The next 30 minutes comprised of them touring rooms, the library, dining facilities, and then talking budgets. The annual costs made Ben’s eyes water, and that was for the basic package. When dear old mom or dad needed additional medical care and supervision, the costs went skyward and kept going until you sailed past the moon.
Ben and Emma smiled and nodded, trying to keep straight faces.
“Very reasonable,” Ben said, while Emma turned to him and made her eyes go crossed.
Eventually, Mrs. Hurley began to lead them back down the staircase. The mahogany banister now gleamed, and Ben felt the silken surface still had a touch of orange oil that made it feel like silk and also gave off a faint but pleasant citrus odor.
Jenny was still downstairs waiting for them and he nodded to her. His plan was to ask Mrs. Hurley to be able to wander around unescorted, but didn’t like his chances. Even if the hawk-eyed woman left him, he doubted they’d be out of sight of one or more of the large nurse-butlers.
They came to the last few steps; Ben still trailed his hand on the banister, preparing to lift it over the carved newel post, when he saw it.
On top of the stair post was a carved globe — the planet Earth. Ben nudged Emma and leaned closer to her.
“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
She turned to him, and then followed his gaze. Her brows knitted for a moment before her jaw dropped into an open-mouth grin. “Could it be?”
“Under the Earth. Not, under the earth,” he whispered. “Got to be.”
CHAPTER 10
The torrential rain abruptly stopped as if it had been turned off at the tap. For many minutes on the plateau top, water ran from treetops, palm fronds, and also ran in rivulets along the jungle animal trails.
Above the treetops, the boiling purple clouds opened in a circular hole, letting in a widening column of light and making the massive lake shine like a blue jewel.
Leathery winged creatures glided from the trees to skim a surface that was lined with motion ripples, popping bubbles, and upsurges as unseen things below got on with the business of eat or be eaten.
Along the far shoreline, a herd of plant eaters grazed on rich mosses or lichens at the water line, their duck-like bills grazing on the protein-rich soft, green growth right down to the water.
A hundred feet out from them in the lake, an enormous dark lump appeared. Bulbous eyes popped open to watch them. After another moment, the lump glided closer, and then slowly eased back down below the surface. Huge muscles coiled.
For one unlucky plant eater, the price of a good meal was death.
CHAPTER 11
“What is it?” Jenny asked, after seeing Ben and Emma’s animation on the staircase.
“A clue, we think,” Ben whispered back. “Keep Nurse Ratchet busy for a minute.”
Jenny nodded and then strode towards Mrs. Hurley who was signing some forms on a computer tablet for one of the hulking male nurses. She looked up and smiled as Jenny approached.
“Can you please tell me about visiting hours and guests staying, if you don’t mind?” She stood where it made Mrs. Hurley face away from the staircase.
Ben grabbed Emma’s arm and quickly guided her closer to the post. He placed a hand casually on the globe and tried to tilt it, turn it, and even press down on it. He rapped on it with his knuckles. Nothing; seemed solid.
Too obvious, he thought.
“Cover me,” he whispered and positioned Emma between one of the nurses and the post and knelt down to untie and slowly retie his shoelace.
He looked at the wooden post; it was unblemished on its carved and buffed sides. He reached around Emma and quickly felt the bottom step — tight, no give in it, no flaps or hidden doors on the riser or step top.
Ben then checked where it met the floor; thankfully, the lower ground had rugs and not carpet, and the floorboards were polished to a mirrored sheen. They also fit flush. There were several screw holes at the base — 3 of them, with the furthest post side being flush against the steps. He put his fingers over the screw holes and pressed — left side, nothing, front, nothing. Then pressed the last, the one at the back — a small panel at the base of the steps popped open.
“Bingo,” Emma said softly.
Ben looked up and grinned, and then quickly looked around for any spectators. He was in the clear, so he reached in, and immediately felt something covered in cloth. He grabbed at it, just as from behind he heard a growing electronic whine. He looked over his shoulder.
Ah crap, Ben thought as he saw the old lady in a motorized chair was wheeling towards him, her pale, rheumy eyes moving from him to the open panel.
Ben grabbed the package and drew it free. It was bigger, thicker, and heavier than he expected. He’d never be able to sneak it out.
Emma kicked back at him, and he looked up to see Jenny and Mrs. Hurley approaching.
Shit. He looked around and grinned as the old lady was now only feet away. She raised one drawn-on eyebrow at him.
“Hi there.” He shut the panel. “Mind this.” He reached out to place the book on her lap, and then quickly turned and stood in front of her.
“Well, this has been most informative.” He forced his smile.
“Did you get everything you needed?” Mrs. Hurley smiled back tightly.
“I think we did.” The corners of Emma’s eyes crinkled.
“Emma and I will talk to mom tonight.” From behind Ben, he heard the whine of the wheelchair and he glanced over his shoulder to see the old lady motoring down the length of the room towards a set of the open doors.
“Well, we’ll be in touch.” He looked around, and at the same time grabbed Emma by the arm. “Thank you for everything; your facilities are wonderful.”
Jenny went to head to the front doors, but Ben held Emma back. “Um, do you mind if we have one last look at your magnificent gardens?”
“Be my guest.” Mrs. Hurley offered him her slim and manicured hand.
Ben shook it and turned on his heel, dragging Emma with him. Jenny was left behind with knitted brows, and he could feel Mrs. Hurley’s eyes on him every step of the way.
Ben headed to the open door, moving quickly.
“What is it?” Emma asked.
“The notebook; the old woman’s got it.” He stopped.
“Which one?” Emma’s eyes widened as they stepped out into the sunshine.
“The one in the wheel…” Ben groaned; there were around a dozen men and women in wheelchairs, all nearly identical, save for the odd book or teacup in their hands. All had nicely coiffed hairdos of cotton-white and maybe a hint of purple here and there.
“What was she wearing?’ Emma said.
“Old lady stuff,” Ben replied, chuckling.
“Great, that at least rules out most of the old men.” Emma exhaled.
“Come on; meet and greet time.” Ben led her forward.
Ben pasted on his most endearing smile, and Emma hooked her arm over his. Together, they walked along in front of the row of men and woman, smiling, nodding, and stopping to chat to a few here and there. Ben wished he had paid more attention when he threw the book at the woman.
He felt a knot of impatience growing in his stomach. They were fast running out of time, and also out of white hair, when Emma nudged him. “Hello, look, over there.”