A/N: Ok so this chapter focuses more on Ben and Abigail and I think the next chapter might too…I'm not sure yet. But there is a smidge of Riley in the middle of this chapter cuz I mean, how could I leave that cutie out? You also see another side of Ian too, a possible set up for some IanRiley slash…hmmm ; ) it's possible but I'm not sure yet.
Disclaimer: National Treasure is not and never will be…: (
Independence Hall had become less crowded since the last time Ben and Abigail were there, and Ben was grateful for that. He wanted to figure out the clue that was going to get the treasure and save Riley without having a whole swarm of tourists breathing down his neck.
When they entered the building, they jumped onto a tour that was just about to get started. As the tour guide went on and on about facts Ben could recite in his sleep, he and Abigail slipped away into the signing room where they could get some peace and quiet, at least for a little while.
"Ok," Ben said, setting the gray container onto one of the tables. "We have fifteen minutes before the next tour comes in, we have to move fast." He opened the canister and pulled out the document, handing if off to Abigail, who unrolled it and held it out in front of Ben. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out Benjamin Franklin's spectacles. Putting them on, he looked down at the seemingly blank paper. It now exposed the familiar clue: 'Heere at the Wall.' Ben stared at the clue for a few moments, before expelling a frustrated sigh and removing the glasses.
"Heere at the Wall," He muttered under his breath as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. "The Wall could mean Wall Street…"
"But what about the other part of the clue," Abigail asked. "Heere with two E's?"
"Well, Wall street follows the path of an actual wall built by the Dutch as a defense to keep the British out. The main gate was located on a street called Deheere, also two E's. Later, Deheere was renamed Broadway, after the British got in."
"So Heere at the Wall, Wall Street, Broadway…I think we just figured out this next clue!" Abigail exclaimed. She would've jumped for joy if not for the valuable document in her hands.
"I think we did," Ben matched her excited tone. He was now one step closer to the treasure, which means he was once step closer to saving Riley. "Pack your bags Abigail; we're going to New York." He took the declaration from her hand and rolled it up, sticking it back in its protective container. "When we get back to the car, I'll call Ian and tell him to meet us in New York City tomorrow morning."
"I'm afraid you and Dr. Chase aren't going anywhere, Mr. Gates." An unfamiliar voice shattered their momentary celebration. Ben and Abigail spun around only to come face to face with a horde of FBI agents blocking the doorway. One of them stepped forward, flashing his badge as he spoke again. "My name is Agent Sedusky, and you two are going to be coming with me. Now, hand over the Declaration of Independence and face the wall with your hands behind your back." He ordered.
Ben surrendered the document over to Sedusky as he and Abigail did as they were told and faced the wall. Their hands were cuffed behind their backs and they were escorted out of Independence Hall. One step closer to the treasure turned into about five steps behind in a matter of minutes. The clock was ticking and all Ben could do now was sit there and watch the time slip through his fingers.
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Riley didn't remember the point at which he had fallen asleep on the cold cement floor of his confinement. In fact, he only realized that he was sleeping when he was awakened by the sound of the door creaking open, and the stomping of heavy boots moving across the floor towards him. The computer whiz opened his eyes just enough to see the face of whoever was standing above him. It was Ian, and by the looks of it, he was holding a plate of something in his hand. Confused, but interested, Riley sat up. As soon as he did, a wave of dizziness hit the techie like a ton of bricks, causing him to wobble a bit and place a steady hand on his forehead.
"You hungry?" He heard Ian ask. Feeling the wooziness subside, Riley met his kidnapper's eyes with a bemused expression.
"You take me hostage, beat me senseless, threaten me at gunpoint and now you want to feed me?" Riley shook his head in disbelief. "I swear, Ian, you are one messed up dude."
"I told you, Riley; I'm really not a bad person." Ian countered, trying to keep the growing anger in his voice down to a controllable level.
"Whatever you say Ian," the geek rolled his eyes and returned to his recumbent position on the floor.
"Fine. Starve to death for all I care," Ian threw his free hand up in a fit of frustration. "It'll make my job a whole lot easier." The Brit faced the door and angrily stormed out, shutting off the single light in the middle of the room as he did. The door was shut once more, and Riley found himself immersed in the shadows.
"That's some story," Agent Sedusky concluded, leaning back in his chair and shifting his gaze back and forth from Ben to Abigail.
"Well it's the same story I tried to tell you guys before the Declaration was stolen." Ben stated very matter-of-factly.
"By you?"
"No. By Ian."
"If this 'Ian' person stole the Declaration of Independence, how come it was in your possession when we arrested you?" Sedusky asked.
"I stole it to stop Ian from stealing it." Ben explained. Abigail defended him with a nod.
"Well, it looks like your job is done now, so here are your options—"
"Mr. Sedusky, I don't mean to interrupt, but there's still one very important thing I need to tell you." Ben cut off the FBI agent, already knowing what he was going to say. Prison was the only option here, but he wasn't going anywhere, not with Riley still in the clutches of that mad man.
Interested, Sedusky leaned in folding his hands atop his desk and looking attentive. "And what would that be. Mr. Gates?"
Ben took a breath and, after a long beat, spoke. "Ian is holding my friend hostage for the treasure, and if I don't find it within 72 hours, he's going to kill him." Ben hoped that if wouldn't have to come to this point, especially since Ian told them specifically not to get the authorities involved, but under these circumstances Ben had no choice.
Agent Sedusky nodded his head thoughtfully. "I see." He sat back in his chair again, looking down at the glasses that now resided on his desk. Ben watched agent Sedusky as he moved the colorful optics, alternating between the red and the blue lenses. As the lenses switched, Ben became fixated on the changing colors and how they affected the paper behind them. And that's when the treasure hunter realized:
"There's more to the clue."
And that's when phone rang.
A/N: I know, I know. That's about the oldest cliff hanger in the book. I'm sorry. But don't worry, the next chapter is where things start to get interesante..so review and I'll write it faster….