Hidden Thrones

by Scalzo, Russ

  “Good morning, guys. Sorry it took so long. It’s crazy in here today.”

  Emily put two cups on the table and poured their coffee. “So, what’s all the mystery about? Are you alright, Frank?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m good.”

  Emily raised her eyebrow and said, “You guys are up to something. I can feel it. Whatever it is please, be careful, okay? I gotta go. Do you guys know what you want?”

  Frank took a sip of his coffee. “I’ll have two eggs over easy, a side of bacon and rye toast, please.”

  Jack looked up at her and said, “You look great in that outfit.”

  Frank just rolled his eyes.

  Emily smiled. “Thank you, honey. Order, please. Before I get fired.”

  “I’ll have the same but with wheat toast.”

  Once Emily was gone, Jack asked, “How much do you think they know?”

  “I’m not sure, but my inside source tells me they have already linked you to me, so our meeting this morning isn’t giving them anything new, but I am worried about Emily. After all, honey,” Frank tilted his head and fluttered his eyes, “you seem to be so much in love.”

  Jack shook his head and took a deep breath. “There is definitely something wrong with you. You do know that, right? We’re sitting here talking about the fact that a very powerful man is prying into our private lives, and you still have jokes. What do you think he would do? Would he really come after Emily? Do you think our lives in danger?”

  Frank shrugged, looking worried. “I don’t know. Maybe we should lie back for a while. There are other cases we have to look into. Maybe if the trail goes cold, he will think it’s a dead-end and leave us alone.”

  “I don’t know if I like that idea.” Jack was skeptical. “Do we really want him to become President? What if we stop investigating, he gets elected, and then he comes after us with guns blazing as the President of the United States?” Jack thought for a moment, and then continued, “We need another plan.”

  “Okay, gentleman. Breakfast is served.” Emily looked at Jack, then at Frank. “Don’t think I don’t know you stop talking each time I come to the table. You better tell me all about it later, Mr. Bennett.”

  Jack just smiled. “Your hair looks amazing today.”

  Emily gave him a look. “Eat your eggs,” she said with a sly smile and then went back to the kitchen to get her next order.

  Jack looked back at Frank who had a very serious look on his face. “You better be careful what you say to her. She might freak out on you. This isn’t the kind of thing that most average people have to deal with.”

  Jack turned and looked at Emily waiting on the table on the other side of the room. “She’s not your average girl. Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.” Collecting himself he refocused. “Okay, here’s what I think. I agree we need to take a break from our Wellsenburg investigation, but a short break - just for one case and then we go back at it. If this guy, whoever he is, wants to follow us around, then let him. Maybe he will get bored and move on like you say.”

  Frank finished the last bit of eggs on his plate, took another sip of his coffee, and said, “Fine. I can go along with that, but with on one condition. If it doesn’t go away, we lay off until it does.”

  Jack thought about it for a second. “How about we play it by ear. Let’s agree to reevaluate after this next case.”

  Frank knew he wasn’t going to win this discussion, so he reluctantly agreed, “Fine. Let’s move on.”

  Frank bent down and pulled his iPad out of his briefcase.

  “This next case is a little unusual, in the way that a so-called professional ghost hunter team who has been on TV recently is involved.”

  “Really? How involved?” Jack asked, skeptically. Jack was not comfortable with anyone else being involved. If, in fact there was paranormal activity going on, he knew what that meant. He didn’t want any cameras or people around that would try to turn a spiritual moment into some kind of three-ring circus. He leaned over the table and asked, “Is this our case or are we sharing it with this ghost hunter team? You know how I feel about that.”

  “No, the FBI has taken over the case. They wanted to go back, but they were denied. They were originally called in to verify a ghost sighting and paranormal activity in an old abandoned inn outside of Merrifield, Virginia. One of their cameramen was attacked, was seriously injured, and is still in the hospital. The agency heard about it and assigned the case to us.”

  “What exactly do they do?”

