National Treasure II – Chapter Eleven - "Trouble"
Author's Note: Got another chapter for you, as our adventurers continue on their journey. Hopefully you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it. I also really enjoy your reviews so much. I read every single one of them. The last one I received regarding Port Royal's current condition is news to me really, however, this story is too far along in my mind to be able to fix anything, but I might be able to work around it.
Yes, it was Ian…
Ben quickly exited the line to the Avis rental car counter making his way swiftly toward the baggage claim that wasn't located far away.
Spotting Abigail and Riley, Ben kept his back toward Ian and made his way through the crowd towards his companions.
"Something wrong?" Abigail asked concerned as she turned around to face Ben.
"Look over my right shoulder." Ben stated.
As she followed through with Ben's request her eyes widen at the target, "Ian…"
Riley, who had been scouting out their luggage, turned around abruptly realizing what Abigail had said, "This is bad," he announced, stating the obvious, "What do we do?"
As Ben stood thinking while trying to conceal his identity Ian had approached the rental car counter with a few other people seemingly accompanying him, "Maybe the best thing we could do right now is hide."
"They are not going to fire on us in an airport," Abigail pointed out, but than hesitated, "are they?"
"Ian's not that rash…aside from the fact I doubt they were even aloud weaponry through security." Riley retorted sighing, returning once again to the carousel of suitcases behind him.
Fifteen minutes after Ian disappeared everyone could breathe a little more easily.
Riley had located and collected their luggage, Ben picked up their rental car, and Abigail helped put the baggage into the trunk of the vehicle.
Two miles away from JIA they found their hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn.
Tired, hungry, and shaken up from their voyage, they parked, checked in, took their belongings to their room, and advanced to the downstairs restaurant named, The Great American Grill.
While walking into the delightful open restaurant they realized it was a setting of natural wood seating with a casual dining essence.
"Freshly prepared American favorites in a relaxed setting," Riley announced as he read the illuminated sign under the eateries logo.
With the hustling of passing hostesses one quickly stopped in front of them and directed them to a lovely table next to a glass window overlooking the pool area which appeared vacant.
As they sat they ordered their drinks and remained silent for a few minutes until Ben spoke, "Seeing Ian is not a welcoming sign, however, it doesn't mean he knows exactly where we're heading only that we're en route to Jamaica."
What caused Ben to state this was the silence and he figured that Abigail and Riley's minds were dwelling on the fact they saw Ian. What Ben thought, was proven a few minutes later when Abigail spoke, "You're right, but we still don't know what we're chasing after, if it's even worth our time."
With nothing able to be said in response to Abigail's remark the silence remained upon the table until the server brought their drinks. Luckily, while in quiet time they all had a chance to overlook the menu and chose a certain item which they each ordered.
"Right now the only benefit of this trip will be the beach, bikinis, and women." Riley stated, leaning back in the hard wood seat," We're talking about the Caribbean baby…"
Abigail rolled her eyes and laughed, the mood once again was lighten by Riley's humor, "Who's to say we'll even get the chance to visit the beaches?"
Riley grinned, "Please don't ruin my fantasies."
"This is not a vacation Riley…" Ben stated, a little serious.
"If we don't find anything of importance we might as well make it one." Riley retorted, sipping his soda from the straw, "Bring out the Margaritas, Jamaican Steel Drums, and Island Women!"
A few short minutes later after receiving their food and watching Riley fall out of his chair the three of them began to eat.
It was well after 9pm when they left the dining hall to advance toward the elevator. The three of them were full and ready to sleep off their truly American style meals.
Once in the elevator they waited for the doors to close, but just before they could Riley caught a glimpse of Ian, who was advancing towards them, however, it looked as though he hadn't noticed them.
Riley quickly conferred with his companions about what he had just encountered as the elevator neared their floor.
"You don't think he looked us up in the registry, do you Ben?" Abigail asked, somewhat panicky.
"I would think he would have found us by now if that was the case. As far as he knows we could be further ahead of him or lagging behind. We haven't given him any reason to suspect we're here." Ben replied, trying to keep everyone calm as the elevator door quickly opened.
Now, they were eagerly trying to enter their room, jamming the card into the lock in order to conceal themselves from the open hallway. When the door opened they each pushed inside, now being able to let go of the stress from being able to be spotted in the corridor.
After taking a moment to recover, they all admired their room they finally were able to explore. There were 2 Double Beds, a chair with an ottoman, a hairdryer, a hand-held shower, a large work desk with lamp, 2 phones, each with 2 separate lines, a mini refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, an iron, and an ironing board. Not to mention two full walk-in closets on either side of the room with a television between the 2.
It felt like a suite, although it wasn't. However, the mind's eye would have defiantly thought otherwise if they hadn't known the difference.
Riley was the first to plop down on the bed closest to the door, "I could get used to this…"
"Don't get too comfortable, it's only for one night." Ben replied giving Abigail a hug from behind.
"Please no, not any of that…" Riley replied, acting like he was being forced to watch an entire episode of 'I Love Lucy'. His acting of being tortured didn't last very long though as both Abigail and Ben grabbed pillows from their bed and threw them at Riley.
"These are mine now." Riley announced, grabbing the pillows and hugging them tightly.
Their fun lasted for ten minutes until everyone said they had to call it a night. A few things that were done before the lights were turned off consisted of Abigail's unscheduled shower she insisted upon taking that night, Riley's crossword puzzle he was committed to finish in the newspaper, and Ben's reading into his father's travel size book, 'Common Sense'. After completing their last minute tasks they shared their 'goodnights' and retired to sleep quickly without worry, until the next morning...