Fire Book One

Now that the Phoenix kids had moved out, Haven seemed almost deserted, well not quite, of course, Linda thought, as the sound of boys' thundering hooves approached.  Andy lead the charge into the dinning room followed closely by Neal.  They came to an abrupt halt when there wasn't a huge buffet line set up.

Tom smiled and said, "We're getting back to 'normal', gentlemen.  Have a seat and the staff will serve us.  Remember, Wednesday night is always formal.  I'll excuse dress this time."  Everyone filed in and took seats at the long dining table.  Tom sat at one end and Leo at the other.  Once everyone was seated Tom asked Lee what was happening with the construction at his place.

"I went by today and Samuel was acting like a fire was lit in his shorts.  He was like an orchestra conductor.  The basement and first floor are framed in and so is a good part of the second floor.  The elevator shaft is done and the elevator company said they would be installing it tomorrow.  It will go from the basement to the observation deck on the roof.  Lou will have full access.  The company is installing a Battery Backup System that will power the elevator enough to make two trips to the basement in an emergency; it opens right by the entrance to the shelter which has been fully upgraded to modern standards."

Tom grinned, "Samuel seems to be a man possessed.  Now that The Phoenix House is completed he wants to get the new school built.  He has the contractors competing on your house to win the school contract.  He is having a great time.  I'm thinking of getting him a new truck, the biggest one I can find and having 'The BOSS' painted on the sides."

Everyone was laughing even the kids.  Travis piped up with, "Uncle Tommy, shouldn't that be The BIG Boss."

Nick added, "The lad makes a good point.  I'll talk to my contact in Detroit and see what we can do."

"Sounds like a plan.  Let 'Philip' review it for any input he might want to add." Tom said.

Neal rolled his eyes, "Jeez, this is going to be some truck!"

The next day Custom Trucks in Detroit was busy.  The custom design began with a propane engine that was cutting edge technology and as efficient as anything on the market; that was teamed with an electric motor and new patented Watkins Industry storage cells as a super hybrid.  With the solar cells on the roof and hood the truck would be able to run during the day without using the gas engine at all except in high load situations. The interior was like an SUV with seating for seven.  The bed was designed to carry 4X8 ft. Plywood sheet flat with room to spare.  There were tool compartments in the fender space along the bed of the truck.  One of them Nick had designed as a grill for cooking on site (He was a chef, after all.).

The elevator company was on time and went right to work installing the system.  State of the art just begins to describe the advances in this system.  There was a computer control that was tied into the main house server that could, in an emergency, function independently.  'Philip' had developed the module and a slightly less advanced version was now available from Watkins Enterprises© with the American distributor being, of course, Haven Enterprises.  Patent rights were going to 'James' and 'Philip' in separate Swiss Bank Accounts and nobody knew what they were going to do with the money. By the end of the day the elevator was installed and the inner finished cabin was stored in the basement.  Samuel would install that when construction was finished.  Now it could be used to lift men and materials to any floor where it was needed.

The Elevator crew then went to their next assignment, Haven Manor and an old 1937 model that was still functioning but just barely, according to the work order.  They dropped off their equipment and headed to their hotel.

That evening, Samuel came to the Manor to speak with the future residents of his project.  "The House is way ahead of schedule.  The Basement is complete and the first floor has passed inspection for Electric and Plumbing.  We are having each floor inspected as they are ready rather than waiting until the entire structure is complete.  We will be completing the second floor, the family floor, in the next few days and I will be needing the paint and carpet selections.  By the middle of next week we will be ready for the third floor and will need Martha and Nick's input.  Also what are we to be doing with the other rooms on that floor?"

Lee chuckled, "Samuel, chill.  We have what you need right here.  I'm truly impressed with how this project is progressing.  I never dreamed it would go this fast.  I feel like we're on a TV show."

