The Key To the Kingdom (21 page)

“I know that, Hawk.” As they careened around a corner, she grabbed for the dashboard. “But I can’t keep getting you out of trouble. What you’re trying to do is—is—”

“Crazy?”

“I guess . . . a little.”

“What do you mean a little? It is crazy on steroids!”

“Okay, you’re right,” she admitted. “However, you aren’t crazy.”

“I’m not?”

“No, you’re passionate and believe you have to do what you are doing. You are on a quest. That’s what scares me, because you aren’t going to stop and let this thing go until—”

“Something bad happens,” he finished.

“Right.”

He braked and followed the signs that compelled visitors to come closer to the theme park.

“So what’s your plan?” Kiran inquired.

“I told you.” A smile crossed his face. “I am going to climb Expedition Everest.”

“How?”

“Well, since you’ve decided to come with me, I’m going to let you help.”

“I can’t help you.”

“Sure you can, you’re my ticket into the park after hours.”

Hawk drove toward the Animal Kingdom. As the road began to funnel toward the theme park he veered away from the main entrance and chose to drive toward the resort area next to the park. He was confident this would take him to the back side and cast member areas of the Animal Kingdom. Out of sight of the guests was a whole backstage area that kept the operations of the park going. For the last two nights Kiran had been his pass and license to wander through theme parks after hours, so her participation would make what he was planning to do easier.

Although he was pleased she had come along, he was dogged by the gnawing sense of confusion her presence brought. Over the last two days Kiran had managed to show up in just the right place at the right time. This was not a fact he could easily dismiss. On one hand her explanations were plausible. After all, his explanations as to what he was doing were extremely implausible, but still true. On the other hand she had become a piece of the very puzzle he was trying to solve. He couldn’t figure out exactly how she fit into it, if she fit at all. He hadn’t told her about the other discoveries he’d made. Perhaps later he would let her know.

“You think I’m going to get you in?” Her question emerged from his jumbled thoughts.

“Of course. I figure we’re going to run into a security guard up here, and after all, you’re a big cheese in the land of the mouse. I have confidence in you.” He tried to be encouraging.

“Have you already figured out what I’m going to say to this security guard to get us in?”

“Nope, that’s your area of expertise.”

The car grew quiet as Kiran stared out the front window. Hawk knew the key to the kingdom, the opening of Walt’s old desk, and the talking stuffed tour guide that offered personalized messages would intrigue anyone with a smidgen of curiosity. He believed that Kiran was curious. He made a right turn onto a roadway clearly marked for cast members only. Flanked by foliage on both sides, the street yielded into an opening, and a security booth blocked their progress. The time had come to see if Kiran was really going to help him. Braking as the security guard stepped out, Hawk rolled down the window. The guard leaned down and peered in the window as Hawk leaned back to allow Kiran to take the lead in the conversation. She cast an unsure glance at Hawk before looking past him and smiling at the guard.

“Good evening.”

“Evening, can I help you?”

“We have a meeting with Gwen Black in Guest Relations.” She passed her identification card across Hawk and handed it to the guard. “I’m Kiran Roberts.”

“Does Gwen know you’re coming?”

“Yes, we just found out we have some special guests coming in tomorrow so we don’t have much time to get their itinerary set up,” Kiran cheerfully fabricated her reason for the after-hours visit.

“Let me call her and let her know you’re here.” The guard stepped away and back into his station.

“Is this going to work?” Hawk asked after the guard was inside and out of earshot.

“How do I know?”

“What happens when he calls Gwen Black?”

“Nothing, I hope. She’s gone for the day.”

The guard exited his station and leaned back into the car.

“Kiran, Gwen didn’t answer her extension,” he said as he handed Kiran back her ID.

“I’m not surprised. Like I said, we’re ramping up for these guests at the last minute. I’m sure she’s busy.” Pulling out her cell phone she continued, “If this is going to be a problem, I can call her on her cell.” She began punching the numbers, feigning irritation.

“No, there’s no problem, Kiran,” the guard interrupted her number punching. “I suppose you can go on through. You know where her office is, right?”

“Sure do, thanks.” She snapped the cell phone shut and put it back on her belt.

Accelerating away from the security booth, Hawk followed Kiran’s directions.

“That was very nice.”

“Like you said, I’m a big cheese in the land of the mouse. Pull in here.”

The car pulled into the parking lot adjacent to some prefab buildings. The offices located within these buildings housed various departments that kept Animal Kingdom operating smoothly. Only two other cars were in the lot this late in the evening. As they got out Hawk looked across the top of the car.

“So what happens now?”

“Maybe you should tell me what you’re planning,” she demanded. “I’ve gotten you this far—before we go on I need to know what you’re going to do.”

“I told you, I’m going to climb Expedition Everest.”

“And how will you do that?”

“Ah . . . that’s the beauty of my plan,” he said with a raised finger. “I have no idea.”

“I could lose my job—not just my job, my entire career—for helping you.” She stared at Hawk. “You know that, don’t you?”

“Kiran, I know.” He searched for what to say. Honestly he didn’t know why she was willing to help him. But she had, and he hoped she was still willing to do so. “I’m not asking you to climb it with me. Just get me to the mountain. Please.”

