by Kathi Daley
“Sunrise should be in about five minutes,” he said. “Let’s just stand back and wait for the show.”
They sat down in one of the pews and waited for the sky to first light and then the sun to peek in through the first of the windows.
“Wow,” she gasped at the colors that reflected off the walls. “It’s just, wow.” She stood up and began to walk around the church to view the spectacular event from several different angles. “I expected this to be pretty amazing, but I’d say it’s spectacular.”
“It is,” said an old man who seemed to have appeared at the back of the church. “I come here almost every morning to witness what I have come to consider the highlight of my day.”
“You live in town?” Michael asked the short, thin man with dark skin that looked like leather and thick hair as white as snow.
He nodded. “All my life. My name is Manuel.”
“I’m Michael, and this is Harper.”
She reached out to shake the man’s hand. “It really is amazing to find these fabulous windows in such a modestly constructed church. I sense there must be a story behind the dichotomy.”
Manuel nodded. “The windows initially were built for a church high up on the mountain. They were a gift from a man named Theodore Madison, a merchant who was passing through here when he fell in love with a local girl who stole his heart but refused to leave with him. Madison was willing to give up his life of privilege to marry his Anastasia, who, at the time, lived in the mining camp with her father. The merchant was very much in love, but he was used to finer things, so he spruced up the church where his true love wanted to exchange their vows and had stained-glass windows brought here from Boston. Once word got out about the church with the beautiful windows that was so close to heaven that, if you were quiet, you could hear the angels sing, people began to visit it from all over the country to see the windows and, they hoped, hear the choir of God.”
“That’s beautiful.” Harper put a hand to her chest. “How did the story end? Did the merchant and his bride live happily ever after?”
“They did. They lived a long life and had many children and are buried in the little cemetery just outside town.”
“So how did the windows end up in this church?” Michael asked.
“Eventually, folks stopped making the trip up the mountain to visit the church. The town priest at the time hated to see the windows decay as the building had, so he had the windows moved down the mountain and installed them here.”
The sun had risen in the sky to the point where it no longer shone through the windows when the man had finished his tale. Harper didn’t think the ledger was here. There was nowhere for Isabella to have hidden it. Still, she was glad they had been here in time for the sunrise. She wouldn’t have wanted to miss the light show for anything in the world.
Harper and Michael wanted to find a place to have breakfast before they continued their search. It occurred to her that given the fact that Garcia’s compound was so close to this little town, he might have people keeping an eye on the visitors who came and went from it. Harper didn’t think they had done anything that would give away their hand so far, but they needed to tread lightly regardless.
“The breakfast burrito sounds good,” Michael said when they located a tiny eatery that offered a bar with stools but no tables.
“You might want to ask for the salsa on the side after last night,” she warned him. “I think I am going to try the poached eggs with chili verde.”
Michael rang a bell that alerted the sole employee, who seemed to be both waitress and cook. He placed their order, paid for it, and then poured them each a cup of coffee from the pot that appeared to be self-serve. “So, do we tackle the other church in town or the one on the mountain?”
She paused, looking out the window. It was overcast, but any precipitation had been held at bay for the moment. “My gut tells me that the old church on the mountain is our best bet. It seems that it would be too risky to hide something in a church that is currently in use. No matter how well you hid it, it seems as if it would be only a matter of time until it was found.”
“Maybe we would have better luck at finding the location on the map if we could figure out the rest of the clue.”
“What does it say exactly again?”
“There are several numbers that Ben and I were not able to translate, followed by the words ‘where angels sing,’ and then several more letters and symbols that we also weren’t able to decipher, followed by ‘for all eternity.’”
“What makes the words you were able to translate different from the ones you weren’t?”
“From what Ben and I could determine, there are four sets of clues, each with a different type of encryption. We suspect each set of clues contains three words because that was the pattern in the ones we were able to figure out, but there isn’t any spacing, so we didn’t know that for certain. The first clue is a set of numbers. I suspect it is some sort of substitution encryption, but if it is, it is not as easy as A equals one and B equals two.”
“So there are perhaps three words followed by ‘where angels sing.’ After that are maybe three more words you haven’t translated, and then ‘for all eternity’?”
Michael nodded.
“It looks like it might rain today. Maybe instead of heading up the mountain, we should make a real effort to decode the rest of the message. I know you and Ben worked on it for several hours, but that isn’t all that long in the grand scheme of things.”
Michael nodded. “Okay. I’m up for that.”
“The two sections you did manage to decode…what type of encryption was used? Was it supersecret government stuff?”
Michael frowned. “Actually, no. In fact, the two sections we figured out were coded using methods that one might find in a kids’ book about coding and decoding messages.”
Harper raised a brow. “Maybe that in itself is a clue. Maybe Isabella or whoever helped her was using a kids’ book to encrypt the message.”
Michael’s eyes lit up. “Given the trouble we have had decoding it, that thought never occurred to us, but you may be right.”