  “I have the file right here on my iPad. It’s best if I just read the blurb they have on their website. The Virginia Paranormal Society’s sole purpose is to help those experiencing paranormal activity by investigating its claims in a professional and confidential manner. We use the latest in paranormal equipment and techniques, and with these techniques, we have changed the field of paranormal investigating.

  Jack smiled commenting, “Well, that’s quite a statement. So when we go in to investigate, there will be no cameras, no audience, and no interference, right?”

  “Stop worrying. This is an FBI investigation. Remember, any interference is against the law. The only audience we will have is our tagalong spy. I’m sure he’ll find it more than interesting. They would like us to look in to it ASAP. How about tomorrow? I can pick you up around nine if that works?”

  Jack was still a little leery about all the attention this case was getting, but he trusted Frank and knew he was a pro. “Yeah, okay. That sounds good. I assume this guy knows where I live already so there is no use in trying to hide it.”

  Frank smiled and shook his head. “You know it’s the twenty-first century, right? He knew where you lived ten seconds after he linked us together.”

  Just then, Emily walked up to their table and asked, “Are you gentleman finished?” She looked at Jack, then Frank, and then at back at Jack. “I mean with your breakfast.”

  Jack looked up at her and said, “You’re too funny. I’ll fill you in later.” Jack stood up, took the check from her hand, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “I got this. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Frank,” Jack said as he turned and headed for the cashier. Frank looked at Emily. “Take care, Emily. Don’t let Jack drive you crazy. He can do that, you know.”

  “I’m working on it, Frank. Whatever you guys are up to, please be careful.”

  Frank winked at her and smiled, then turned and walked out the door. As he walked down the sidewalk to his car, he knew he was being watched, but didn’t want to tip off whoever it was who was following him. It wasn’t the first time Frank had dealt with this kind of thing. At least that made him feel he had the upper hand. He liked it that way.

  Inside CJ’s, Jack paid the check and watched from a distance to see if he could catch a glimpse of the person who was following them. He waited and watched as Frank got into his car and drove off. At first he didn’t see anyone, but then he noticed a man sitting in a late, model gray, Acura sedan about two hundred feet from where Frank had parked his car. The man watched Frank drive away, then pulled out and headed off in the same direction. Jack immediately picked up his phone and called Frank.

  Frank was listening to his favorite album when the call came in. He had a feeling that Jack had seen the guy take off after he left.

  “Well? Did you get a good look at him?” Frank asked immediately when he answered the call on Bluetooth.

  “How did you know I was calling about that?”

  “Yeah, I picked him up as soon as I got out of CJ’s. He’s not very good, whoever he is. He won’t be too happy because I’m headed back to the office in D.C. Too bad he came all this way for nothing. You keep your eye out, buddy. Things are going to get real interesting from here on out.”

  Jack laughed as he asked, “Like they haven’t been interesting up until now? Do you think this guy is dangerous? Shouldn’t you let someone know what’s going on?”

  “Not yet. I don’t think this guy is going to try and do anyth
ing to a federal agent. You just be careful and take care of that beautiful girlfriend you’ve got. You know, you’re not getting any younger.”

  “Yeah, thanks for the reminder. I’ll be careful. You do the same.” Jack hesitated for a moment and said, “Listen, why don’t you call me when you get to the office. I just want to know everything is good, you know?”

  “What? Now you’re my mother or something? It comes with the territory, Jack. You know, if you’re going to get like this every time we run into a little trouble, we’re going to have to stop seeing each other.”

  “Very funny. Fine. Forgive me for being concerned. I’m not a super FBI agent like you. This stuff freaks me out, okay? I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Jack put his phone back in his pocket and headed home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  A steady rain fell relentlessly across northern Virginia as Frank’s car pulled up in front of Jack’s house. The weather forecast predicted thunderstorms and heavy rain off and on all through the day, which only added to the atmosphere of the day’s assignment.