Samuel grinned, "No way, we're taking the time to do it right.  'Philip' has been a tremendous help.  He has scheduled everything as tight as can be without compromising quality.  I keep busy making sure everything is done by the time the next step is to begin.  At this rate, another two and a half weeks and your new 'Fire Safe' home should be ready to move into.  Some of these materials are very nice to work with.  The metal studs have holes already in them for running pipes and wires.  Electrical and plumbing jobs that used to take days now take hours.  I'm going to use a lot of this in the new school.  Which reminds me I need to go back to that site tomorrow.  Lee would you like to ride out there with me?"

"Yes I would.  I wouldn't mind a look at the new house either.  It's hard to imagine a three story house in place of the ranch my grandparents lived in."

"I'll pick you up at 7:30 then."  Samuel smiled and made his exit.

Linda snuggled closer to Lee, and Martha and Nick left to find their own space.

"Hey handsome, we're having a baby." Linda teased.

"A baby?  What happened to the twin?" Lee retorted and he hugged his wife.

"Don't worry.  Doc says they are fine and I'll probably feel them soon."

"Well the due date is theoretically August but with twins they will probably come early.  So say June would be seven months..."

"Just six to the boys.  Do you think they will figure it out?"

"You did, and at about their age."

"Maybe I can hold on until the end of June."

"July fourth?"

"NO!  You'd want to name one Yankee and the other Doodle."

They giggled and enjoyed a lovely evening.

Samuel met them at breakfast the next morning.  After eating, Nick drove Tom's van with Martha, Linda and Lee, following Samuel to the house site.  As you entered the ground floor you were in a large foyer; to the left was the dining room that was large enough for everyone and several guests.  A doorway on the far side of the dining room took you into 'The Kitchens'.  It was really two kitchens in one.  Half of the room was a full commercial kitchen that would be the dream of any chef, the other side of the large room was a super deluxe domestic kitchen that everyone's grandmother would kill for.  Martha and Nick were thrilled.

The other side of the first floor was family living space with a family room, game room, play room and then access to the garage where there was a nice workshop and parking space for six vehicles.  The elevator was straight ahead as you entered the foyer.  They went to the basement.  There was a pool for swimming and a slide and diving board.  There was even a water-friendly wheelchair that could be used by Lee or Lou to get in or out of the water.  Then there was a gym, fully equipped for everyone concerned.

The second floor was for the family.  There was a hall leading left and right from the elevator.  To the right were the boy's rooms.  At the end on the left was Andy's room.  It had an adjoining room set for a study room, and there was a full bath complete with hand rails so he could manage without his prosthesis. On the right were three bedrooms for Mitch, Travis and Lou.  Next to the elevator was a therapy room for Lou.  Across the hall from that room was the door to the Master Suite.  There was a sitting room and then the master bedroom, a full bathroom with Jacuzzi and multi nozzle shower for two.  Twin walk-in closets and then a nursery that would convert to a child's bedroom easily.

To the left of the elevator were the offices.  Linda actually had the biggest.  There was an outer office with a reception area and a place for a receptionist.  A records room and then her office as the Director of Child Protective Services.

Lee's office was at the end of the hall and was large enough for anything he could think of and still have room left over.  He did notice support bars installed and a huge wiring panel.  "Where does all this go?" he asked Samuel pointing to the panel.

"I'm not totally clear on that and neither was Dang.  It seems to be something 'Philip' added to the plan.  There are actually several things like that."

Linda shook her head, "I hope he knows what he's doing, this time."

Samuel grinned.  Lee patted her gently on her back, "I'm sure he has a very good plan."

Linda mumbled something that sounded a lot like, "That makes one of us."

They met Nick and Martha at the elevator.  They were both excited by all the appliances in their side of the kitchen.  Samuel grinned, "There is a switch on the wall that will elevate the table in the middle of the room into a workstation.  I thought that would be cool.  Also when elevated, a panel pops up with electrical outlets so you can use appliances there."

