by R. D. Brady
Jake nodded. “And the mother is obsessed with the Fallen. It’s safe to say that that’s where Nathaniel got his ideas.”
Laney nodded. “But what about his dad? Henry said the mother’s symptoms started to show around the same time she realized his involvement with the Council.”
“So what does that mean?”
Laney paused, rolling the thoughts over in her mind. “The mom thinks the Fallen are abominations. The father makes his money from the abominations. The son is caught in between, but I think we could say he’s more influenced by the mother who raised him.”
“So what does that tell us?”
Laney shook her head. “I don’t know. But I feel like that’s important.”
The phone rang and Laney picked it up. “Henry. What did you find out?”
“Well, there might be something.”
Across the hangar, a group of men in black special ops uniforms appeared. Must be more SIA. Jake indicated he’d deal with them and headed over to them. Laney kept her focus on the conversation with Henry.
“How old was Nathaniel when his mom took him?” she asked.
“Eight.”
Laney paused. Long enough for the father to have some influence. “Did Northgram share anything about his Council business with him?”
“Yeah. Actually, he had just started to. That’s what seems to have set the mother off.”
“How so?”
“Remember how Linda told Jen the Smithsonian had been hiding evidence of the giants?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, Northgram said he used to take Nathaniel to the Smithsonian every weekend.”
An idea began to form in the far reaches of Laney’s mind, but she couldn’t quite reach it yet. The Smithsonian… something about the Smithsonian.
Henry continued. “He also said that Linda and Nathaniel used to go camping a lot at the Grand Canyon. They considered it ‘their church.’”
Laney pictured the three-hundred-mile-long canyon with its multicolored rock faces. A mile deep and eighteen miles wide, it was believed to have been created by wind, water, and volcanic activity—basically everything Mother Nature had in her toolbox.
“I can see that,” Laney admitted grudgingly. “But I don’t see how it helps.”
“It might,” Henry said. And then he explained about Northgram showing Nathaniel the Smithsonian find from the Grand Canyon.
Laney thought for moment, feeling the tingle of understanding crawling around at the edges of her brain. The Grand Canyon had a number of interesting rumors surrounding it. One of them involved ancient sites hidden within its caves. In fact, a number of the landscapes in the Grand Canyon retained Egyptian names: Isis Temple, Tower of Set, Tower of Ra, Horus Temple, Osiris Temple.
Suddenly she went still. “What exactly did Northgram show him?”
“Some large mummies and a giant Buddha with a lotus flower.”
“It’s the Grand Canyon City,” Laney exclaimed.
“Are you sure?” Henry asked, but Laney could hear the excitement in his voice.
“It has to be. I’ll explain it all later. Just get here.” Laney disconnected the call and sprinted for the lounge where everyone was gathered. She threw open the door.
“Everyone gear up. We’re heading to the Grand Canyon.”
Jake was the first to move. “You heard her. Move.”
There was a scramble of motion as each man and woman grabbed their gear and ran for the planes. Maddox grabbed Laney’s arm before she could do the same. She looked up at him.
“You’re sure?” he asked.
Laney nodded. “I’m sure. I’ll explain it on the plane.”
Maddox shook his head. “You’re sure, that’s good enough for me. I’ll go in the other plane. Contact me with the plan.” And with that Maddox ran for the second plane.
Laney hurried over to the first plane. Jake was already waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. She climbed them quickly and Jake pulled them up, locking the door. The engine was already running and the plane began taxiing for the runway before Laney had even taken her seat.
She buckled herself in as Jake sat down next to her. “Okay, so what did you learn?” he asked.
“Henry said that Northgram used to take Nathaniel to the Smithsonian. He showed him the artifacts that were taken from Grand Canyon City.”
“City? What city?” Jake asked.
Laney sat back. “Around 1909, a newspaper reporter named Kincaid was going down the Colorado River. He allegedly saw some interesting stratifications in the rock walls at one point along the river, and intrigued, he pulled ashore and started to climb. Once he got over an overhang, he spotted a cave entrance—a man-made cave entrance. He went inside and found a huge space that had been created inside the rock. And a number of artifacts that he couldn’t explain.”
“Such as?” Maddox asked.
“The walls were alleged to have been carved with writing similar to hieroglyphics. He found seeds, copper hooks, pottery, jewelry. And the place was huge, with multiple rooms off two main passages that were hundreds of feet long. They also found mummified cadavers, some of them giant-sized. Even a large statue that was alleged to have resembled Buddha holding a lotus flower.”
“But what does that have to do with the kids?” Jake asked.
There was so much energy running through Laney, she was bouncing in her seat. She was right. She knew she was right.
“There’s another legend about the Grand Canyon. It comes from the Hopi tribe. According to them, in the ancient past there was a giant cataclysm. But the Hopi were spared because ‘star beings’ led them to an underground hiding place where they waited out the tumult. For decades, even centuries, they waited. And then one day, when it was safe, they emerged. According to them, this was the dawn of the modern age. And hence—”
“That was the place where the Fallen first emerged in the modern world,” Jake said.
