Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
But I had to wonder—how were they tracking me? I’d driven with Forrest, so it couldn’t be in my car. My purse? No, I sighed to myself. It was obvious. My phone. I always had my phone by my side, and it would be child’s play for them to track me that way. I found I didn’t mind that they had an eye on me. If anything, I was glad. With all the danger and drama, my brother and Hawk could be a little careful. As long as it didn’t mean I had to answer questions about Forrest Powell.
Griffen waited, his sea-green eyes patient and kind. I hated telling Griffen no, not when he was always so damn reasonable. And if I was being honest, I wanted to brag just a little.
“It’s nothing you have to worry about,” I said. “Actually, I cracked the code on the Vitellius.”
Griffen immediately knew what I was talking about. He sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, a wide smile spreading across his face. “No shit? Really? How?”
I explained about the hidden panel and the key. “I made a deal with Forrest. Twenty-five percent of whatever we find.”
Griffen’s smile was proud and completely genuine. I liked seeing it. He and the rest of my family rarely saw me for anything other than the pretty sorority girl I once was. Of everyone, Griffen was the most apt to expect me to be more than that, but even he underestimated me. It was by design. I didn’t want to let any of them down, ever again. If they didn’t expect much, it was harder to be a disappointment.
“That’s my girl. I didn’t know you knew anything about code-breaking.”
I swallowed, feeling suddenly tongue-tied. “It’s not a big deal. I had a math teacher in high school who was into ciphers, and I thought they were cool. I guess I remembered more than I thought I did.” I was leaving out a lot, but I wasn’t ready to completely come clean about my closet math nerd status.
“So, you’re a wealthy woman now?” Griffen teased with a raised eyebrow.
“I wish.” I explained about the bank in Willow Springs and where the code on the Vitellius had led us. As I told him the story—meeting Mrs. Grady and Mr. Webber, knowing the key to open the box—I watched Griffen’s proud smile turn into a grin.
“Sterling, nice job. That took some balls,” he said with admiration.
I shrugged. “I was so curious to find out if I was right, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be.”
“What was in the box?” he asked.
I sighed dramatically. “Another code, along with a clue to the key.”
“How close are you to cracking that one?” Griffen inquired.
“Not close at all,” I admitted, slouching back in the chair as Shadow jumped off my lap. “Forrest wouldn’t let me keep it, but I memorized the clue. I’m pretty sure the clue leads to the key. And once I have the key, I can crack the code and figure out where we need to go next.”
“What was the clue?” Griffen wanted to know.
I told him, and he shook his head. “A mockingbird on my shoulder, singing with my strings in the Poplars. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Tell me about it,” I complained. “I’ve researched every angle I can think of, and nothing.”
Griffen repeated the clue to himself and shook his head once more. “If it sparks any ideas, I’ll let you know, but it doesn’t mean anything to me either.”
“Well, it only took me a year to figure out the Vitellius. So, you know—” I rolled my eyes. “I really thought that box was going to be it.”
Griffen crossed his arms over his chest, the grin fading. “How are things with Powell?” he asked, the flat tone of his voice heavy with disapproval.
“He’s a means to an end,” I said. “That’s all.”
“Royal and Tenn trust him,” Griffen said, “even though they’re still pissed about how things worked out with the two of you. They think he’s a good guy.”
“What do you think?” I asked.
Griffen’s mouth turned up in a half smile. “He was a huge, enormous jerk to my baby sister. I’m honor bound to hate him until you tell me otherwise.”
I grinned as I stood and crossed the room to give him a hug. “That’s why you’re my favorite older brother. I have to head into town to get some things done for Sawyer Outdoor Adventures. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Sterling,” Griffen said as I left the room, his voice stopping me in my tracks. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks, Griffen,” I said, my throat tight with emotion. “I’m proud of me, too.”
I’d be prouder if I could figure out the mockingbird clue. It had only been five days, but I wanted the answer to the clue now.