"Empty."

WHAT!?

"Someone must've taken it."

"Brightest men in our country sat at that desk for over a hundred years," Patrick commented.

"Take a look at this."

"Course one of 'em found the map."

"A symbol stamped into the wood."

I looked at the image on the camera Ben showed us.

Oh no.

"The presidential seal."

"It's not the presidential seal. The eagle's holding a scroll instead of olive branches."

"I'm not sure what this is.

"What do we do?"

"Did none of you read my book?"

Oops. Totally forgot Riley was standing there.

"The eagle clutching the scroll."

We know what it is, Riley. Me more so than them!

"Do you know what it means?"

"Yeah. But it's not something I could tell you."

Say what?

"It's something that I have to show you... in my book."

Of course. You have to be a show-off. So could I, but I at least want to keep my pride intact!

We headed back to the van. Ben pulled open the doors and ripped the top off of a package sent from Riley. Go figure! He closed the van's back doors.

"You didn't even open it?"

"I was moving."

Pretty good excuse.

"Chapter 13"

Ben flipped through the pages until he got to the chapter.

"'The President's Secret Book'?"

"'The President's Secret Book.' It happens to be a collection of documents for presidents, by presidents, and for presidents' eyes only. And I'm not just talking about JFK here, guys. The 18 and a half missing minutes of the Watergate tapes. Did the Apollo really land on the moon? Did it? Did it? And the coup de grâce... Area 51."

Wow. Very dramatic. I'm shocked.

"Come on, Riley. That's... that's an urban legend."

"Is it, Abigail? Is it?"

"It's just totally..."

"Crazy?"

"Yeah."

"Hm. 'Cause last time I checked, we pretty much make our living on crazy."

"He's got a point."

Unfortunately, yes.

"I guess so."

Patrick pointed at the seal on a picture of a document.

"Same symbol."

"Released in '66 under the Freedom of Information Act. The eagle and the scroll, the secret symbol in the President's Book."

"So you're saying that whatever was on that plank is now in the President's Secret Book."

"Ben. If it was you trying to convince me... you'd have less evidence, and I'd already believe you by now."

We stood there for a moment. I already believed Ben's story because one: he's a terrible liar. Two: I saw the truth. No way could Ben lie about something as big as Cibola or Thomas Gates' loyalty. My cellphone went off.

"Excuse me."

I walked away to take the call. It was Betsy.

"What is it this time?"

"You looked like celebrity material, autographing those photos and giving advice."

"Why didn't you tell me you were around and about?"

"You looked busy."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah. Teacher said that you're treading on dangerous waters now. I'm the only person that will help you from here on out."

"Which means that if I commit a federal crime, the Society will be after my head."

"Yes and no. We won't help you, but we also won't help the federal agents. The only thing we will be allowed to do is stretch the truth."

"Honesty is the best policy."

"Believe half of the things you see and none of what you hear."

"Too late for that, I guess."

"I'll let you get going. By the way, loved the outfit."

"I figured you would."

I hung up and joined the group. We got absolutely nowhere. I suggested that tomorrow was another day and we'd have fresh minds to work with. It was a unanimous vote. I slept over at Patrick's house on the floor. I insisted that I take it. For most of the evening, I meditated to keep my focus clear. I did it mostly to prevent going back to the Civil War. There was too much blood for me to see. I heard footsteps come my way.

"When you said you'd take the floor, I didn't expect you to be deep in thought."

I smirked. Opening my eyes, I found Ben sitting across from me with his legs crossed. I was in a Lotus Position because I'm just that flexible.

"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Why aren't you asleep?"

"I was resting before being interrupted."

"Not entirely. Esther, you need to sleep. It's not healthy to not get enough rest."

"Well would you fall asleep if you knew that you'd be transported to the most horrific moment in history?"

He didn't answer me.

"My point exactly. I went to the Civil War at least twice. TWICE! And I had to see men on the field, bloody and suffering. I helped get them to the tents where at least half of them would die. I collapsed from exhaustion both times. That is why I'm not falling asleep."

"Have you talked to Alex? Wouldn't he be able to change the setting?"

"I've tried and tried. He won't answer me when I'm in a situation."

"Are you sure you haven't been drifting apart?"

"No. I mean, yes. I mean-"

"You're not sure."