“So, the first set of symbols are numbers that you suspect correspond to words, although you have not yet found the key.”
Michael nodded. “That is correct. The second set was a combination of shapes and numbers that I realized was a simple substitution code using high-frequency letters.”
Harper made a face that conveyed the fact that she wasn’t following what Michael meant.
“Let’s say that you notice that part of the code is a heart. The heart seems to show up frequently, so if you’re guessing that you’re dealing with a substitution cypher, the heart would represent a high-frequency letter such as E. The idea is to randomly assign an E to every placeholder where there is a heart and then look for the next most frequently used symbol, which might be a figure eight on its side, and assign the letter A to it. Basically, you make a series of logical guesses until a pattern appears. It is not an exact science and it works better with longer messages, but Ben and I were able to use the trial-and-error method to figure out that the second set of characters most likely translates to ‘where angels sing.’”
Harper paused when the woman brought their breakfast. When she had gone back to the kitchen, Harper jumped back in to their conversation. “Okay, so the first set of clues you have not yet been able to decode are numbers. The next set was presented as numbers and symbols that you believe translate to ‘where angles sing.’ What does the third set look like?”
“Dots and dashes. At first, we thought it might be Morse code, but it made no sense when translated using it.”
“Maybe it is a binary code. The dots could be zeros and the dashes could be ones, or vice versa.”
He raised a brow. “That’s a possibility. We’ll try it when we get back to the motel.”
“And what about the last set of clues? The set you translated as ‘for all eternity’? What cypher method d
id you use to decode that line?”
“The code was created using a simple grid. It took a while to fill it in with corresponding letters, but after quite a bit of trial and error, we thought we were finally able to figure it out.”
“You know what we need?”
“A supercomputer?”
“What I suggested before: a kids’ book of simple codes.”
“I didn’t see a bookstore in town.”
“We can get a book online. I know we aren’t supposed to log on to the internet using the new computer Ben gave us, but maybe we can borrow a computer from the desk clerk at the motel or use one of the burner cells.”
“I have a better idea. I noticed a small library just as we drove into town. It might not have the book we need on the shelves, but I bet we can get the librarian to pull it up on her computer.”
Harper was surprised at how well the small library was stocked considering the size of the town and the lack of local population. There was a book on cyphers for kids in the children’s section, which they wanted to check out, only to be stopped at the desk because they didn’t have a library card.
“Would it be possible for us to get a temporary card?” Harper asked.
“I’ll need two pieces of ID, one of which must be a photo ID,” the librarian responded.
Harper looked at Michael. She doubted that he would want to risk providing his ID just to borrow the book.
“How about I buy the book?” Michael suggested.
“This is a library, not a bookstore. We lend books; we do not sell them.”
“We understand that you are hesitant to lend the book to someone who is just passing through town, but how about if you sell it to us and use the money to purchase new books?” Harper asked.
“A hundred dollars,” the librarian said.
Harper gasped. “For a book that costs less than twenty dollars new and probably isn’t even all that popular?”
The woman crossed her arms over her chest and didn’t seem inclined to give an inch.
“Okay a hundred bucks.” Michael counted out five twenties into her hand, and they left the library with their new treasure.
Chapter 16
Michael frowned as he considered the dots and dashes on the page in front of him. The idea that this could be a binary code made sense, but it would have taken more than someone with a children’s book on codes to figure out what to substitute. “We have discussed the fact that Isabella, a teenager without much education, probably would have needed help to come up with even the low-level code described in this book.”
“Yeah. So?” Harper turned to Michael.
“I can’t help but wonder if we aren’t making this a lot more complicated that it really is.”
She sat down on the edge of Michael’s bed. He was seated at the room’s small desk, but there was only one chair. “Perhaps. But we have considered the fact that Isabella had help.”
“That’s true. I suppose she could even have found someone with a better education to help her. I suppose we may never know.”
“All we can do at this point is follow our hunches and see where they lead. Where do we go now?”
“Let’s start with the dots and dashes,” Michael suggested. “We’ll try switching them to ones and zeros and then I’ll run them through a program that will convert the numbers to binary code and we’ll see what we come up with.”
“Do you have to log on to the internet to do that?”
Michael shook his head. “No. I have the necessary software loaded onto the computer.”
It took a bit of work, but eventually he was able to determine that her hunch was correct, and the third set of clues translated into “their heavenly chorus.”
“So now we have several words, followed by ‘where angels sing their heavenly chorus for all eternity.’” Harper frowned. “Does that even help us?”
“Not really, unless the church is the clue. Maybe if we can translate the first section that seems to be a number sequence, we can figure it out.”
Harper picked up the book. “I’ll start looking for codes that use numbers to encrypt messages.”
“I’m going to call Ben to tell him what we have. Now that we suspect that we are looking for simple cyphers, he might be able to help more. He does, after all, have access to the internet.”