Up on the third floor there was a lot of activity.  Sam showed them what would be Martha and Nick's suite.  It was so much more than either of them imagined.  The other side of the floor was a series of bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.  There were eight of them, four on each side of the hall.  One room was different the walls were reinforced and the window didn't open.  The door was steel and had a double dead bolt lock.

Nick watched as wiring was run from the door into the wall and finally into the conduit going down.  "An electric door?  Interesting."

Linda studied the room, "Why that eavesdropping pile of electronic garbage.  He actually has done a rather good job of this.  The kid will not know how different this room is."

Lee grinned at his wife, "See he's not all bad."

"Lee!  I never said he was."

The others all laughed.

They returned to the ground floor and Lee wanted to take a look around.  The old barn was still the same on the outside but he saw several workmen go in.  When he went in he was surprised there was a wonderful office space set up.  There was even what looked like a lab of some kind.  He looked at one of the boxes.  The address label read 'Nick Regnad Investigations'.

Lee smiled; it was probably a good idea for his office to be separate from the house.  The boys could get terribly nosy and this was close enough.  Lee rejoined the others and they headed off to the school site.

Samuel took one look and knew the surveyor's flags had been moved.  "I guess we need to have some action taken.  The markers have been moved again.  They were pretty smart; they took out the dummy cameras.  I hope 'Philip' has some good pictures."

Nick said, "I'll see what 'Philip' has and get it to Eric."

Lee shook his head, "No, let's see what the electronic sleuth has for us.  As the Principal I might be the one to handle this."

"Lee, I'm not sure...  With your back..." Linda worried.

"I think I can handle this.  If it doesn't work then we can proceed with criminal charges." Lee reassured his wife.  They walked the school site and got a rough idea of where things would be.  Lee kept looking across the road to the County High School, "If this school goes the way I hope, I wonder what the School Board is going to do?"

Mitch and Travis were in Social Studies and had the time to work on their assigned reports.  Mitch's was a report on Great Brittan and Travis's was on Russia.  For some reason Travis was drawn to Russia.  Suddenly he said out loud, "Crap, look at that!"

The kids naturally giggled, Mrs Williams frowned and walked over to the table where the twins were working.  She looked at his paper, which had his name so she knew which one she was talking to.  "Travis, you know better than to use language like that..."

"Sorry Mrs. Williams, but my book is written in Russian!"

Mitch looked at what he was pointing at.  There was a paragraph in Russian, "That sure does look like it.  Way Kewl Bro!  Maybe you have some Russian connection."

"Oh, sure, like I'm the lost Great Great Grandson of the Czar." Travis replied.

Mrs. Williams rolled her eyes, "Well, Travis, just keep up your research.  I think you will find that, that is impossible."

"Oh, sure, Mrs. Williams, I know that.  The entire family was assassinated when the Communists took over.  Even the kids.  That was just wrong."

"I'm looking forward to reading your report.  Now let's see if we can continue without disturbing the rest of the class."

Travis blushed, "Sorry."

At the end of class Sarrah Gulicski came up to the twins, "Hi Mitch, hi Travis, Did you say you had a book written in Russian?  My Grandparents on Mom's side are from Russia and have been teaching me to speak and read Russian.  We don't have much written stuff to read and I would really like to give it a try sometime."

"Hey,cool.  I'll run upstairs at lunch and you can try during study hall."

"Okay, thanks."  She turned back to Mitch, "You going to be there too, Mitch?"

Mitch blushed, "Ah... Sure."

Sara walked away and it looked like her feet were barely touching the floor.

"Hey Mitch, did you notice she could tell us apart."

"Huh?"

"Earth to Mitch, Earth to Mitch.  Bro, come back to us."

"Sarrah likes me."

"Oh Lord help us.  Love in the fifth grade."

*  *  *

At lunch Sarrah sat with Mitch and Travis.  When Travis went to get his book Sarrah moved next to Mitch and maybe a sheet of paper could fit between them.  "Mitch, do you like me?"

"Ah... Ah... Yeah, sure."  Mitch's head was spinning and something else was suddenly making sitting a bit uncomfortable.