Laney nodded. “Exactly. It’s only recently that the Hopi revealed the location of that exit: the Grand Canyon. And some people say that the place that they hid out was Kincaid’s cave.”
“Great. So we head for the cave.”
Laney nodded, but her excitement began to wane.
Jake frowned. “What? This is good news.”
“The only problem is that no one knows exactly where in the Grand Canyon the cave is. According to Kincaid’s description, it’s forty-two miles up the Colorado River from El Tovar Crystal Canyon—a place no one has been able to identify. And the entrance can’t be seen from the river.”
“So what are you saying?” Jake asked
“I’m saying it’s going to be hard to find. So we need to come up with a plan.”
“But you’re sure this is place?”
Laney nodded. “If you were a diehard patriot and planned on sanctifying the ground, wouldn’t you choose the place where you thought the Fallen had first arrived in America?”
CHAPTER 70
Grand Canyon National Park, Nevada
Nathaniel stood on the bank of the Colorado River, gazing up at the rock face next to him. Then he looked down the long canyon, imagining what it must have been like to stand here a hundred years ago, not a soul around for maybe a hundred miles.
He breathed deeply. The Grand Canyon. The greatest expression of God’s love and power.
He’d been to the Grand Canyon many, many times. He and his mother had camped here at least once a year up until the time she had been institutionalized. He felt guilt tug at him. She had shown him the way. Put him on this path. He hadn’t wanted to put her in that place.
But she had gotten erratic. The hallucinations had become a daily occurrence. Then he hadn’t been able to find her for a week. He had been beside himself.
When finally he did find her, she’d been walking in the woods. She’d lost her shoes, her feet were scratched up, and some of the cuts had become infected. At that point he felt he had no choice but to call his father, who had made
the subsequent arrangements.
But even his mother’s hospitalization had been for a reason. It had forced him to rely on himself, to fine-tune his understandings. And it had given him an in with his father. He’d plucked his father’s strings of guilt like a virtuoso. It had clarified his mission, his role in God’s plan. It had led him to the Shepherd.
And it had led him here.
“Sir, we’re ready for you,” Tyrell said.
Nathaniel nodded and walked over to the base of the rock. The ladder had been bolted in place. There was a chance someone might discover it, but this part of the Canyon wasn’t traversed very often. They should be safe, at least long enough to finish their business.
Tyrell held up a climbing rope. “Sir, let me wrap this rope, just as a precaution.”
Nathaniel wanted to wave the rope away, but just the thought of being on that ladder gave him a sense of vertigo. So he stood still while Tyrell wrapped the rope around him, tying it so it would rest under his armpits while he climbed, the knot in front of him.
Tyrell took a step back. “All set, sir.”
Nathaniel nodded, took a deep breath, and began to climb. The first few feet were fine. But the higher he got, the more the wind pulled at him. Halfway up the climb, he had to stop. He rested his head on the rungs, sweat pooling on his brow.
He tried to swallow but his mouth was dry. The ladder shook, and Nathaniel clung even tighter.
“Reverend?” Tyrell called.
Nathaniel glanced down to see Tyrell just a few feet below him on the ladder. But one glance down was enough. He felt himself sway.
“It’s all right, Reverend. Just look straight in front of you. I’m right here. I won’t let you fall.”
The Reverend nodded and took a shaky step, then another. Tyrell coaxed him on, even at times helping to brace him as he reached for the next rung. It seemed to take an eternity, but finally Nathaniel reached the top. Four strong arms reached down and helped him over the edge.
He collapsed on his back, enjoying the feel of solid ground beneath him. He stared up at the bright blue sky, trying to get his shaking limbs to stop.
Slowly, he became aware of the low voices of his men, of their averted gazes. His cheeks flamed. Always the weakling.
He quickly pushed himself up to his knees.
Tyrell unhooked himself and dropped down to Nathaniel’s side. “Take it easy, sir. That’s right.”
Nathaniel wanted to shoo Tyrell away, but he couldn’t; he needed his help to stand.
Tyrell kept a strong grip on Nathaniel’s arms until the reverend could stand on his own, then stepped away. “Sir, the lights have been strung up. It’s all ready for you.”
Nathaniel tried to straighten his shoulders, recapture some dignity, even though he still burned at how weak he had been. As he looked ahead, he saw the entrance that had been hewn out of the rock thousands of years ago.
He looked around at all the men. I brought them here. These men might be physically powerful, but he was the one they looked to. The one they answered to.
He straightened even more. “Yes. Let’s see.”
Tyrell stepped aside and let the reverend lead the way. Nathaniel walked toward the cave entrance. The metal gate, placed there by the Smithsonian in 1909, lay open.
Excitement bubbled in Nathaniel’s stomach, along with a little fear. He thought of the hands that had carved it out and curled his lip. They had been here. They had defiled this place. And he, Nathaniel Grayston, would make it a holy place once again. And save himself and his followers while he was at it.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he stepped through the gates, whispering, “Let God’s will be done.”
CHAPTER 71
They arrived outside Las Vegas late that night. Dark had already fallen.