"Yes! I just wish I knew what was going on. I… can't sleep anymore with the fear of seeing blood again."

Ben took my hands in his and looked me in the eye.

"You can sleep. I know you can. I also know that you can change the situation if you want to. You have the power to do it."

"Yeah, but I haven't had the practice, Ben. Alex always does that for me."

"Then concentrate on the image you want to see."

I sighed, not sure but hopeful.

"Okay. I'll give it a try. Just… stay with me until I fall asleep."

"That it is something I can do."

I lied down on the floor and closed my eyes, willing my subconscious to not be in the Civil War. I wanted to see a peaceful scene that I longed to view in real life. When I opened them, I saw an ocean of light gold hay. Beside me was a white horse. I climbed on and rode on the prairie to wherever the wind would take me. Buffalo grazed and mingled with the rabbits and sparrows. I moved on, west to the mountains. Behind me, stallions ran free with no riders and no accessories. I wanted to ride free so I did as they did: run wild and free. It seemed like a possible situation, even if I wouldn't get to see wild horses. But I would still ride on the Great Plains.

"You will. One day, you will."

I looked to the side to see Firelight on a copper mare.

"Firelight, I-"

He put his hand up and I stopped talking.

"I may not be a key figure in your life, but I am in this moment. You have passed the test Alex put before you. He wanted you to choose the time you wished to see. You could pick any time, but it took longer than we hoped."

"Are you guys seriously on a schedule with me?"

"We have forever where as you don't. And without the practice you require, you will be quite unprepared to lead the world into the future as fate decreed."

"So I already have this destined path I'm supposed to travel on? I doubt God wanted me to stay on this path. He would want me to go my own way and trust my own decisions. He will guide me as you and Alex are now. Sum Regente Deo."

"I am well aware of your Society's motto. But there are some things that you can't decide for yourself."

"That is true, but I will take what matters I can into my own hands."

Firelight was losing the battle. I was a very persuasive talker. He gave up.

"Very well. As I had said earlier, you passed. Understand that we can't help you all the time. You must rely on your skills and your capabilities. There will be times that you can't have us help you because we will not or cannot."

"I'll keep that in mind. But please. Don't cut me off and assume I know what's going on. 'Cause sometimes I don't."

He nodded and rode away to wherever. I pressed on and headed to the Rockies. Little did I know that my dream would end abruptly. I fell into a dark chasm that came out of nowhere. I shot up from my sleep. Ben was sitting on the couch, looking at me. I breathed heavily and he came by my side.

"Well?"

"Rode white horse on Great Plains. Saw Native American. Fell into mysterious dark chasm. No blood."

"Sounds about what I was thinking. Not exactly, but…"

"I get it. You were hoping that I got the sleep I needed."

"Yes. And now you need a shower."

I laughed and took one. I ate some toast and a hot chocolate for breakfast before heading out with Ben to see Sadusky. He would be the only person that we could trust that would know something about the President's secret book. When we arrived at the office, Sadusky was genuinely surprised to see us. Nonetheless, he was pleased at the visit as we didn't really keep in contact. Ben handed him a full picture of the one taken in the Oval Office. We explained our situation to him.

"The eagle with the scroll? Conspiracy theorists like to believe that it's the symbol for the President's Secret Book."

"You bought Riley's book."

Laughing, "Your friend writes a book about government conspiracies. You don't think we know about it?"

"But is it true? Does the president have a secret book?"

Sadusky looked at the picture a little longer. He put it down, took off his glasses and looked at us.

"Do you like ducks?"

I nodded my head once. Sadusky told the agents that he was going out for a bit. Ben and I followed him outside to a pond with civilians and ducks.

"There is a book."

"Why are you telling me out here?"

"Because inside, I'm a federal agent. Out here, I'm talking to you as a friend."

"Where's the President's Book kept?"

"Only the current president knows. The book is passed from president to president, and each one chooses his own hiding place." Sadusky looked at me. "It's something you don't pay attention to."

"That I know for a fact. The Society tends to deal with the world. You're part of the FBI and have more responsibilities to the United States."

"Glad there's an understanding."

Sadusky turned to Ben. He was going to ask the obvious question.

"You're the FBI. Can't you get it for me?"