"I like you too, a lot."  She took Mitch's hand in hers and they sat there looking into each other's eyes.

Across the cafeteria Patty was sitting holding Monty's hand in a similar manner.  "Look Monty, one of the twins has a girlfriend."

"Donny or Danny?"

"Not those twins... Mitch and Sarrah, I don't remember her last name."

Monty looked over at the new couple, "From the looks of it he may need some lube."  Giggle.

Giggle, "Yeah, about a quart should do it."

"If they try what we did, that would be quite a scene."

Giggle, giggle, "Yeah, a quart scene."  Giggle, giggle.

Travis returned with the book, "Here it is."

Sarrah took the book and marveled at the fine leather binding and the gold crest on the cover.  She slowly read the title, then translated, "The History of Family Czar of All the Russias."  She looked up at the boys, "I don't think this is going to be real exciting reading."

Mitch said, "Well there is something very important about that book."

Sarrah sighed and began reading, "Chapter One, Egilmar I of Lerigau..."

*  *  *

After school the usual activity for Tuesday took place.  The older boys completed their homework and had their Scout Uniforms on before dinner.  After dinner they were anxious to get to the meeting to see Mr. Little's reaction when the Phoenix boys arrived.  {Author's Note: See the story '316', soon to be released on www.paddedroom.us}

*  *  *

Travis, Mitch and Sarrah, together, reading the book, became a common sight.  The boys were actually surprised that it WAS interesting.  The author had really told the story of each ancestor quite well.  All the court intrigue, backstabbing, affairs and double crosses were there.  The wars and struggles for power and how the Royal Family of most of Europe was interrelated.  After about a week, they made it to page 392, the story on that page was not in any way different, just the penciled in letters and numbers, SKW2384295, in the margin.

Another week and they had finished the book.  No clue in the text or other writings in the margins.  Just the picture of the woman in her late teens or early twenties.  The inscription was so faded they couldn't make it out.

Mitch suggested, "We move next week and maybe Uncle Nick can do something with the picture in his new lab."

"Yeah, that's a great idea.  I wonder...  'Philip'?"

'Yes, Travis, how may I help you?'

"What do you make of this number on page 392 of my Russian book?  SKW2384295."

'Processing. The first three numbers would indicate Swiss bank but there are not enough numbers, there should be ten digits after the letters.'

Mitch jumped up, "The page number, that's why it is written on that page!"

'That may well be.  Checking the bank records...  I have the account, last activity listed in January 1916.'

Travis looked in the front of the book, "This book was published in 1915."

"I wonder how much money is in that account?" Mitch asked.

'There is an original deposit amount of £1,000,000 but the vault is the interesting thing.  It is large and is in the highest security area.  There is a key required to enter the vault and a specified piece of identification, a photo.'

Travis picked up the picture and wondered if this was the photo.  "Thanks 'Philip'!  Where is Uncle Nick?"

'He is currently on his way here from town where he and Sheriff Henry were discussing their evidence about the vandalism at the school site with Mr. Clemets. '

"Kewl, Thanks.  C'mon Mitch, let's meet him when he gets here."

The twins headed for the kitchen which was Nick's preferred point of entry.

*  *  *

Lee was in his office working on some plans Dang had sent via 'Philip' Lou was in his wheelchair pulled up to a table and was intently drawing and coloring.  "Dada, 'ook.  'Kool ou'ide."

Lee was amazed this little guy had so changed all their lives.  Just a month ago he had been locked up in a smelly closet and barely kept alive.  Now he was rapidly learning to talk, his mind was sharp and he was a hugely talented artist.  Lee looked at the picture and was amazed; it was the front view of the new school.  He looked and Lou had in front of him the blueprint of the front and from that he had drawn a wonderful picture.  "Lou, Daddy is very proud of you.  This is good, very good."

Lee was rewarded with a huge grin.  Lee marveled on how well the twins and Lou related.  If he didn't know better he would think... No not triplets that was stretching things too far.  It was hard enough dealing with Mitch and Travis being born months apart but Lou was years younger.  No that was too far fetched, wasn't it?

