Death Mask (9 page)

“The same thoughts as you−surprise and wonderment. I haven’t spoken up because I’m not sure what to say. This offer is the furthest thing from what I expected?”

“Me too,’ Finn said. “There are a lot of variables to think about with making such a radical move.”

“Does that mean you’ll consider it?” Andrew asked.

“Not sure about her,” Finn said, tilting his head toward Andria. “But it sounds like an exciting opportunity to me.”

“Hold on, Mr. Winters,” Andrew said, holding up his hand. “I’m not sure I’ve made myself clear. This offer is a package deal.”

“Meaning what, exactly?” Finn asked.

“Meaning we want you both, as a team, or not at all. It’s a package deal.”

There was a long pause while the idea sank in.

Andria finally spoke up to break the silence.

“I’m flattered, Mr. Game, really I am, as I’m sure Finn is also,” Andria said. “But calling us a “team” is a bit of a stretch. We just met a little over a month ago…by accident. Who’s to say our success, or luck for that matter, wasn’t a fluke and will continue into the future. Admittedly, Finn and I do get along well and we did work well together on the
Death Mask
case, but the possibility of maintaining the same level of success seems a toss up at best to me.”

“I’d have to second her hesitation as well,” Finn said.

Andrew clasped his hands together and smiled. “I wouldn’t be so quick to sell yourselves short. After seeing you two together, first hand, and the way you compliment each other, I’d say your meeting each other was more of a
happy
accident of fate rather than random happenstance. The chemistry you two possess is a rare trait indeed. Hence, I’m confident your success was more than a fluke. Given the chance to prove it, I’d be willing to bet it would be more of a norm.”

“That may be,” Finn said. “But…”

“Tell you what. Let me go over a few more details of the job with you then you can go talk it over privately, during lunch. If you’re interested enough to consider it, come back and let me know. Then take all of next week to make your final decision. Fair enough?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Game. That sounds fair enough to me,” Finn said.

Andria didn’t speak but nodded her head in agreement.

“Great, then listen closely because I’m about to change both of your lives forever.”

Chapter 20

One week later Finn and Andria were back in Boston to discuss Andrew’s job offer.

“Thank you, Agent Kirsky,” Andrew said, over an intercom on his desk. “See them in.”

When they reached the office door, Finn stepped to the side and allowed Andria to enter the office first, then followed close behind her.

“Good morning, folks,” Andrew greeted. “It’s hard to believe it’s been a week already. I hope you’re presence here this morning is a good sign that you’re here with good news, ready to become recruits for the Powers Group.”

“Hello again, Mr. Game,” Finn said. “I hope so, too. But we have a small request before we agree.”

“Oh,” Andrew said, scrunching his eyebrows together. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“It’s nothing major,” Andria reassured him. “We just wanted to discuss the possibility of taking our first assignment on a trial basis to see how things go before agreeing to coming aboard full time.”

“Hmm,” Andrew mulled. “It’s certainly not the optimal choice or the one I was expecting, but not sure it’s a bad option either.”

“We both have vacation time coming to us,” Finn interjected. “And with all the attention associated with the
Death Mask
case, we thought a break from our regular jobs might be just what the doctor ordered.”

“So, you’re thinking you could try this job out while under the safety net of hiatus from your other job. Is that the idea?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds logical,” Andrew agreed. “I think that would work out just fine. Besides, even with your other job waiting safely in the wings, I’m confident that after your first case, you’ll enjoy the excitement so much, turning back won’t be an option.”

“Great!” Finn said.

“When can you start?” Andrew asked.

“There’s no time like the present. Andria and I, anticipating your approval of our offer, have already cleared our schedules for the next three months.”

“In that case, let me introduce you to “The Boss” and get the ball rolling. After that, I’ll get you set up in the system to initiate your clearance then we’ll go over the specifics for your first assignment.”

“Sounds good to me,” Finn said. “Just one more thing. With all this secrecy, I figure we’re gonna get codenames. Please tell me we get codenames.”

Andrew smiled, then tapped a thick file lying face down on his desk. “Recruits, you’re going to get way more than codenames. Today is the first day of the rest of your lives.”

Epilogue

Today, September 1, is Riley Stephenson’s birthday. After ninety trips around the sun, and quite literally living the proverbial “life of Riley”, he only wanted one thing—more time.

At 12:05 pm he was lounging in his favorite recliner dozing in and out of consciousness when the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be,” he mumbled. He wasn’t expecting company.

The doorbell rang once more before he could escape the confining clutches of the recliner. When he finally made it to the door a Federal Express delivery man, carrying a small package under this arm, was already halfway back to his truck.