"Only way you'll ever see that book is if you get elected president."

"Well, you never know."

I know for a fact that you won't be president, Ben.

Sadusky walked away, leaving Ben and I in the open with no idea what to do next. I knew the location of the book at the moment, but I didn't want to give it up so easily. I wanted to see what Ben had in mind. He usually comes up crazy ideas. Why not see one?

"Do you know where it is?"

"Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. It's oath."

"Understandable. Let's go home."

So that's what we did. Ben pondered for a long time like Patrick did after the Booth page was revealed. Speaking of who, he came into the room along with Riley and Abigail. I told of our trip to the FBI and how we were quite unsuccessful.

"How are we supposed to figure out what the other half of the map is?" Patrick asked.

"We need to look at the book," Riley answered.

"But we don't even know where the book is, Riley. Only the president does and I doubt this is a matter of national security," I retorted gently.

"All I need is a few minutes with him."

Excuse me?

"A few minutes? Really? Even if you were married to the president, you wouldn't be able to get a few minutes."

Good point, Riley.

"Not when he's surrounded by handlers. But if I can get him alone..."

"How do you expect to get the president alone?"

And the moral moment comes… now.

"Before the Civil War, the states were all separate. People used to say, 'The United States are.' Wasn't until the war ended people started saying, 'The United States is.' Under Lincoln... we became one nation."

"And Lincoln paid for it with his life."

I held my head down in respect.

"So did Thomas Gates."

"Right."

"With his life. So how am I gonna get him alone?"

We all looked at Ben.

"I'm gonna kidnap him. I'm gonna kidnap the president of the United States."

I just stood there. Abigail, Riley, and Patrick started talking at once, telling Ben that the idea was crazy. This was my thought: I love it! We get to commit yet another crime! I really missed going out and doing covert stuff. It made me feel like a kid when I was on a mission.

"Exactly how do you plan on doing this?"

Good question, Patrick. How does Ben plan on doing this?

"I was thinking Mount Vernon."

"Oh."

"What?"

"I'm in."

You guys jumped in without knowing what was going to happen!

"What is it about Mount Vernon that makes the whole thing seem so easy?"

Ben told me about a little family history that made the plan seem less complicated. I wasn't in the dark anymore. But that also meant that I had to make a trip somewhere to get ready for the event.

"Welcome to the American Boutique. My name is Betsy Rossanne. How may I help you?"

"I'm looking for a dress. A formal event is coming up and I want to look appropriate."

"I think I have what you're looking for," she smiled.

"Equipped with whatever I need?"

"Same stuff as last time. And what law will you be breaking this time?"

"One that will put me behind federal bars for life."

"Come on, Esther. Dish it out. What are you planning on doing?"

Sighing, "We're going to kidnap the President."

Betsy laughed. I gave her a very serious look. She stopped, stared, and headed to the back. Returning to me, she gave me a duffel bag filled with all the gear I would need.

"You know what this means, right?"

"Yep. I love you for this."

"I know. Now get out of here before I'm stuck with you and can't do a thing."

I smiled and left the shop. My first stop was a little café called Hearth of the Home. It was a Society coffee shop I could trust and grab some good hot chocolate from. I hailed a cab and asked to be dropped off about 2 blocks away from the Gates residence. I walked in on Patrick and Riley rigging the location of the President's birthday party. It was pretty funny listening to the lies they told the feds. I tried on the dress in a closed-off room to make sure it still fit. It did and I ran through a mental checklist of things I would need for the crime. A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

"Just thought I'd see how you were doing."

Ben closed the door behind and sat down in front of me.

"You don't think I'm ready for this."

"I'm not saying that at all. I'm checking-up on the past seer."

"No bloody battlefields, thank God."

We sat in silence, unsure what to say to the other.

"You know, Esther. You're kind of like the daughter I never had."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. I mean, I would've raised you a little differently."

"But I would still be part of the Society and have an interest in history. You can't deny that bit."

"True, but you wouldn't have had a troublesome influence."

"I know. And I'm glad that I'm over it. Can we move a little away from that part?"

My watch beeped and I knew we had to get moving. We needed to get to Mount Vernon as quickly as possible and being in the nation's capital wasn't helping that much.

"Guess it's time to get moving."

"I'm right behind you, Ben."