The Secret Crown

After inspecting the fake tree stump, they returned to the tunnel energized. None of them knew what they were going to find in the opposite direction, but they sensed it would be significant. Payne closed and sealed the hatch, then led them on their journey.

Whether it was the downhill slope of the tunnel or the adrenaline surging through their veins, their stride and pace increased significantly. Even Ulster, who tended to lumber along like a water buffalo, managed to stay on Payne’s heels. Before they knew it, they were passing the shaft to the grotto and covering new ground.

Jones spoke from the back. ‘Based on the angle of this tunnel, we’re heading directly towards the castle. I bet we’re underneath that trail we took from the arbour to the secret entrance.’

Heidi shook her head in amazement. ‘How do you do that?’

‘Do what?’ he asked.

‘Figure out which direction we’re walking underground?’

Jones shrugged. ‘It’s a gift.’

She glanced over her shoulder. ‘I’m serious.’

‘I am, too. I have a great internal compass. I just know which way we’re going. You can blindfold me, drug me and spin me around. When I wake up, I’ll know which way is north.’

Payne defended him. ‘Believe it or not, he’s telling the truth. We once did that to him at a bachelor party. He woke up in the back of a van in Tijuana but he knew how to get to Canada.’

She laughed. ‘That’s impressive.’

Jones waved off the compliment. ‘Actually, it was pretty easy. It was the middle of the afternoon, so I whipped out my sundial. Trust me, that thing casts a shadow like a sequoia.’

She didn’t miss a beat. ‘And yet, it’s not nearly as big as your ego.’

Jones couldn’t help but laugh. ‘You know what? You’re pretty cool for a white girl. I vote we don’t kill you at the end of this mission.’

Ulster chuckled. ‘Me, too.’

Payne looked back at her. ‘I’m still undecided.’

She gave him a playful shove. ‘It doesn’t matter. Majority wins.’

‘Fine! We’ll let you live, but you have to buy us dinner. This is your homeland after all. It’s the least you should do for your guests.’

She smiled at him. ‘Only if you return the favour when I visit the States.’

‘When is that?’ Payne wondered.

‘That depends. When are you going to invite me?’

Payne flirted back. ‘I guess that depends on what I have for dinner.’

She blushed and bit her lip, but didn’t respond – even though she wanted to.

After a lengthy pause, Ulster cleared his throat. ‘May I change the subject?’

‘Please,’ she said, relieved.

‘Speaking of compasses,’ Ulster said, completely oblivious to all the flirting that had been going on, ‘my moral compass is spinning out of control right now, and I’m not sure what to do. May I pose a dilemma to the group?’

Payne shone his flashlight down the tunnel in front of them. As far as he could tell, there was nothing on the horizon – no hatches, no intersections, no secret rooms – nothing but a concrete tunnel that sloped downhill and curved out of sight. Based on his earlier view of the castle grounds from the window of the chopper, he guessed there was at least 300 yards between the fake tree stump and the castle itself. Ultimately, if that’s where the tunnel was leading, they still had plenty of time to kill. ‘What’s bugging you?’

Ulster swallowed hard. ‘For argument’s sake, let’s say we discover a massive treasure at the end of this tunnel. If that happens, what are your intentions?’

‘What do you mean?’ Payne asked.

Ulster explained his concern. ‘We’re assuming Ludwig designed this tunnel for one purpose or another, which means we’re technically on castle grounds. I’d like to know what we intend to do if we discover a treasure?’

Jones laughed. ‘Do you even have to ask?’

‘I guess so, because that’s what I’m doing right now.’

‘Personally,’ Payne said, ‘I don’t think there’s a dilemma. We’re on castle grounds, so the treasure belongs to the estate. We’re not going to try to steal it.’

‘Do you mean it?’ Ulster demanded.

‘Of course I mean it! We’re not thieves.’

Ulster breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Oh, thank heavens! You had me worried there for a while when you wagered your share of the treasure. I thought perhaps you were serious.’

Jones shook his head in mock disgust. ‘Damn, Petr, I thought you knew us better than that. Did you really think we’d try to steal it?’

‘I hoped you wouldn’t, but I wasn’t quite sure if Kaiser had rubbed off on you.’

Payne laughed at the suggestion. ‘Believe it or not, Kaiser wouldn’t steal it either. At least, I don’t think he would steal it. Then again, well, who the hell knows?’ Payne hoped to ask Kaiser someday, assuming his friend was still alive. ‘But that’s neither here nor there. The point is we won’t try to steal it.’

Jones picked up from there. ‘And to make sure we don’t break any laws, we kidnapped an employee of the Bavarian Palace Department to watch our every move.’

Heidi smiled. ‘Is that why I’m here? To watch over you?’

‘That and your butt. You have a great butt.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Well, you should know – since you’re an ass.’

Jones laughed. ‘Heidi, you crack me up. We’re definitely not killing you.’

Sensing a face slap in Jones’s future, Payne slowed his pace and eventually stopped. Not only to bail out his friend, but also to clarify his previous statement. ‘Before we go any further, I’d like to make sure we’re in total agreement about our current objective. If we find a treasure at the end of this tunnel, the treasure belongs to Bavaria. Is that what we’re saying?’

Everyone nodded in unison.

Payne continued. ‘On the other hand, if we find something of value – like a map or a journal – that leads us off the castle grounds, then whatever treasure we might find is fair game. I don’t care if it’s six inches past the castle wall. If it isn’t on the castle grounds, we claim it as our own. Does that sound fair?’

Everyone nodded once again.

‘Are you sure?’ Payne demanded.

‘Yes, I’m sure,’ Ulster replied.

Heidi nodded. ‘Sounds fair to me.’

Jones stared at him. ‘Duh!’

Payne smiled and pointed over his shoulder. ‘Good, I’m glad to hear it. Because I spotted something up ahead.’

63

At the end of the tunnel, there was a thick, wooden door that had been closed since Ludwig’s death. Its handle was black and shaped like a swan. Payne brushed away a century’s worth of cobwebs and pounded on the wood. It felt as solid as steel. It was the type of door that would laugh at a battering ram. It was meant to keep people out.

Payne knew the odds were long, but he tried the latch.

As expected, the door was locked.

Jones patted him on the shoulder. ‘I believe that’s my job.’

Payne suddenly remembered the golden key they had discovered inside the statue of cupid. The bow of the key resembled the swan on the door handle. With any luck, it would get them access to the room. ‘I believe you’re right.’

They switched positions without complaint while the others looked on. Enjoying the group’s attention, Jones milked the moment for all it was worth. He stuck the key in the hole, then pulled back his hand and blew on his fingertips like he was preparing to crack a safe. The tension in the tunnel was so great that Heidi linked her elbow with Ulster’s and buried her face on his shoulder. She simply couldn’t bear to look. Finally, after a few more seconds