“Let me talk to him before you hang up. I think the time has come for someone to tell my mother something. She doesn’t tend to worry about me, but it has been a long enough time since we’ve spoken that she must be looking for me to arrive in Moosehead any day.”
Harper looked through the book while Michael spoke to Ben. She couldn’t help but smile when she overheard him ask about Princess. Like her, the idea of children probably hadn’t entered his mind yet, but also like her, the tiny baby with the huge brown eyes and thick black hair had wormed her way into his heart.
She wondered what would become of the baby. Would she be allowed to grow up in a normal family, living a normal life, or would the circumstances of her birth haunt her until her dying day?
“Hey, Ben,” Harper said when Michael handed her the phone. “How is the baby?”
“She’s great. The other kids adore her, and she seems to like it when they talk to her. Holly swears that she smiled last night, but I reminded her that babies that young can’t really smile.”
“I bet she did smile. She’s a very smart baby.”
Ben chuckled. “Yes, she is.”
“And how is the puppy?”
“He is in doggy heaven between the kids and the other dogs on the farm. Joe and Reggie absolutely adore him. We have six dogs, but the last time we had a puppy must have been when they were babies.”
Harper smiled. “I’m glad everyone is doing well. I miss them. Which, for me, I know, is odd.”
“It’s not odd at all. I want you to know that I will take good care of both of them until we can figure everything out and are able to discuss permanent solutions.”
“I know. And I appreciate it. Listen, the real reason I wanted to talk to you is because I think we are at the point where my mom is going to start expecting me. I’m sure by now she has been texting and leaving voice mails on the cell phone I no longer have. I’m afraid that she will end up calling in the National Guard if we don’t tell her something.”
“I agree. I don’t know if Garcia’s goons have made the connection between you and the Moosehead Hathaways, but I don’t think we should risk having you call your house. I’ll talk to her to let her know what is going on. If she is really worried, I’ll arrange a secure call between the two of you.”
“Thanks, Ben. After my being in the Army for a decade, I think my mom has learned not to worry about me as much as she might about my sisters, but given the fact that I have been totally off the radar, I suspect she might be starting to become concerned.”
“It sounds like you might be close to finding the ledger. Or at least decoding the message. If things go smoothly, you could be home in a few days.”
“Have you figured out what we should do with the ledger if we do find it?” she asked.
“Michael and I discussed bringing in Roy Griswold of the FBI. He’s a good guy who has helped me out many times in the past. I think we can trust him to complete the mission when we have the ledger.”
“Okay, but he doesn’t need to know about Princess or where she is, does he? We can share the part about the ledger and the notes Isabella left on the thumb drive, but I don’t want to mention the baby until we are a hundred percent certain that the danger has passed.”
“Agreed. Michael wants me to wait one more day to contact him, which I have agreed to do. I think it is important that the two of you watch your back. Garcia’s compound is not far from the town where you are staying. You have to assume that he might very well have spies everywhere. Be careful who you talk to and what you say.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be careful. I guess we’ll talk to you again tomorrow.”
Af
ter she hung up with Ben, Harper turned to Michael. “Problem?” she asked when she saw him frowning at the computer.
“No. I’m just trying to figure out this number sequence. I really do think we might be dealing with a substitution cypher of some sort, but I’ve tried several combinations, and so far, the letters I come up with don’t seem to translate into words.”
Harper got up and crossed the room. She pulled aside the curtain and looked out the window. As they had expected, it had started to rain. And not a nice, gentle rain but a downpour. It was a good idea, it seemed, that they had decided to work on the code in the motel today and put off the trip up the mountain a day. “Maybe it isn’t a substitution cypher after all. Maybe it is something else.”
“I suppose the numbers could be associated with an algorithm that could lead us to a location. Without the key, though, it will be close to impossible to figure out which algorithm to use.”
Harper turned away from the window. “Assuming that Isabella left the clues and the map on the thumb drive with the intention of communicating this information on the ledger to someone else, who do you think it was? The file that had the video of Agent Beaverton stating that a mole had been discovered and he planned to move Isabella had been added to the thumb drive just prior to when they took to the road. Do we believe the other files were added before that and, if so, how long before they fled?”
“All good questions. I’m sure it would help up to figure out what the clues might mean if we knew who the intended audience was.”
Harper sat back down on the corner of the bed. “We suspect that Isabella escaped Garcia’s compound with the ledger. She most likely realized having it would give her leverage when it came time to work out a deal with US officials. We know that she managed to get hooked up with the DEA at some point. We suspect, given the fact that the ledger was not on her when she died and the map she left behind seems to lead to the ledger, that she hid it somewhere shortly after escaping rather than bringing it with her. It seems that Agent Beaverton was assigned to stay with Isabella until her baby was born. Furthermore, from the video on the thumb drive and the fact that she was still with him when she died, it appears she trusted him to keep her and the baby safe.”