Hesitantly she started to speak. Then she motioned for Hawk to follow her. Kiran knowingly navigated between buildings and along a service pathway that was lined with various maintenance hubs. Moving through a gate, they suddenly found themselves within the guest portion of Animal Kingdom. The area was designed to resemble an Adirondack mountain retreat. Walking through the theme park at this time of night along the dimly lit pathways gave Hawk a chance to see things he normally would not see when the masses of humanity clogged the park.

On one of his visits in the past he had found out that often the cast members would create their own background stories as to why they worked where they worked in the Animal Kingdom. They were designed to perpetuate the story line of the park itself. The cast member Hawk had spoken to had described a shipwreck that caused them to be washed ashore. He pointed to the second story of a building and explained that was where he lived. The saga was told with a straight face and he never broke character. Hawk vividly remembered the moment. Walking past the same building the cast member had said he lived in, he found himself glancing up toward the window he said was their home.

“Do you know what you’re going to do yet?” Kiran inquired as they weaved past the Tree of Life across a bridge over Discovery River.

“Not yet, but I’m sure I’m supposed to be here.”

“So we’re just going to Expedition Everest, and you’re going to figure out what to do next?”

His lack of an answer was further evidence that he had no clear plan. They arrived at the mythical village of Serka Zong that had been brought to life by the Disney Imagineers. The village served as the home to Expedition Everest, nestled on the edge of the Discovery River. Moving through Serka Zong they passed a hotel, the Yak & Yeti Restaurant, an Internet café, and a hiking supply depot. All of the buildings and design in this area were based upon Nepalese culture and architecture. The village wrapped around the base of the Forbidden Mountain and tucked it away in a perfectly created illusion that become one of the most talked-about thrill adventures in the history and legend of the Disney Corporation.

“All right, Hawk.” Kiran stopped as they stood alone in front of a sign that read Gupta’s Gear, a climbing gear supply store that was a part of the exterior of the attraction queue area. “What now?”

“Ha-ha!”

Silently he looked down toward his waistband where he’d automatically clipped the stuffed animal as they got out of the car. Over the past day it had become a habit to take Pal Mickey with him as he entered a park. Now he was relieved he hadn’t forgotten to bring it along. Holding it up between them, he glanced up at Kiran and offered a slight smile as he gave the midsection a squeeze to activate the message delivery system.

“Can you believe how big this mountain is, Hawk? I’m a little bit scared of what lives in the Forbidden Mountain . . . but if you take care of me, I’ll be brave when we face it. Keep me close on the forbidden trail, okay, pal?”

The mouse fell silent and Hawk secured it to his hip. He raised his head to see Kiran looking toward the ground and shaking her head from side to side. When she looked up he saw a hint of concern in her eyes.

“So, you are ready to climb the mountain?”

“You heard Mickey. It sounds like he wants me to get up there and face the yeti.”

“You realize what you just said?”

“Yes.”

“You just said that a stuffed souvenir wants you to climb a mountain and face an animatronic creature.” She didn’t wait for a response. “I know you think this is some great search. And I’ll admit I’m intrigued by what is going on.”

Hawk opened his mouth to defend his case, but once again thought better of it as Kiran wasn’t done yet.

“I’ll agree that Farren Rales has gone to a lot of trouble to get you on this adventure, and I don’t understand any better than you do what this whole key to the kingdom is, but Hawk, you get to a point where you have to admit this isn’t realistic or even smart. You can’t just wander into a multimillion-dollar attraction in the dead of night.”

He pursed his lips and allowed her words to sink in. It became apparent that she had said her piece and now it was his turn to speak.

“Kiran, with all that has happened and all that I have found so far, I can’t stop.” He chose his words carefully. “Still, you’re right. I am doing some things that are fairly risky.”

“Oh, you think?” She jammed her hands against her hips.

“Look, you got me here, but I don’t expect you to come with me. And you can’t stand around waiting in the middle of the night.” He reached into his pocket and fished out his car keys and handed them to her. “Wait for me in my car. Let me do what I need to do, and I can find my way back out.”

She closed her eyes for a moment as though torn between choices.

“How long do you want me to wait?”

“Until I get back.” He smirked. “Don’t think I want you stealing my car.”

Kiran held out her hand, palm up, and did not react to his attempt at humor.

“Give me your cell phone.”

He pulled out the phone and handed it to her. She flipped it open and with rapid efficiency navigated the menu, then tapped several keys and pushed a button to store what she’d done. Shutting the phone she handed it back.

“I programmed my cell number into your phone. I’ll go back and try to look like I’m doing something in the guest relations offices. Call me if you get in trouble or when you’re on your way out. I’ll meet you at your car. Don’t waste time.”

Standing on the street in Serka Zong they faced each other. Hawk sensed there was something else she wanted to say.

“What?”

“I hate to . . ..”

“Hate to what?”

“I hate to tell you something that’s probably going to pour more fuel on your fire.” She paused and then tilted her head toward the queue line. “If you were to look inside the Fastpass queue line, you’d find a picture of Frank Wells at a base camp on Mount Everest.” Hawk smiled, realizing he’d successfully deciphered the clue. She frowned. “Why are you smiling?”

“Because I’m getting ready to do something that Frank never did.”