Secret Passages

by R D Hathaway

  Her voice fell to a whisper. “What do we do?”

  Angie looked stunned.

  “What guy?” She looked around. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. We’ve got to be extra careful.”

  “Okay, if you’re right, then whoever they are knows Matthew is here. They may or may not know who he is. If we act like we’re afraid or concerned, we lose the edge. We need them to think we don’t know they are there.”

  “This might have something to do with my meeting with Katherine and my computer being checked out. I know now I’ve been watched since this assignment began. You’re right though, we have to act like we’re oblivious to them. Hey, here he comes.”

  Matthew buttoned his brown tweed sport coat as he strolled up the hallway. “Ladies, it is delight for this old man to find himself in the company of you two lovely ladies again. Now that I am refreshed and, on the ground, I look forward to hearing what wonders you have discovered that require such urgent involvement of one like me.”

  Angie put her hand on his shoulder. “Maybe, we just wanted to show you off to our friends.”

  Rennie felt a growing sense of urgency. “Matthew, despite what my teasing friend here has to say, this is a mission of great importance. When we get back to the house, we can fill you in on some of the details. You can rest up tonight so your gifts can be put to work tomorrow. How’s that sound?”

  “Brilliant. I look forward to the adventure. Let’s get my bag and be off.”

  Most of the passengers had already taken their luggage, so Matthew’s bag was easy to find on the carousel. Rennie pulled it off the conveyor with a determined lift.

  “I’ll get my car and pick you guys up,” Angie offered.

  “I think we should all go to the car together,” Rennie responded. She looked at Matthew. “It’s late, and it’s not too far.”

  Matthew nodded. “Then let us all go together. It will give me a chance to begin my tour of Des Moines, Iowa.”

  Once in the car, Rennie’s eyes tracked every shadow, while her smile never dimmed. Matthew rode in the front seat with Angie. Rennie sat in the back, watching to see if any cars were following them.

  When they arrived at her home, Rennie hurried from the car and opened the front door. She turned on the porch light and welcomed her special guest.

  They briefly toured the house as Rennie turned on lights. She made tea and put the pot and cups on the dining room table with a few cookies. They settled into chairs and relaxed. Rennie got up and turned on music that was louder than what one might have for dinner conversation. Angie moved her chair close to Matthew.

  She cleared her throat. “Matthew, it’s hard to know where to begin. You know some of the basic information. There is a very important additional item.” Her voice softened. “We discovered it when we returned. It was the discovery that your father had made.”

  Matthew’s expression did not change.

  Rennie slipped forward in her chair. “We found something in the archived materials here that was overlooked. We happened to open a sealed box and found something remarkable. We aren’t sure what it is or how special it may be, and that’s why you are needed. I think you should review Matthias’s journals to read his own words of his discovery. Then you can look at what we found and see if you think it’s the same thing. How does that sound to you?”

  “It sounds rather mysterious. I am intrigued. Whatever the treasure may be, I’m not sure it will equal this opportunity for me to review my father’s written words.”

  “Matthew,” Angie interjected, “believe me, it will more than equal your father’s written words.”

  Rennie asked Matthew, “Could we begin in the morning? We’re all tired and can start fresh then.”

  “Very well. As of tomorrow, we will begin to unfold the answers to your concerns.”

  Rennie grinned. “You don’t know how close you are to the truth. Angie, can you stay, too? I can set you up here on the couch. I’ll sleep on a cot I used for camping trips. Matthew, let me show you to your room.”

  With cordial wishes for good sleep and the lights off, they all settled in for rest and renewal. Rennie eased herself off the cot and checked to ensure the doors were locked. As she passed by a window, she peeked into the night past the drawn shade. The faint light of a cell phone was on in a car about two houses away. She held her breath wondering who they were and what they wanted.

  Des Moines, IA

  Rennie’s Home

  XI - 2

  A sound in the kitchen awakened Angie. Light of a new morning slipped around the window shades. She was immediately alert but didn’t move. The kitchen door creaked as it slowly opened. Angie’s heart rate rose to a rapid thump in her chest. She quickly sat up and looked over the back of the couch just as Matthew stepped from the kitchen.

  He was startled and jumped, spilling hot tea on his hand. He set the cup on the dining table and hurried into the kitchen.

  Angie leaped off the couch and ran to the kitchen. “I am so sorry. I didn’t know it was you. I heard a noise and wasn’t sure who or what was in the house. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, yes dear, it is not the first time I have worn my drink. Really, do not worry yourself.”

  A puzzled look appeared on his face.

  She looked down at the oversized gray t-shirt and floral boxer shorts she had worn to bed.

  “I’m sorry Angel, or Angie, I don’t think I should see you this way.”

  He looked away to tend to his hand.

  “Oh, that’s okay. It’s just what I wear to bed. Excuse me, I need to run upstairs for a moment.”

  As Angie tiptoed out of the kitchen, she noticed Rennie sitting upright in the cot.

  Angie waved and whispered, “It’s okay. It’s Matthew.”

