* * *
They rode back to the Gupta house and rang the doorbell. Mark answered the door.
“Is your dad here?” asked Kevin.
Mark looked at them as if the question was strange.
“No, he’s gone to work again.”
Adam and Kevin looked at each other, and Mark picked up on the look.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Come out and we’ll tell you,” said Adam.
Mark followed as they walked south from his house. They stopped in front of the old lumber yard and sat on the step of what used to be the office. No houses were nearby, so they could speak freely without being overheard.
Adam and Kevin filled Mark in on their visit with George.
“Thanks for not taking me, really. I’ve heard all those stories and seen his pictures a thousand times,” said Mark.
“So, do you recognize this?” asked Adam as he brought out the pin and showed it to Mark.
Mark was clearly shocked. “No way! Where did you find this? Not from George?”
“No, Adam found it at home. It was his dad’s. He even has a picture of his dad wearing it,” said Kevin.
“Just look at it! It’s the one in George’s picture!” exclaimed Mark. “That makes me re-think all the stories he told me. I wish I would have listened more. What if there is a treasure here in Grayson?” He paused for a second, and the others could see another thought take over his face. “Whatever happened to the other towns could happen here!” he exclaimed.
Adam and Kevin nodded in agreement, having already thought the same.
Adam asked “Has your dad ever said anything to you about these stories?”
“Why would my dad have anything to say?” asked Mark.
“George seemed to think that because you are direct descendants of one of the Founders, your Dad would know about this pin and possibly even the secret behind it,” said Adam.
“Nope. If he knows something, he sure hasn’t filled me in,” said Mark.
They sat in silence for a few moments, each boy deep in thought.
After a while, Kevin broke the silence. “What should we do now?”
“I’m not sure,” said Adam.
“Let’s go for a walk. I think better when I’m moving,” said Kevin.
“Well, I think better when I’m sitting,” Mark replied.
“You must think a lot then,” Kevin shot back.
Mark was about to argue with Kevin when Adam stood.
“I agree with Kev. Let’s go for a walk,” said Adam. “Is it ok if we leave our bikes at your house?”
Mark nodded.
Adam crossed the road and walked toward the hotel. Mark and Kevin caught up and walked beside him, one on each side.
Town Secrets - The Book of Adam 1 Page 4