  Jack locked his front door and ran out to the car trying his best not to get soaked. He opened the car door and jumped in.

  “Unbelievable. We’re on our way to investigate a ghost sighting and it’s pouring rain with thunder and lightning in the forecast. You can’t write this stuff.”

  Frank shrugged his shoulders. “Some people do.”

  Jack couldn’t wait to ask, “So how did you make out yesterday? Did your shadow follow you all day?”

  “I don’t think so. Once we got back into D.C. I think he gave up for the day. I’m not sure if we’ll see him today, but you never know. I feel a face-to-face coming on real soon. I’m not going to let this go on for too much longer. How did you make out with Emily last night?” Frank quickly caught himself and added, “You know what I mean.”

  “She’s a great girl. I told her about the person tailing you and she didn’t seem too surprised. I guess she figured since you’re an FBI agent, things like that happen all the time. Oh yeah, and let me tell you - that girl can kiss.”

  Frank glanced over at Jack. “You didn’t tell her that we’re both under surveillance, did you?”

  Jack made a face and shrugged his shoulders. “Why get her all freaked out before we really know what’s going on? Maybe it will just blow over. They won’t find anything and that will be it.”

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This guy is connected to Senator Wellsenburg, remember? I don’t know how far he will go to find out what he wants. You need to tell her what’s going on.”

  Jack knew he was right. He loved Emily, and of course he wanted to keep her safe, but he didn’t want her to live in fear and have to be looking over her shoulder every five minutes either. He stared straight ahead for a moment then said, “Yeah, I know. I’ll tell her tonight over dinner. If she sticks with me through all this then I guess there’s no doubt that God handpicked her just for me.”

  Frank laughed. “Are you kidding? This is my job and I can’t believe the things you get me into. I told you from the beginning at CJ’s that the girl likes you, my friend. A woman can fall in love with you, but it doesn’t always mean she likes you. You buy this girl a big diamond ring and make it forever.”

  Jack couldn’t believe that he just said that. “You know I’ve only known her for a short while, right? I can’t ask her to marry me just like that.”

  “You love her, right?”

  Jack smiled as Emily’s face flooded into his mind. There was no doubt about how he felt. “Yeah, I do,” he said with certainty.

  Frank continued, “You told her you talk to demons and angels and she still can’t get enough of you. Let me ask you this - have you slept with her?”

  Jack snapped his head around and glared at Frank. “What? No, I haven’t slept with her! You know how I feel about that. That’s what I would have tried to do in my old life, but that’s not going to happen until we’re married.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t wait too long. I see the way you look at each other. There’s fire there, brother. Just saying.”

  “You’re too much. Can we change the subject?”

  Frank nodded. “So, what do you think is going on in this place?”

  “I don’t know, but a lot of this stuff is usually bogus. You know, people love to say they saw this or that and it turns out to be nothing but their overly active imaginations. We might be wasting our time or... ”

  Frank jumped in, “Or, we could be dealing with a real live demon. All I know is something or someone attacked that cameraman. That part we know is real.”

  Jack took a deep breath, sat back, and rested his head on the headrest and closed his eyes. He didn’t like to think there was a demon around every corner, but unfortunately that seemed to be the case lately.

  Frank knew Jack needed some time to get his thoughts together and he needed a little time to clear his own mind as well. He tuned in to his favorite satellite station and the two men continued silently down the highway on their way to Hardon’s Inn.

  Half an hour later, they came to the turnoff for Hardon’s Inn. Frank nudged Jack who had fallen asleep after staying up late the night before with Emily.

  “Hey, we’re here. At least, I think we are. I almost drove by it. Take a look at that sign, will you?”

