Look
for the thermostat. It will be behind my desk. Carmen remembered from her
father’s letter. When you find it, input
your birthday.
Following her father’s instructions, Carmen raised a
shaking hand to the thermostat keypad. Hesitating, she glanced at Maryellen,
who nodded, prompting Carmen to continue. As Carmen continued to look at
Maryellen, she realized just how much she risked Maryellen’s life by being
around her. “Maryellen.” Carmen started but paused, not wanting to make
Maryellen or her support leave. “I’m sorry, but I really need to do this
alone.”
Carmen saw the flash of disappointment spread across
Maryellen’s eyes before she masked it with compassion. “I understand honey,”
Maryellen said as she left the room.
Turning back to the thermostat, Carmen inputted the
numbers of her birthday. The LED screen flashed green as the thermostat split
open. A biometric scanner smoothly slid from the hole in the wall and Carmen
tentatively placed her hand on it. As the scanner confirmed her finger prints,
she thought back to her father’s instructions. After you have scanned your hand, the bookcases should divide to reveal
a hidden room.
After the room opened up for her, Carmen glanced around
the space she never had known existed. Towards the back of the room, she saw
the safe. Entering the room, she scanned the area only to see three empty
walls.
The code to the safe will be
harder to find. I have left you clues to find it, starting with the Qianlong
Vase. Carmen
stepped up to the safe and hesitated one last time. Looking at the safe, she
was disappointed to only see a number dial. Feeling as if she had missed
something, she continued to stare at the safe. Thinking back to the last clue
her father had left, ‘Carmenlove,’ she pondered what to do.
Finally figuring out the next step, Carmen pulled out her
phone and used the keypad to find the numbers associated with each letter.
Hoping she was right, she turned the dial: 22-76-36-56-83
When the safe’s lock clicked open, Carmen released the
breath she hadn’t known she was holding and she slowly eased the thick metal
safe door ajar, just enough so she could peer inside. She gently pulled out the
manila fold that was on top of a stack of items. Curious, she opened it and
pulled out sheets of blue paper. On closer inspection, she discerned they were
instructions to build nuclear missiles.
Shaking, Carmen picked up her phone and called The Voice
before she ran out of time. After one short ring, The Voice answered, “It’s
about time you got into that safe.” He grumbled.
“W-what is it you want out of it” Carmen hopped he
desired anything but the envelope in her hands.
“Your father stole a folder of blueprints from me. I want
them back.” The Voice demanded.
Crumpling to her knees, Carmen dropped the blueprints and
used the last little bit of her strength not to cry out. Felling guilty for
helping this psychotic man, she tried to form a plan to stop him. I can’t give him these blueprints. So many
people will be murdered if I do but if I don’t, I risk innocent lives at the
parade.
Abruptly, a plan formed in Carmen’s mind, giving her
courage and purpose. “If you want these blueprints, you are going to come here
for a trade. I will give you what you want and you will destroy the detonators
to the bomb on my wrist and the one at the parade. If you try to double-cross
me by setting off the explosives on my arm, you will end up destroying these
precious blueprints along with me. Also, if you kill anyone at the parade, I
will burn the blueprints before you could ever get your grimy hands on them.”
Carmen demanded.
“Fine, you little brat.” Fury flooded his words.
“Good. I will see you in ten minutes. Don’t be late or
you can wish these blueprints good-bye.” Carmen felt a rush of pleasure at
finally having control of the whole situation.
To Be Continued…