  Rennie got up and shook her head, throwing her hair about and letting it settle. She rubbed her face as she walked into the kitchen.

  Matthew opened the door and stopped when he saw her. “I must say, this is the busiest morning of interaction with young ladies that I can remember. And particularly, ladies attired in such interesting ways.”

  He looked at the floor as he eased past her.

  Rennie put her hands on her hips. “Hey, what’s wrong with running shorts and a t-shirt? One thing you need to learn around here,” she said with mock seriousness, “is that you never cross me before I have coffee. Understood?”

  Matthew gave a slight bow and covered his eyes with one hand. Then, he chuckled. “So, am I to understand that the standard evening wear for women in America is a sport shirt and men’s underwear?”

  Rennie pointed at him. “Consider yourself warned, mister.”

  He carried his cup and saucer into the living room, set the saucer and cup on a coffee table, walked to a window, and pulled the bottom of the shade, allowing it to slowly rise up.

  “Don’t, wait!” Rennie yelled as she stepped out of the kitchen.

  Matthew released the shade string, causing it to spin to the top of the window. He grasped at the cord hanging from it, missing the string several times.

  “Matthew, I’m sorry. It’s okay. I’ve been a little on edge for a couple of days. It’s fine.”

  “It’s no trouble to close the shade. I can get it.”

  “No, it’s fine. Please leave it open.”

  She returned to the kitchen. He regressed to a chair and cautiously drank his tea.

  Angie came down the stairs. “You people are sure noisy in the morning.”

  “It’s my fault,” responded Matthew. “I promise I will not move again.”

  Angie collapsed on the couch. “Did you get enough sleep? It’s only six o’clock.”

  “Yes, dear, I did. My body clock tells me it’s much later. I will adjust soon. Actually, I laid awake when I first woke up and have been wondering about the great mystery
that beckoned me on this trip. When do I learn of it?”

  Angie glanced toward the kitchen door. She stood and stretched. “I think it’s time. If it’s okay with you, let’s have some breakfast first. Rennie and I will get cleaned up, and then we’ll lay it all out for you. I’m glad you’re here, Matthew. This is a golden moment.”

  As Rennie approached, Angie whispered to her, “I told him you and I need to get ready and we all need to eat. Then it’s time we give him everything.”

  “One question, ladies,” Matthew inquired. “Is there anything I should not be doing while you are in preparation?” He grinned.

  Rennie said he could feel free to look around and might enjoy the rocker on the front porch. Then, she dashed upstairs to get ready.

  Within an hour, the ladies were ready for the day, breakfast was ready, and Matthew was called to the table.

  As they ate, Matthew gazed at his new friends.

  “Thank you for your warm welcome. The informality with which I am accepted makes me feel more like family than a distant visitor. And, this feast must be intended for more than just the three of us.”

  Rennie put her paper napkin to her mouth and laughed. “If you only knew how badly we eat around here, you would understand how rare this breakfast really is.”

  “And, how welcome!” Angie added. “I didn’t realize how hungry I am.”

  Another minute of enjoyable, quiet eating passed by. Rennie finally decided to tell Matthew why he was called. “I think it’s time we got into it. The reason you are here.”

  She glanced at her audio system. She excused herself from the table and got the remote control. She turned on some classical music and raised the volume.

  Rennie spoke in a soft voice. “While you were on the front porch this morning, I got out a few books that we would like you to read. They are Matthias’s journals. For now, there is only one part, the last part, of the last book that we would like you to review. It is the denouement, as one might say, to Matthias’ time in London. It’s his description of his discovery, and if it moves you as it did us, you will see the significance of your being here.”

  Rennie glanced at Angie and leaned toward Matthew. She whispered, “There is another aspect to this situation that is important for you to know. We may be watched or listened to. I believe we have been watched and we must be careful.”

  He stopped eating and studied her with a cool seriousness she had not seen before. He said nothing but appeared to wait for more information.

  “Since I filed my draft story with my paper about Matthias and what he found, something has been going on behind the scenes. I don’t think it’s friendly.”

  He put down his utensils. His voice dropped to a low, airless tone. “If what you have found and reported is as significant as you suggest, it will be of no surprise that dark forces have become active. I have seen it before. There is a tenuous understanding between the worlds of science and greed, when it comes to the ancient world. One must be ever vigilant. I suggest we enjoy this wonderful beginning to our day and then begin.”

  He gave a quick grin and nod, followed with attending to his eager appetite.

  They finished the meal in focused silence. Then they met in the kitchen. Rennie ran water in the sink to create background noise. She unwrapped the journals.

  “I placed a bookmark in this one, where I recommend you begin your reading. The section will not take long. You are welcome to go back farther if you wish. Matthias was a good writer. You might feel more depth to his words than we did, since it’s the first time you will hear from him. Take as long as you need. We called in to our offices to let them know we’ll be in later. Matthew, we plan to be here with you until you get through this journal. After that, we can plan the day.”

  He took a deep breath. “There may be no adequate way to express my appreciation for what we are doing here. Where would you like me to pursue this?”

  He looked at the journal and stroked its cover.

