Ya, ya, I know, you all want to kill me for not updating in so long. Sorry! Contrary to popular belief, I have NOT fallen off the face of the Earth!Our band went all the way to state last November and our guard schedule has been REALY hectic because of it. Now, I need to make a correction. Boston's Old North Church is still a running church, so I am going to say that the church was closed because of monthly repair work. I also went ahead and finished writing the story, so all I have to do is type it up now! I'd also like to thank SarahofEarth, CharlieLover, and TriGemini for their continued support. Thanks guys!
Chapter 11:
Paul Revere's Clue
Ben awoke early the next morning. He had no knowledge of the new relationship between Riley and Alexis, or that Riley was very tired after the events of the day before. Ben lightly shook Riley awake.
Riley opened one eye and saw Ben hovering over him. "No, I'm not getting up. It's to early and I'm tired." He closed his eye and rolled over so that his back was to Ben.
Ben grabbed the blanket over Riley and pulled it off the young man. Riley cringed. The room was freezing, even to someone in jeans and a shirt. "Hey…" Riley mumbled, "It's too cold in here."
His complaint was met with a jacket hitting his face. "Put it on." Ben commanded quietly.
Riley slipped the jacket on. "Why are all hotel rooms so cold?" He said as he got up and shuffled across the room. "And why do you have this thing for throwing things at my head?" He asked Ben as he passed him. Riley found the air conditioner and immediately switched it to 'heat', then stood in front of it, letting the warm air thaw him out.
Ben rolled his eyes. "Riley, turn the heater off or I'll throw another pillow at you."
After cleaning up, Riley and Ben went down to the lobby. There were a few other early risers there; mostly businessmen leaving for the day, but it seemed deserted compared to the hustle and bustle of the day before. Riley smiled when he saw a Starbucks across the street. He tapped Ben on the shoulder. "Hey, I'm going across the street to get some coffee. Do you want anything?"
Ben shook his head. "No, I'm fine. You go ahead."
Riley walked outside into the parking lot and saw that the clouds and rain from the night before had vanished, leaving the sky clear and brilliantly lit with a beautiful sunrise. Puddles still lingered in the road, and Riley couldn't help but splash through a few in sheer joy. He crossed the road, which had already become busy with Monday morning traffic. Before entering Starbucks, he saw another shop next door. Painted across the windows were the words "Gifts - Antiques - Books - Jewelry". Riley suddenly had an idea. He walked into the shop, wondering how anyone could open so early, and began looking around. Suddenly, his eyes fell on a very small, antique jewelry box that would only hold a few items. Beside it sat an old key that bore a striking resemblance to Alexis's key before they had cleaned it. His plan had been to buy a fake key and here it was; the key that he needed. There was a price tag attached to the box and key that read ten dollars. Riley smiled and picked them up. As he walked to the front register, his eyes fell on something else.
Alexis brushed her hair out with a small brush from her purse. Abigail was amazed at how fast the younger woman had readied herself. Alexis put her brush away and picked up her purse. I'm going to eat breakfast." She announced. Abigail nodded in acknowledgement.
Alexis stepped across the hall and knocked on the guys' door. Patrick opened it.
"Is Riley here?" She asked.
"No," Patrick answered. "I think he and Ben went downstairs to the lobby."
"Oh, thanks anyway, Mr. Gates." Alexis said.
She walked down the hall, fiddling with the key around her neck. She couldn't believe that this little trinket that had been in her family for generations would lead her to love.
Riley scurried back across the street after grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks, and walked into the hotel restaurant where he spotted Ben reading a local newspaper. He made his way to Ben's table and sat down. "Hey Ben, check out what I found at the antique shop across the street!"
Ben lowered the newspaper as Riley pulled the jewelry box and the key from the bag he was carrying. His eyes instantly fell on the key. "That looks like Alexis's key." He said.
"I know!" Riley exclaimed. "I can hardly tell them apart! Now, the key unlocks this jewelry box. The keys look so much alike, that if we lock the real key in this box, and have Alexis wear the replacement as if it were the real thing, we can fool Ian if we have to! Plus, this will separate the lock from the key, so no one can open it!"
Ben nodded. "And how much did you pay for this?"
Riley grinned. "Ten dollars. It's obviously antique, so I got a good deal."
Alexis made her way to the table Ben and Riley were sitting at. "Hey," She said, sitting down next to Riley.
"Where's Abigail?" Ben asked.
"Oh, she's still in the room." Alexis replied. "But she'll be down soon."
Ben nodded. He missed the affectionate glance that passed between his younger colleagues as Riley took Alexis's hand under the table.
Alexis's eyes fell on the jewelry box and its key. "Oh, that's beautiful!" She exclaimed, running her free hand over the intricate silver work. "Where'd you get it?"
"Across the street." Riley said.
"What's it for?" Alexis asked.
"Safeguarding your key." Ben said. "Take your necklace off."
Alexis pulled her hand from Riley's and reached for the clasp on the ribbon. She felt a light touch on her hands. She dropped her hands and let Riley unhook the ribbon. He laid it out on the table and took the key off. "We put this key in the box and lock it with the other one. Then, we put the second key on your necklace. It's sort of like a decoy."
"Right," Ben said, "And now no one can get to the key unless they've got the one you're wearing."
"Nice." Alexis said.
Riley slipped the second key onto the ribbon as Patrick and Abigail joined them. Abigail had brought the two Foley's bags she and Alexis were using as suitcases. She had also put the guys' stuff in the bags so they wouldn't have so much to carry. "Are we ready to go?" She asked.
Ben nodded.
