December 12, 2009
Chapter 3: A Wolf's Secret
A few days had passed since the encounter with Camille and Rinsoar at the museum. RJ was recovering from the vicious blow to the head. Reclined in his green lounge chair with a bowl of potato chips, the wolf ranger watched the Ocean Bluff news.
Downstairs, the rest of the Jungle Fury team, including Fran, were hard at work setting up to open JKP. They were topping off the parmesan cheese shakers, taking out the sauce, dough, and other ingredients. "I know this sounds insensitive, even for Theo," Dom paused, laughing at the glare the jaguar threw him, "but, maybe we should go and ask that Hartford guy about the gem."
Lily had supported RJ in his decision to leave the archeologist out of it, but having been unsuccessful at finding another alternative; the cheetah was second guessing her decision. "I don't know Dom. RJ was pretty adamant about not involving Mr. Hartford."
Fran stopped slicing the pepperoni. She scrunched up her face, pensively thinking. "You know, he was rather touchy about even considering the whole thing."
"Yeah, that was weird," Casey mused in a soft voice.
"I wonder what Camille wanted with the gem?" Theo asked. "I'm sure it's powerful, but what purpose did it serve?" Before the others could try to respond, Theo cut them off, "And who was that guy?"
"That's what I was just about to ask," Casey said, the amount of vague clues was frustrating the tiger. It was quiet as the five continued to work.
"That's it, I'm going to that guy's house and just kindly asking him to tell us about the gem," Dom said with a tone of defiance. He threw down the dough cutter, beginning to undo the apron he was wearing.
"He's right. I don't know what RJ's problem is, but we have to get to the bottom of this," Casey told Theo and Lily, who nodded their heads in agreement.
"Cover for us, Fran," Theo half asked, half ordered, hanging his apron up.
"Thanks so much," Lily added gratefully, giving Fran her customary friendly smile. Completely befuddled by the impulsive and rebellious decision, Fran stood in the kitchen rambling incoherently. It took Fran a few minutes and a couple of deep breaths before realizing what had happened. She raced up the loft in pursuit of the restaurant owner.
Hartford Estate
Apprehensively, Casey rang the doorbell of the Hartford home. They listened nervously, the chime of the buzzer reminding them of church bells. An elderly gentleman in a coat tailed suit answered the door, his expression indifferent. "Can I help you?" he asked in a distinctive British accent.
Turning to the white ranger, whose idea it was to venture there, the rangers waited for Dom to speak. "Uh, we wanted to speak to an An-andrew Har-Hartford," the rhino stuttered.
"I see," the butler replied simply. He gestured for them to come in, leaving at once to inform his master that visitors had arrived.
"Wow, this place is big," Casey awed.
"It must be nice to have this type of money," Theo remarked, taking in the expensive furniture and such. A set of footsteps alerted the Jungle Fury rangers of people. Slowly they relaxed seeing the butler return with another gentleman in tow, who they presumed was Mr. Hartford.
"Please, sit down," Andrew offered, preferring to stand, himself. The rangers did as asked and sat on the couches in the living room. "Now, how can I help you?"
"Uh," Casey was interrupted by the doorbell, in which the butler promptly sought to answer. A moment later and RJ had appeared, clearly angry with his team.
"RJ," Mr. Hartford began, hugging the Pai Zhuq Master, "how are you? What brings you here?" he asked, having momentarily forgotten about the others.
"Ah, well, my team, actually," RJ said, clasping his hands together.
"I see, well, obviously you're here for a reason, might I guess it's about the Devil's Eye," Mr. Hartford sighed, a wave of remorse washing over him.
"I'm sorry Andrew. I didn't want to involve you, but we are in quite the jam," RJ relented, his friends watching intently as RJ and Mr. Hartford talked. "I'm also sorry I didn't attend the funeral, I deeply regret it. I . . ."
"No, I understand," Andrew soothed, putting a hand on RJ's shoulder in solace. Their conversation was interrupted when Spencer entered.
"Sir, you are needed," he said slowly, emphasizing the last word. The archeologist nodded his head in understanding, excusing himself for a minute. Spencer asked if the group wanted anything, but they declined.
When the butler was gone, Lily turned to the wolf ranger, "What was that?"
"Yeah, you two know each other?" Casey piped up, hurt that he and his friends had been mislead by their mentor.
Patiently, the four rangers waited for RJ to explain. The Pai Zhuq Master took a calming breath before addressing his team. "I know Andrew because he was the one I asked to help construct your solar morphers."
"He made these?" Theo interjected with a tone of skepticism.
"No, while he is quite knowledgeable about new technology, he helped by introducing me to a person capable of creating them," RJ paused, his breath momentarily quivering, "One of the rangers who died in that cave-in was the person to develop your morphers, Rose Ortiz."
Lily cupped her hand over her mouth in horror and sadness. Growing up with RJ, training at Pai Zhuq together, led Dom to believe something else was bothering RJ. "Dude, there's more, what is it?"
RJ grimaced at the painful thought. "When I spoke to Mr. Hartford in efforts to find someone to help me build the solar morphers, he asked if I could interpret a scroll written by a deceased Pai Zhuq Master, Master Rilla. I eagerly complied and soon after sent him the translation which turned out to be the location of the cave his son and colleague died in." His bangs hanging in his face, no one could see the tears welling up in RJ's eyes.
"You can't blame yourself, RJ," Casey comforted. "You didn't know that was going to happen."
"You thought you were helping a friend," Lily soothed.
Andrew returned, feeling he had missed something as he watched his guests sit huddled around RJ. "I'm sorry I was gone so long, I had to take care of something. Do you want me to give you a moment?" the billionaire asked, uncomfortable.
"Uh, no, please, we would really like to hear about the diamond," Casey insisted. The Jungle Fury rangers composed themselves and listened to Andrew.
"The Devil's Eye is named for the king said to be trapped inside. However, that is impossible. I presume that the minerals or properties of the diamond create a valuable energy source, giving it that magical quality. Which is perhaps why it is so coveted to those that you are fighting with?"
"Why is it impossible that the diamond contains that king?" Lily asked.
"Because," Andrew began, "while exploring the civilization, which for the most part was in complete ruins, we found the tomb that the king had been buried in, or so we believe it to be the tomb. It had several similarities of Egyptian tombs I've seen." The archeologist stopped and took a deep breath. "I really wish I could be of more help, but my team and I didn't get to dissect much of that wondrous cave as a result of the . . . accident," Mr. Hartford finished, looking away to blink back tears.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Hartford. We're sorry to have bothered you," Lily said graciously, walking out with RJ, the others following the cheetah and wolf ranger out.
"Thank you," Casey acknowledge, before running out to the jeep.
Andrew's face twisted in contradiction, but it was necessary that he not divulge everything. Spencer closed the door behind them and turned to his employer. "Will said he and the others found nothing," shared Andrew with his friend, as he walked over to the formal living room window and watched his guests leave.
~ End Chapter 3