"'Philip', I need to talk to Leo."

'I will let him know when he returns from the hospital.'

"Thank you."

*  *  *

The move to the new house was upon them and went flawlessly.  All the boys were thrilled with their new rooms.  Martha and Nick were totally thrilled with their rooms on the third floor and their kitchen on the first.  Nick's office in the old barn was state of the art and 'Philip' had the lab equipped with enough high technology gadgets to make any CSI drool.

The third night in the new house Nick said to Lee when they were alone, "Have Mitch and Travis told you about the book?"

"Well I know he has it and it was the one thing he had from his mother..."

"Well there is more.  'Philip' has found a connection to a Swiss Bank account and vault.  It requires a key and another bit of identification to enter the vault.  I have found both."

Lee stared at Nick, "Okay..."

"The key is behind the seal on the cover of the book.  The other is the photo that was in the book.  It is a picture of the last Czarina of Russia.  On the back the ink had faded to not be legible, but in English it read, "To my descendants the key to good life, the book of the Romanovs."

"So what is there to find?" Lee asked.

Nick sighed, "I really don't know.  The value of the account is well in excess of a hundred and fifty million dollars.  The original deposit was one million pounds made in 1915."

Lee's eyes went huge, "With compound interest and almost a hundred years..."

 "Exactly.  We need to get over there and check it out.  I would go but I really think Travis needs to be accompanied by one of his adoptive parents."

"Yes and that would be me at this point.  I guess we need to make arrangements for passports and tickets."

"Well, 'Philip' has been his usual efficient self and has that taken care of.  He even supplied pictures, I think he did well."  Nick handed Lee two new passports.

"That's a good picture of Travis, and not too bad of me either."

"Here are your tickets." Nick grinned as he passed the folder to Lee.

"These are for next Monday!"

"Well, we all want to know what is in the vault."

"I guess we need a family meeting..."

As he said the words the rest of the family entered the room.  They had obviously been eavesdropping.  Nick laughed, "No secrets in this house."

"Well, any input?" Lee asked.

Linda who looked more like six months pregnant than the four she really was said, "Well you don't expect me to travel like this do you?"

"Of course not, Dear."

"So you think I'm too fat to fly?"

"Of course not, Dear."

"You're not getting out of this that easy, Mister."

Andy, Mitch, Travis, Nick and even Martha giggled.

Lee grinned and replied, "Of course not, Dear."  Everyone including Linda broke into laughter.  Lou even smiled.

Mitch frowned, "What about me?  Can I go too?"

Linda said, "Not this time, sweetheart, Lou needs you and I need you here too."

Travis hugged his brother, "I'll really miss you but the tickets are to leave Monday and return on Thursday."

Nick smiled, "We'll have you home in time for your Webelos meeting."

"Oh, yeah we're finishing our Citizen Activity Pin.  We almost have all the pins now.  We'll be bridging up next month."

*  *  *

On Monday morning, Lee and Travis left for the airport.  They carried the book with them.  Lee told Travis to remove the key from the book.  Lee placed it on his key ring.  Lee explained that the security at the airport would x-ray the book and having the key inside the book could create a problem.  They passed through security and were soon waiting to board the plain.  'Philip' had them in first class with Travis in the window seat.  They had to transfer planes in New York then the transoceanic flight to London.  There they were met by two British soldiers who quickly escorted them through customs and out to the tarmac and into a small private Learjet 60.  The plane was silver and black with a W and E on the tail.  The soldiers told them a change had been made in their travel plans by an Agent, code named 'James', and the order had come direct from Nat. Sec.  The soldier removed his black beret, and apologized for any inconvenience it had caused them.)