When Mr. Stephenson opened the door the delivery man did an about-face and smiled. “Good afternoon,” Fed Ex said. “I have a package here for a Mr. Riley Stephenson.”

Mr. Stephenson furrowed his brow. “A package for me?” he said, as much a statement as a question.

“Yes, sir. If you’re Mr. Stephenson, that is. Just sign here, please.” The delivery man said, quickly closing the gap while holding out his clipboard.”

Mr. Stephenson adjusted his glasses and scribbled his name at the bottom of the page to accept the package.

“Whatever’s in there must be important,” The Fed Ex man said. “It was sent from overseas.”

Mr. Stephenson nodded, then turned and went back inside without a word.

He returned to his recliner where he retrieved a round magnifying glass from a drawer in the end table beside the chair. Carefully holding the glass above the label stuck to the corner of the package his eyes focused on the sender’s name and address:

Colonel George Brewer

Laburnam Villa, England

His eyes widened and his spirit lifted. Colonel Brewer was one of Mr. Stephenson’s long-time friends. They’d made acquaintance in India during one of Riley’s many adventurous travels and had kept in contact for many years via pen pal letters; a system they also used to engage in months long games of chess.

“Why, it’s a gift from my old friend Colonel Brewer!” Riley said, aloud.

Without delay Mr. Stephenson exchanged the magnifying glass for a pair of scissors from the end table drawer and went to work opening the box. After considerable effort, he managed to break through the packing tape and open the package’s flaps. Buried underneath two layers of bubble wrap was a handwritten letter from the Colonel. When Mr. Stephenson picked up the letter he saw a small, three inch by three inch object wrapped in newspaper.

Focusing his attention back at the letter he read:

Dear Friend,

Greetings from my beloved England.

Riley could almost hear the Colonel’s English accent as he read.

I hope this letter finds you well and happy. I’m writing you first of all to wish you a happy birthday. Attaining the age of Ninety years at the pace you ran the race of life is quite a feat. Congratulations my remarkable friend. And secondly to thank you for so many memories from the adventures we’ve shared over the years. As a token of my most sincere appreciation I offer you a gift that I picked up from an old Fakir I ran across during my last trip to India.

According to legend, this gift has had a spell cast on it that allows its owner three wishes. Now, before you wonder about my senility, let me assure you that I am still in full control of my faculties. Whether by coincidence or real magic I have seen first-hand that the legend is indeed true, for I have put it to the test. Perhaps you can find better use of your wishes than I, as my foolish use of them has brought me nothing but misery and misfortune.

Therefore my dear friend, I implore you to use your wishes carefully as I would be entirely distraught to find out later that my gift had transferred more bad luck onto you.

Your most esteemed friend and colleague,

Colonel George Brewer

Mr. Stephenson paused a few moments to let the details of the letter sink in then sat the letter on top of the end table beside him. Next, he reached down into the box to retrieve the small gift from the bottom of the Fed Ex box and carefully peeled away the newspaper wrapping.

When he removed the final sheet he discovered a tiny, mummified monkey’s paw. He was taken aback by such a strange gift that he held the paw up to the light and turned it over several times wanting to inspect it from every angle. When he was done, he held the paw in front of him for several minutes and stared, only he wasn’t staring, he was thinking.

Finally, after an hour of quiet contemplation he made a wish.

***

That same night, Finn and Andria received urgent messages ordering them to report to Andrew’s office immediately.

Less than two hours later they were sitting in Andrew’s office nervously waiting for information.

“Thank you both for responding so quickly,” Andrew said, entering the room from behind them. “I apologize for the inconvenience without clarification, but once I explain our position I think you’ll understand the need for urgency.”

“No problem, sir.” Finn said, responding for both of them.

“Earlier today, I received a call, an assignment, of the utmost importance asking that we retrieve a dangerous artifact capable of manipulating fate. This well known artifact is particularly popular within the literary community but is believed to be strictly fictional. We know otherwise. Agents Winters and Walker, the Monkey’s Paw has finally resurfaced.”

About the Author

Michael Devaney was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967. Educated at Mercer University, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Later studies at Kennesaw State University garnered him a Creative Writing certificate. An outdoor enthusiast, his articles have been published in
North American Whitetail
magazine and
Great Deer Tales
. His first novel,
The Inheritance
, was released in 2014. In addition to working on his next novel, he is currently a Staff Writer for the Dark Knight News. Michael also enjoys reading, movies and leisure travel with his family. He and wife, Beverly, have two children; son, Owen, here on earth and daughter, Emaleigh, up in heaven.

Please help cure childhood cancer.

Michael can be found online at:

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