There was no way they were going to be able to investigate the Grand Canyon at night. The area within the canyon where they thought the cave was located had thousand-foot-tall cliff walls that were practically sheer. And there were no lights there at night. They would be seen from miles away if they initiated a search.
So Henry had arranged for everyone to bunk down for the night at a private airport. It wasn’t the Ritz, but no one cared. Everyone wanted to be ready to go at first light.
Laney pulled on a sweater as she walked outside the hangar. They might be in the desert, but the temperatures dropped precipitously at night. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get a little added warmth, and hoped the kids were warm too. The door cracked open behind her and Jake stepped out.
Laney smiled as Jake stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her. For a few moments she just closed her eyes and enjoyed the embrace, letting herself forget all the craziness surrounding them. When at last she opened her eyes again, she felt more centered, more confident. Jake always had a way of making her feel more capable, just by being around.
“Everything good inside?” Laney asked.
Jake nodded against the top of her head. “Yes. We’ll be ready to go by four a.m.”
“Good. We should probably get some sleep, although I don’t think—”
Headlights were coming their way, still distant but visible. Laney frowned. “We have any more people coming in?”
Jake stiffened and stepped back. “No. The only ones due are Jen and Henry, but they won’t be here for another hour.” He opened the door behind him and yelled. “Might be trouble.”
There was a flurry of noise and movement behind her, but Laney didn’t turn to see. She kept her eyes glued to the approaching headlights and drew her Beretta. Others poured out of the hangar and took up positions.
Maddox stepped up next to her. “Who the hell is that?”
“I have no idea.” Laney raised her weapon. A second later she felt the jolt of awareness, and then for just a moment she saw herself from far away.
“Oh, for the love of God,” she growled, lowering her weapon and gesturing for everyone else to do the same.
The van pulled to a stop in front of them and its side door slid open.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Laney said.
Lou hopped out of the van with a sheepish grin. “We thought we’d help.”
Cleo slipped out behind Lou and rubbed up against Laney. Laney rubbed behind the cat’s ears. “Hey, girl. It’s nice to see you too.”
Cleo was followed by Rolly, Theresa, and two other teens from the school. Yoni walked around from the driver’s seat, his hands up. “Hey, I didn’t even know they were on the plane until we landed. Someone helped them board through the cargo hold.”
“Who?” Laney asked.
Yoni nodded toward the passenger seat, and Danny stepped out.
Laney shook her head. “Seriously?” She fixed her eyes on Danny. “Et tu, Brute?”
“Sorry, Laney,” Danny said, but he met her gaze. “But they can help.”
“And you?” Laney asked.
Danny’s blush deepened, but he met her eyes. “I’m here to help, too.”
“Danny, I know you care about Max,” Laney said. “But you can’t help. It’s too dangerous.”
“From what I understand,” Danny said, “your problem is that you can’t find the cave.”
Laney looked at him for a moment, a little kernel of hope beginning to bloom in her chest. “Yes.”
Danny smiled. “Then perhaps I can help.”
“How?” Laney asked.
Danny’s smile turned into a grin. “I placed a tracker on Max.”
CHAPTER 72
Laney yawned as she crowded into the hangar office with Jake, Maddox, Henry, Danny, Yoni, Jen and Jordan. Henry and Jen had arrived a few minutes ago and they wasted no time setting up and figuring out their plan.
Laney glanced outside, where the rest of their group had bedded down for the night. She knew she needed to get some sleep as well, but the image of Max alone and scared made it impossible.
Jake unrolled a map of the area onto the desk in the small office, d
rawing her attention back to the group.
“Getting into the cave is going to be the hard part,” he said. “From Kincaid’s description, we know you can’t see the entrance until you’re almost eye level with it. Other than that, all we know is that it’s alleged to be forty-two miles down the Colorado River.”
“Well, that’s about par for the course for us,” Yoni mumbled.
Jake nodded. “Once we locate the cave, we’ll need to quietly take out any security outside. Laney and Maddox, you’ll take the group at the top. Yoni and I will take out any security at the river.”
“What about the cave entrance?” Jen asked. “They’ll have a guard there.”
Jordan nodded. “They’ll be my responsibility. Once we locate the cave, I’ll find a spot on the rock cliff opposite the cave and take out any sentries.”
Laney shook her head. “But if they see you or if you take out the sentries, they’ll know we’re there.”
“Laney,” Jordan said. “I won’t let them see me. And I won’t take any action until we’re about to go in, or if they notice what’s happening to the other guards.”
Laney nodded. Her stomach was still in knots, but she knew there was no other choice. There was only one entrance, and at some point, the people in the cave were going to realize what was happening. They just had to keep that from happening for as long as possible.
“That all sounds fine to me, as long as we can locate the cave in the first place,” Jen said.
Jake nodded toward Danny. “Well, thanks to Danny, we have a good chance of that.”
Danny ducked his head, a blush spreading across his face. Apparently, after the incident at the bookstore Danny had inserted a tracker into Max’s shoe.
Laney shook her head. Smart.
Of course, Danny could have just called them and told them that rather than bringing himself and his friends into danger, but Laney was so damn happy they had a way of tracking the kids, she couldn’t be upset about that. All she’d been able to do was hug Danny.