The Secret Page
Page 35
“That’s not the point, sis,” Tripp said, seeming to understand what Jack was saying. “There must be a purpose to that anomaly—and I’m guessing it’s related to why the one over the Gulf waters is being kept in check.”
Jack was impressed with his son’s quick grasp of matters. “Tripp is absolutely correct. You see, there are two ends to this wormhole. When the guild had my brother sabotage the device, those of us left alive had to quickly slap a bandage on the situation. Dr. Dasinger, without a working Trapdoor Key to stabilize the rupture, had to reverse the parameters of the experiment, thus holding both ends of the wormhole in stasis.”
“That’s fascinating,” said Tripp.
“No, that’s some other language,” Carson said. “Really, Dad? I’m used to Tripp speaking geek, not you.”
Jack started to explain, but soon Tripp took over. “The rift, or whatever you want to call it, never closed,” he said. “It’s being held in a state that requires perpetual balance on both ends. Disrupt one end, and what started years ago will come back with a fury.”
“Yes,” said Jack. “If we don’t close it permanently, we risk the lives of every being on this planet. I’ve been working on doing this for years—with Dr. Eriks’s help, of course.”
“Dr. Eriks?” asked Daniel.
“Dr. Erich Dasinger took on the pseudonym of Dr. Eriks when I hid him away from the world,” said Pops. “Son, are you saying you never really closed that hellhole?”
“We did the best we could at the time, Pops,” Jack replied.
“Ah, dammit,” said Pops. “Okay, so how do you propose we fix the problem while taking on the forces coming after us?”
“I’ve already got things in motion,” said Jack. “I had to play devil’s advocate, but we should be able to kill two birds with one stone.”
“And just how did you manage this? Which devil are we dealing with?” asked Pops.
“The one you recently scared the hell out of.”
“Carl?” exclaimed Pops. “Getting that ol’ bastard to betray Victor is a tall order.”
“True, but if Mother taught me anything valuable, it was that human beings tend to look out for themselves first. I convinced Carl, with your help, that it was in his best interest that we both get what we want.”
“And Victor?”
“Carl reluctantly agreed that Victor is doing more harm than good to Alan’s legacy.”
Pops seemed to have trouble accepting that one. “What does Carl want out of this?”
“To complete the project he’s being paid to do.”
The surprise on Pops’s face was instant. “How does this help us?”
“Lloyd Security was paid to bring me out in the open and get me to agree to open the rift over the old Echo coordinates—as some proof of concept. This is exactly what I want to do. Before you ask why, understand that we can’t close the wormhole properly without reopening it first.”
“That’s a batshit-crazy idea, son!” Pops said loudly.
“I’m gonna have to agree with Poppy on this one, Dad,” said Carson.
“Dad’s right,” Tripp said, to everyone else’s disbelief. “To close the wormhole properly this time, you must first return it to its former state.”
“Whoa—wait a minute,” said Carson. “Aren’t we trying to keep people from doing just that?”
“It feels really strange that we’re taking the opposite roles here,” said Tripp. “Look, if someone else breaches the rift, we’re all doomed—because they don’t have the means to close it again.”
Jack was greatly relieved to have someone else on his side. “That’s exactly right,” he said. “We’re the only ones who should ever do this, because we’re the only ones with the knowledge and the Trapdoor Key itself. It’s not an option. We must do this—and soon.”
“Just curious, but what the hell’s the rush after all these years?” Pops asked.
“Last week, someone in the Gulf tried to open the rift themselves,” Jack said. “When I checked the anomaly in the cavern above, I noticed it had become unstable.”
“Just great,” said Pops. “How long do we have?”
“At best estimate, perhaps days.”
“Well, we have our work cut out for us. Where are you off to next?” asked Pops.
“I have to synch up with Kate to coordinate our next steps. She can fill you in once we have a solid action plan,” said Jack.
“Wait a minute, Dad,” said Carson. “Are you telling me my mother’s part of all this?”
“Sweetie, I couldn’t do this without your mom,” Jack replied.
“This shit keeps getting crazier and crazier,” Carson said. “Okay, I’m in.”