Riley put the necklace back around Alexis's neck. "Great, this is another clash with Ian just waiting to happen." Riley thought. He suddenly wanted Alexis to stay at the hotel. Association with Ben Gates and Riley Poole had very serious dangers. "Do I really want to put her in a dangerous situation?" He thought.
Ben stood and led the group outside to the parking lot after Alexis had taken care of checking out. They piled into the Escalade and then they were off. Once again, Riley and Alexis sat apart, with Alexis in the back, and Riley in the middle next to Patrick.
Riley was very conscious of Alexis's presence. He tried to start a conversation, but it was near impossible. They were all on edge. His mind kept flying to the night before. Had he really? Had she really? His thoughts were interrupted by Ben's voice announcing that they had arrived.
The five got out of the SUV. Riley helped Alexis out, and for a moment, they stood staring into each other's eyes. Alexis could see that something was troubling Riley deeply, and wondered what it could be. She was worried about him.
Ben stopped the group on the sidewalk. "Okay, here's the plan. We're splitting up. Abigail, Dad, you're with me. Riley, Alexis, you're our decoys. If Ian and his cronies show up, you might be able to stall them long enough for us to find the clue."
Riley's face went pale. "But I'm no match for Ian!" He exclaimed.
Ben placed a comforting hand on Riley's shoulder. "I'm hoping that it won't come to that and we can find the clue before they get here. I don't want things to come to any type of confrontation between anyone, and I'm banking on Ian being reasonable."
Patrick gave a worried look at his son. "I can't be with you on this one, Ben. I don't think splitting up the group is going to help. There's strength in numbers. No offense, but a computer geek and a girl in college would be no match against Ian."
Ben felt torn. He needed a decoy, and he needed Abigail and Patrick's knowledge. But because he Abigail and Patrick, did he send his best friend and newest friend to do the task that could present many perils? Ben sighed. "I have a good idea where the clue is, so it shouldn't take to long to find it." He turned to Riley. "I need you and Alexis to do this, not only to distract Ian if need be, but to keep watch."
Riley nodded in agreement. "Ian doesn't know we're here, so he won't be looking for us at first. I'll call you if we spot him so you can hide or something."
"Okay," Ben said, "let's go.
Riley and Alexis waited for the tour group to pass them, then they edged their way into the door to the spire.
Alexis looked up the shaft at the many flights of stairs. Riley closed the door and looked up at the stairs as well. "Hey, look! Stairs!" He said jokingly.
Alexis gave him a questioning look.
"Sorry, inside joke." He said apologetically.
Alexis started up the stairs, followed closely by Riley. He was surprised by her stamina as they climbed. By the Time they had reached the top, Riley was panting with exhaustion. "How come you're not tired?" He asked.
"Colorguard, seven years." She replied simply. She explored the landing they had come to while Riley caught his breath. It was small, with a low ceiling, and didn't appear to go any higher. "There has to be a way up." She whispered to herself and began feeling the wood above her. Finally, she came to what she was looking for.
Ben led Abigail and Patrick into the small museum next to the church. "If I'm correct, the poem wasn't referring to the church itself, it was referring to the actual lanterns." He said. They approached a glass display case with the two famous lanterns inside. Ben leaned in close to the glass. After a few seconds, he smiled. "I think our friend Paul Revere may have left us a clue."
Abigail looked questioningly at Ben. "That doesn't make any sense. The key was created in 1814, but these lanterns are at least thirty years older. How does that work?"
Ben stopped. Abigail had pointed out a huge problem. He paced around the display case. "What if Alexis's key is not the original clue? What if that clue was lost or destroyed and a new one created to take its place?"
"It's a possibility." Patrick said.
"What did you see?" Abigail asked.
Ben sighed. There were only two words this time, but I think this is the final clue. It said Mount Vernon."
"Mount Vernon?" Patrick asked.
"The home of our first president." Ben said, his voice near a whisper. "Come on, we have to find Alexis and Riley."
Alexis pulled the trapdoor hard. It swung open and she fell to the ground. Riley rushed over to help her up. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She answered with a smile.
"How do we get up?" Riley asked.
"You're taller than me," Alexis said. "See if you can feel a rope latter up there."
Riley put his hand through the trapdoor and felt around for the latter. After a few tense moments, he pulled the latter down. It looked new.
"At least they keep this place up." Alexis said as she climbed the latter and pulled herself up. Riley climbed up after her.
The room around them was small. There was a window on each wall of the square room. Riley sat down next to one and sighed. "This is one heck of an adventure we're on."
"Yeah, I know. It will be a story for me to tell my children and grandchildren." Alexis agreed, sitting down next to him.
There were a few moments of silence. Riley looked out the window behind him. The window faced the museum next to the church. He could clearly see the people walking in and out of the front of the building. He turned back and looked at Alexis. "Can I call you Lexi?"
"Huh, what?" Alexis said.
"Can I call you Lexi? It's your nickname. I heard your friend call you that."
Alexis rested her head on Riley's shoulder. "Yes, you can. I'd love that."
Suddenly, Riley's phone rang. He hurriedly answered it. "Hello? Ben?"
"Yeah."
"Did you find it?"
"Yeah, meet us at the museum."
"Alright, cool. Bye." Riley said and hung up.
"They found it?" Alexis implored.
"Yeah, they want us to meet them at the museum. C'mon!"
They jumped down through to trapdoor, making sure to close it before they left. Then, they raced back down the stairs. Riley surprisingly reached the ground floor first. He pressed his ear against the door to check for passing tour groups. Nothing. Alexis watched him intently. He turned the doorknob and opened the door.
"Hello Riley."
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You better review this cause it took me 5 hours to type! Hehe, be nice, okay?