The cabin of the plane was total luxury, plush seats, large screen TV, a full size half bathroom (no bathtub or shower) full Internet by satellite connection and of course a fully stocked bar.  Just a few minutes after the soldiers left them on the plane, they saw their luggage brought and loaded aboard the plane.  Then the Pilot, Copilot and Steward came aboard and introduced themselves.  Then they taxied out and were airborne.  Lee was amazed that they passed other planes and moved directly to the front of the queue. {Yes, Crackerwriter, we do know what a queue is.}  [We always get an extra 'u' in. CW]

The steward then unbuckled and came back to serve them.  "We don't usually get to do that unless the band is on board.  What can I get you gents?"

Travis, who was thoroughly enjoying this plane after the long hours over the ocean, "What can I have?"

The steward grinned, "Not what you want, by the looks of ya.  We have American soda on board.  Someone named Philip said you would like root beer or Coca-Cola®."  He turned to Lee, "He recommended a cold beer or Pepsi-Cola® for you, Sir."

"'Philip'!  I should have known he was behind this!" Lee exclaimed.

"Oh, no, Sir.  Our orders come directly from Watkin's Enterprise's Headquarters, from 'James' himself."

Travis lit up, "Dad, our laptops are Watkin's Enterprises."

The steward said with pride, "Best computers made, then.  Your drinks?"

Travis asked for a root beer and Lee for a Pepsi®.

When the plane landed in Switzerland they were again met at the plane by soldiers with NATO armbands and escorted quickly through customs and then driven to their hotel.  They checked in and were soon in their suite of rooms.  Travis enjoyed exploring the two bedroom suite.  When he was done Lee sat him down and they looked through the room service menu then ordered dinner.  Of course it was morning but they both wanted a hamburger.  A hamburger in a five star hotel isn't the same as from a fast food place.

After they had finished as much as they could eat Lee asked Travis if he wanted to rest or go to the bank.  Since they had slept through a good deal of the Trans-Atlantic flight Travis was ready to go.  Lee shaved and washed his face and then called the concierge and arranged for transportation to the bank.

Entering the very old building, Travis couldn't help but think about the scene in Harry Potter.  He was about halfway disappointed that everyone in this bank was human.  They went to the man who was standing at a central raised platform so he could see everything that was going on in the large lobby.  Lee said, "Excuse me, Sir.  My son and I are Americans and we need to speak with someone about an account here."

The man looked down and said, "New accounts may be opened in the new accounts department over there on the right." He pointed and his attitude left no doubt he was annoyed by the stupid Americans.  Lee felt his back tightening up for the first time since Travis had, had that breakthrough about six months before.

Lee took a deep breath and using his full projected 'teacher voice', "MY SON AND I NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING, ABOUT AN ACCOUNT IN THIS BANK."

There was silence in the large lobby.  The man looked horror struck.  "I'm afraid you will have to leave."

Two uniformed guards appeared and headed towards them.  Lee looked at the man, "THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ACCOUNT HOLDERS OF THIS BANK?  WE HAVE HAD WELL OVER ONE MILLION POUNDS HERE SINCE 1915, AND YOU WANT TO THROW US OUT?!"

A white haired gentleman in a tailored three-piece suit came rushing out of the elevators and across the silent lobby; he waved the guards back.  "May I help you, Gentlemen?"

Travis looked at the man still looking down at them; he had seen that look before.  "Can you fire him?  If so do it now if not, we will go to whoever governs banking in this country and file a protest."

The man on the podium smirked.  The other man looked up at him.  For the last ten years his brother's kid had been a thorn in his side.  He had caused problems everywhere in the bank he had been.  The disciplinary file was several centimeters thick and this was by far the last straw.  With an evil smile, he made the decision he had been waiting to make for ever so long.  "Report to my office immediately. I shall attempt to find a more suitable position for you."  He motioned the guards over, "See my nephew to my office and keep him there.  Use physical force if you need to.  He is NOT to be allowed back into any public areas."  He watched as the two guards escorted the shocked nephew across the lobby.  It started slowly but soon the patrons and employees were giving them a standing ovation.  The man thought as he turned back to Lee and Travis, 'I wonder if Griphook© is still looking for a Job?'