Daniel and Tripp spoke among themselves before agreeing to do whatever was needed to assist the cause. Jack said his goodbyes and prepared to depart on a separate path. Pops had offered him a lift, but he had already arranged his own means of travel. Carson insisted on leaving with her dad, but he was equally adamant she was needed elsewhere. It was an awkward farewell.
As Jack entered the elevator, Carson called to him with one last question. “Dad, did you just pretend to be a preacher all those years?”
He took his time in responding, as he had asked himself that same question more than once. “At first I did. As the years went on, however, it was my faith that allowed the healing to begin. I’m more Jack Page today than I was ever Conner Page.”
Carson’s nod indicated she accepted that. “Be safe, Dad.”
“You guys be careful as well,” said Jack with a quick wave. “We’ll get through this.”
As the elevator shut, Carson ensured she got the last word. “No promises, but I’ll try to be a good team player.”
***
Once Jack departed, Pops gathered his new troops before they headed for the surface themselves. “Okay, folks, I’m heading to Florida to meet up with Shelby. I’ll drop you guys off in Biloxi. When we’re ready for the next phase, I’ll call.”
“Biloxi? What are we supposed to do there, Poppy?” Carson asked.
“Take a day off to absorb everything you’ve been through. There are some nice casinos, as you know. Drink and unwind. It’ll be back to work soon enough.”
“Aren’t we forgetting that there are dangerous people out there, Pops?” Tripp asked.
“I’m not forgetting,” Pops said. “You’ll obviously need to be careful—and I’ll have people watching. That said, this is your new reality, kids. You’ve proven you’re not helpless victims. You asked for this, so now you must learn to live with it.”
“Shouldn’t you train us to be badasses?” Carson asked.
“You’re already more capable than most veterans I’ve worked with,” said Pops with a hint of pride. “Besides, if your dad’s right about Carl, you guys won’t be the targets. I’ll know more after I catch up to Shelby.”
Carson seemed to fully bounce back to being herself. “Well, ya don’t have to tell us twice,” she said and turned to Tripp and Daniel. “You heard the man—let’s get moving.”
Acknowledgments
First, I’d like to thank everyone – family and friends – who supported me in my endeavors to write this novel. You know who you are.
Next, to my readers who provided valuable feedback…
Mel, for questioning the little things and putting up with my deadlines.
Ed, for his efforts and feedback – though he prefers stories set in the wild west.
Eric, whose favorite chapter only took me thirty minutes to write.
Cyn, for reading and reading and reading…then reading some more.
To the fine folks at Denton Square Courthouse Museum – particularly Kelsey, who took me on a tour of the clock tower. I appreciate not having to climb that last ladder (it’s really tall).
Thanks to Caroline for doing a fine job editing this book. Please note that any changes – or potential mistakes – I made at the last minute are all on me, not her.
Thanks to
Scarlett and Jason for their design work.
To the state of Florida for being a fun place to run off to and do research – and drink at the bars along the coast.
And to my Creator….for everything else.
Table of Contents
GULF OF MEXICO
FAST FORWARD
CHURCH MEETING
A KEY ENCOUNTER
FOLLOW THAT CAR
LUNCH TO DIE FOR
CASTING OFF
WATER HAZARD
BUMP AND GUN
FISH TALE
JUST BUSINESS
SECRETS AMONG FRIENDS
AN INCOMPLETE TRUTH
TWO ROADS
IT'S COMPLICATED
CHOICES
FOLLOWING BREADCRUMBS
THE HIDDEN ROOM
A MOMENT TOO LATE
THE JITTERS
THE POKER ROOM
THE BIG EASY WAY
TOMB RAIDERS
MISS DIRECTION
REALITY CHECK
DON'T KNOW JACK
SEVERED RELATIONS
GAME CHANGER
SQUARE ROUTE
TO ERR IS DEADLY
MORNING MOURNING
LIKE CLOCKWORK
WITCH WAY
POLYHEDRON
DOWN UNDER
UNDERGROUND REUNION
AVENGING SPIRIT
A LIGHT FROM THE SHADOWS
RETRO CHAMBER
CHANGE OF PLANS
INCOMING
NEW RECRUITS
THE LID REMOVED
THE SECRET PAGE