The Navigator (NUMA Files 7)

“I’m afraid I did.”

“Then why did you send me on this wild quest?”

“We know where the tablets are, not where they were. The ancient writings say that a Navigator will show the way to Ophir. When we heard about the attempted theft of the Navigator statue and the discovery of the Artichoke file, we feared that someone would track down the mine and that would lead them to the tablets.”

“We, meaning the Artichoke Society.”

“That’s correct. We learned of your role in the hijacking, heard about your team’s reputation, and thought you’d be best qualified for the job.”

“You owe me an introduction to these Artichokes, Mr. Nickerson.”

“Yes, I’m afraid I do.”

He reached for a telephone. After a short conversation, Nickerson said. “How soon can you assemble your team?”

“Almost immediately. Where shall I tell them to meet?”

Nickerson smiled. “A little place called Monticello.”

LATER THAT DAY, Austin, Zavala, and the Trouts, with Angela, walked between the columns at the entrance to the Jefferson mansion. Emerson and Nickerson were waiting to greet them and ushered them over the threshold.

Emerson waited for a tour group to pass. “I apologize for being devious about this matter,” he said.

“Apology accepted,” Gamay said. “If you fill in the blanks.”

Emerson nodded. “You were close. Meriwether Lewis had come across the missing half of the mine map in his travels. He had assumed that it was for a western location. He realized his mistake, and was trying to get it to Jefferson when he was murdered by those who wished to keep the mine a secret. Zeb carried the missing piece to Monticello. With the full map in his possession, Jefferson found the mine, and the tablets. He left the map in the mine. Like Solomon, he decided the tablets were best kept out of sight, and formed an organization to ensure this was the case.”

“The Artichoke Society you said didn’t exist?” Angela said.

“As a member of the society, I’m sworn to secrecy. The original Artichokes consisted of some of the country’s founders. As they aged, they recruited new members to take their place. You might be surprised at the names of current members.”

Austin gave a shake of his head. “I’m not surprised at anything having to do with the subject,” he said. “What happened to the tablets?”

“Jefferson formed a work party that included my ancestor Zeb,” Emerson said. “They found the mine and brought the tablets back here.”

“To Monticello?” Angela said. She glanced around as if the tablets were in plain sight.

Emerson tapped the floor with his shoe. “Under our feet. Preserved in a secret room.”

There was a stunned silence, broken when Trout asked, “Do you think the world will ever be made aware of their existence?”

“That’s up to the Artichokes,” Emerson said. “Maybe future members of the society will decide the time is ripe.”

Nickerson said, “We’re always looking for new members. Anyone on your team would be welcome.”

“Thanks, but we’re away a lot,” Austin said. “But I know someone who would bring youth and intelligence to your group.”

He glanced at Angela, who had wandered off, and was staring at the floor as if she could see through it.

A smile crossed Nickerson’s face.

“Yes. Thank you for the suggestion. And for all your help. I hope it wasn’t inconvenient.”

Austin glanced around at the members of his team. “Not at all. We enjoyed ourselves, didn’t we?”

Paul Trout blinked his eyes a few times. Keeping a poker face, he said, “I can’t wait to write ‘What I Did on My Vacation.’”

Epilogue