The man made a bow to Travis and Lee, "What may Bank Feuer-Hafen Ltd. do to be of service to you?"

To the man's surprise, Travis took over.  "I believe I am the current owner of an account and Vault here at your bank.  I have come to verify the balance of the account and to inspect the contents of the vault."

The man nodded.  And led the way to a plush office.  He sat behind the ornate desk and motioned them to each take a seat.  "Please tell me more."

Travis told the story of his book and the code.  He gave the man the code and said that the page number went behind the other numbers.

The man typed the account number into the computer.  "This is an inactive account but with a perpetuity clause.  The interest on the cash account more than paid the upkeep fees.  I need to go retrieve something that is required for entry."

He returned several minutes later with what looked to Lee like a safe deposit box.  "Do you have a key?"

Lee removed the key from his key ring and handed it to Travis.  The man took the key and smiled, "It is one of ours.  I haven't seen this type in more than thirty years."  He inserted it in one lock, turned it and then he produced his key and unlocked the second lock.

Travis was so excited trying to imagine what was held in the box.  The lid opened and there were some handwritten papers.  The man very carefully read the papers.  He removed an old tintype and Travis recognized the picture.  "Look Dad, it's like my picture.  Kewl!"

The man looked up surprised, "You have this picture?"

"Yeah, it was in the book."  Travis removed the book from the backpack he was carrying.  He then removed the picture and handed it to the man. 

The man studied the picture and referred to the papers he had removed from the box, then stood and bowed and extended his hand saying, "Young Sir, you are indeed the owner of this account and the contents of its associated vault."

Lee and Travis followed the man down in the elevator and then down a couple flights of stairs.  The area they then emerged into was very much like the scene from Harry Potter that Travis had thought of as they had entered the bank.  The man led them to a vault and said this was it.  He removed a large key from his pocket and used it to remove the bank's seal.  Gentlemen, when you are finished, close the vault door and Reapply the seal to it then just follow the lights back to the stairs.  A security person will await you there."  The old man turned and left.

Lee and Travis looked at the huge door, there didn't seem to be any way to open it.  In the center of the door was a rectangle with a seal that looked just like the one on the book.  Travis looked at it closely.  "Dad!  'The key to good life is the book of the Romanovs!'  It said that on the picture.  Travis dug out the book and placed it on the door and pushed.  There were clicks and clunks and sounds of grinding mechanical parts then the door opened a few inches.  Lee grabbed it and pulled it further open.

"DAD!  LOOK!"

Author's Notes:

No, no, I guarantee this is NOT a Cliff Hanger.  No one's life is in the slightest danger, everyone is perfectly safe.  No gnomes were injured in the writing of this chapter.  Everything is just fine.  I think.  Maybe.

Now the next chapter is Chapter 23 and if you have paid any attention to the Haven stories you will surely remember that something always happens in Chapter 23.  Could this be The End?  {Now that's a Cliff Hanger!}

Str8mayb

Editor's Notes: Well I hardly added any more words to this chapter, yet. I mean after all, my job is to simply make things clearer and easier to understand. I am not supposed to add actual content or anything like that. I would never take it upon myself to add superfluous or unneeded words just to pad it out and make it longer like I am doing now for instance. I would never stoop to doing something like that, would I? 

Finally we have taken a peek into Travis' book, for all the good it did us. He has seen something in the vault that has at least surprised him and maybe caused him some alarm. We really don't know just what he thought about whatever he has seen. I can hardly wait to read chapter 23 to see what will happen next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Notes: Hmmm it seems that we moved forward but went nowhere; now where have I heard or seen those words before? With a Cliffhanger looming in the next chapter do we want the next chapter?

I am not sure The United Kingdom is going to survive this visit or Europe for that matter and I wonder if Havendale can handle a Chameleon Concert?

Well I need to edit a new story in the Haven Universe that I am sure you are all going to love.

TSL