  “There’s a spare room upstairs that’s set up for you. It has a desk and a chair. The lighting is good. If you need anything, just let us know.”

  Matthew stepped closer to them and whispered with a sly grin, “All will be well.” He left the kitchen and proceeded up the stairs.

  Rennie listened to him walk across the wooden floor, open and close the old door, and slide the chair back from the desk.

  “How do you think he’ll respond?” Angie asked.

  “There’s no way to know. It’s too much to comprehend. I’m still not in touch with it. I hope he’ll be okay.”

  “Rennie, do you think we’re being watched? Is there someone out there?” Angie tilted her head toward the window.

  “Yes. I don’t know their agenda. It’s important we continue to appear to not know they are there. At the same time, we’ve got to safeguard what we have here.”

  “Are we going to leave him alone? I know I’ve got to go to work this morning.”

  “I do too, and I’ve thought about that. My neighbor Roger will work with us. He lives behind me. We’ll sneak Matthew there without anyone seeing him. The backyard is well shielded by a fence and bushes in the front and on the sides.”

  Rennie’s eyes danced with excitement. “I’ll call Roger using my new phone. We can be invisible to anyone trying to break into our lines of communication.”

  “Good. While you do that, could I use your computer to check my e-mail?”

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  Rennie turned off the water flowing from the kitchen faucet. She followed Angie out but went upstairs with a careful effort to not make any noise on the stairway.

  As she finished getting ready for work, she heard a gasp from Matthew’s workroom. His chair could be heard moving on the floor. She leaned into the hallway and could hear him pacing across the small room.

  Rennie returned downstairs and called Roger. She explained the situation and that Matthew needed a quiet place to do some research while she was at work. Roger said he welcomed the company. She said she would let him know when they had worked out the details.

  Rennie heard another gasp from upstairs, as Angie was about to leave.

  Angie ran half-way up the stairs. She hurried back down. “We have to see if he’s alright.”

  “Why don’t you go up?”

  Angie quietly moved up the stairway. Her hand formed around the top post of the banister, levering her slowly into the upper hall. Rennie remained at the foot of the stairs, silently watching.

  Angie called out Matthew’s name. “Do you need anything?”

  “Some water would be welcome.”

  She didn’t move and hardly breathed. Then she returned to the top of the stairs and whispered down to Rennie, “He needs some water.”

  Rennie hurried into the kitchen, promptly delivering a plastic tumbler of water and ice. Angie met her on the stairway then looked at her watch and grimaced.

  “I need to leave. Can you take over?”

  “Sure. Let me know what else he needs.”

  Angie delivered the water and came down the stairs. She looked shaken. Rennie put an arm over her shoulder and walked her into the kitchen.

  Angie turned on the faucet. “He said he doesn’t need anything. Something is touching him deeply. He’s at the discovery of the letter from Mary and from Matthew.”

  “So, he isn’t to where Matthias mentions the letters from Jesus, yet?”

  “No. The journal itself is quite a shock for him. It might be best if you go up and sit in the hallway. I’ve got to go. If I don’t show up at the library, things could get ugly for me. I’ve had some odd contacts with my boss.”

  “Then you’d better go. I’ll let you know what happens here. Remember to use the new phone. We’ve got to be safe now. God bless you,” she whispered.

  “And, you too.”

 
Rennie escorted her to the front door. She looked out the small window before opening the door.

  “Be safe,” she said. “And try to be natural.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  She laughed as her steps took her swiftly across the yard to her car. She waved as she drove away.

  Rennie closed the front door but stood for a short time, looking out the window at the cars in the street and a few people walking down the sidewalk. She breathed a deep sigh.

  Des Moines, IA

  Rennie’s Home

  XI - 3

  Remembering the box hidden downstairs, Rennie locked the front door and hurried to a closet to find a canvas bag. She took a few steps up the stairway and listened for any sounds of Matthew. Then, bag in hand, she hurried through the kitchen and went down the basement stairs into the darkness. In the limited light from a small window, Rennie went to the storeroom and opened the door. Her hand knocked a jar off the shelf, but she caught it as it fell. She took a deep breath and looked around.

  Taking the box with the letters, she put it into the bag, and blew hard on the dusty shelves. Then she closed the door again.

  She heard the basement door open. She spun around, grasping the bag in both hands.

  “Hello!” Matthew’s voice called out.

  Rennie breathed again. “I’m down here!” she shouted. As she ran up the stairs, she stopped and clasped her hand over her mouth.

  “That was stupid,” she whispered. Rennie met Matthew in the kitchen.

  “How’s it going? Did you need something?”

  She set the bag on the counter and turned on the water faucet.

  Matthew eased himself onto a stool. “I never expected I would know him so intimately. It’s an intellectually and personally inspiring experience. I see now what you meant when you said I needed to be rested and prepared.”

  “How far along are you?”

  “It is difficult to know where to begin. In a short time, I’ve listened to the voice of my father and become aware of the personal intensity of his life. I’m aware of his finding certain precious letters that indicate a most remarkable origin.”