  An old beat up wooden sign hung from one side on a worn out post that would have fallen over years ago if not for the overgrown brush that had wrapped itself around it. The sign swayed in the windswept rain like a scene out of an old Alfred Hitchcock film from the 1950s. Frank turned down the long, dirt driveway that the heavy rainstorm had transformed into a trail of mud and slop. There was an old style, ranch fence on either side of the driveway, which led to a large oval pull around in the front of the old stone inn. It was a Georgian style, two-story building with multi-paned sliding sash windows in a 6 light over 6 light pattern, many of which had broken glass, and a gray slate roof that appeared to be in decent shape.

  Jack scanned the building as they pulled up to the front of the inn. “Wow, are you kidding me? Look at this place. Are we sure it’s not going to fall down the minute we get inside?”

  Frank stopped the car, but kept it running if, for no other reason but to keep the wipers going so they could see out the windshield. The rain continued to pour down and Jack took note of the lightning off in the distance.

  Jack turned and looked at Frank like a lawyer cross-examining a witness. Frank was notorious for leaving out a detail or two.

  “Is there anything else I should know before we go in there?”

  “Well, the reason the other team was called in was because a real estate agent named Nancy Stonehouse...”

  Jack interrupted. “You’re making this up. Nancy Stonehouse? Really? Can you please be serious? I need you to be serious right now.”

  Frank laughed. “I am serious. I’m telling you the truth, he said as he looked at Jack’s face and started to laugh hysterically. The last couple of days had been so intense that it was like a dam of emotions had broken loose. Jack kept staring at Frank, which only made him laugh that much more. Jack couldn’t keep a straight face any longer either so he burst out laughing along with him.

  Finally, Frank got a hold of himself and said with a big smile, “I’m not kidding. I’m telling the truth. This real estate agent came to look the property over before listing it, and she said she heard a growling sound coming from the second floor. When she looked up, she said she saw a dark image peering out the window. She called the police and they searched the whole building, but they came up with nothing. When the story got out, that’s when the paranormal team found out about it and showed up to do their thing.”

  “Wow! That would have been nice to know before this. Maybe if you weren’t so busy getting into my love life, you could have shared that information.”

  “Maybe,” Frank shrugged.

  Frank reached around to the backseat and grabbed two flashlights.
He handed one to Jack, then pulled his 9mm Luger pistol out of his shoulder holster and gave it a quick check. Jack gave him a glance.

  “Do you think you’ll need that?”

  “Well if I do, I want to make sure it’s ready to go. We don’t know who or what is in there, so better safe than sorry.”

  “Okay, you’ve checked your weapon, now let’s ready our other weapons. We need to pray before we go in there and hopefully this rain will let up a little bit before we get out of the car. I prefer not walking around soaked, if possible.”

  Frank placed his gun back in its holster. “I’m still learning how to pray you know, but I’ve been working on it.”

  Jack smiled and said, “There are no magic words. God just wants to hear what you have to say. Remember, it’s a matter of the heart.”

  Jack and Frank sat in the car and prayed intensely for about fifteen minutes, asking God to guide and anoint them as they searched the inn for whatever attacked the other team. Although Jack had faced similar situations a number of times, he always felt totally dependent on the power of the Spirit of God to get him through.

  The rain had let up slightly, but the lightning and thunder seemed to intensify as they approached the large wooden door. Frank pulled out the key and opened the door. They looked at each other and both wondered why anyone would bother to lock the door considering the state of the windows. Frank braced his gun and flashlight in his two hands, sweeping the area from one side to another as they entered the foyer. Jack prayed silently for discernment as his eyes scanned his surroundings.

  The air, which had been sweet outside, became stale and reeked of decay. There was a double staircase that went up to an open hallway that connected the second floor rooms. Frank motioned to Jack for him to follow up the stairs. If there was someone up there, they weren’t going to surprise them because each step moaned and groaned from age and neglect. As they reached the top of the stairs, they heard an eerie sound coming from one of the rooms to their left. They walked slowly down the hall until they got to room 204. The door was only open a crack, but they could clearly hear a low-pitched whining. Frank motioned to Jack that he was going to kick the door open the rest of the way.