented nosy third-parties from eavesdropping.
Daniel ordered a pale ale. When it arrived, the two men took their drinks and headed for the stall farthest from the door.
They slid into seats opposite one another.
Studying the scion’s beverage choice, the cowboy observed, “Son, someday you’re gonna have to belly up to a grown man’s drink.”
Daniel took a sip of his ale. “Considering that I didn’t touch spirits at all when you first met me, you ought to view this as a sign of progress.”
“Suit yourself.” Hunt shrugged. “Now what’s so all-fired important that you had to bother me after-hours?”
“This.” Daniel pushed a leather portfolio across the table toward Leroy.
The cowboy stared at the bag uncomprehendingly and then at the diviner’s son. “What y’all want me to do with that?”
“Help me understand what it means,” the scion replied.
The cowboy scrutinized the bag, his eyes immediately drawn to the gold leaf on the front that spelled “Bowdeen.”
“This belonged to Chopper?” he asked in surprise.
“Yes. I visited the Melbourne compound while I was in Australia. The archwarden said Mr. Bowdeen left this behind.”
“Well, it ain’t like he’s gonna need it where he is now.” Hunt guffawed.
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Returning the bag to its owner isn’t my concern. It’s the paperwork inside. I need your help to...” He hesitated. “...connect the dots.”
“I ain’t no good with puzzles, boy,” Leroy demurred.
“This is a special kind of puzzle.” Daniel opened the case and drew out several sheets of paper. They appeared to be blueprints. “One I’m sure you’ll understand far better than I do.”
Leroy leaned over the table and peered at the pages in the dim light. The layout seemed vaguely familiar.
“This is the floorplan for
