The TALONS Files: the chronicles of telepathic agent Ryan Dart

Ryan's Right!

When they reached the top of the hill, they stashed their bikes in a parking area, where the two wheeled vehicles were strewn everywhere.

The Hotel's main entrance did not face the road. Instead, the lengthy building's face observed the Victorian styled town below, and the waters of Lake Huron. A small paved drive for carriages meandered towards the extravagant main doors. However, the agents found a side entrance, being right along the road.

"We probably don't have to do this, I'm pretty sure I know where the SD card is hidden." Ryan said, feeling slightly guilty.

"Horse crap!" Mai exclaimed.

"I know, I know, we have to make sure...."

"No," Mai said forcefully as she pushed her partner in the shoulder, sending Ryan sideways. "You almost stepped in a big poop pie."

Ryan shrugged sheepishly, as he looked at chunky turd.  "That would really mess up my Chuck Taylor's"

They marched into the throwback ambiance, the long hall hinting at what luxury meant in the 1800's. The plush carpet, decorated with a floral pattern, and white wallpaper seemed to be lack luster to Ryan. He preferred the rustic appeal of the Dixie Saloon.

A lady stationed behind a counter, which was at the agents' left, halted the two, asking, "Excuse me, are you two registered guests at the hotel?"

"No," Ryan replied.

"You'll need to pay ten dollars a piece."

Ryan shot her an incredulous look, "For what?"

"This place is a national landmark."

Ryan surveyed the old carpet, the wallpapered walls and the shops that lined the hall, "Okay." He grumbled, unimpressed with his surroundings.

Mai, on the other hand, was all too eager to pay the ten dollars. "This is really cool!" She busted out.

The lady gave Ryan an eager smile, obviously she was going to convince him that this place was special. "Did you Know, this is the largest summer hotel in the world?"

Ryan shrugged, "That's kind of cool."

"Are you a fan of Mark Twain?" The lady asked.

"Sure...I like Tom Sawyer," Ryan replied uninterested.

"How about Thomas Edison?"

"I don't know if I like him, but he did invent the light bulb," He said handing her ten dollars.

"Yes, those two both stayed here." The lady raised her brow anticipating Ryan's approval.

Ryan feigned surprise, he figured it wouldn't hurt to be polite. "Wow that's cool!"

The lady smiled "Yeah, I know, right? You two have fun!"

Mai and Ryan strolled the hall, as Ryan checked his iWatch.  It was 2:05. They entered a lobby that was quite elegant. With large antique chairs and a red carpet, this open space was at the mouth of a large hall and eatery. Sitting on the chairs, people were having tea as a harpist played a familiar pop song.

Mai scanned the surroundings, "Do you sense them?"

"No, not at the dining hall, not here."

Mai stopped a bell hop, who had a load of luggage. "Hi, we're supposed to meet friends here," She politely chimed. "Is there like a bar or anything like that?"

"On our big porch, there is the Geranium bar. You can have a drink inside or on the porch," He said, "But you two look too young to have a drink."

Mai gleamed, "Yeah, you're right," As she yelled over her shoulder, already heading for the main entrance.

They hurried out of the lobby through two gigantic doors, unveiling the fresh air and a gorgeous sight. A wide red carpet followed the contours of a large staircase. Beyond the Staircase, and down a hill, an emerald green lawn, dotted with flower beds and a water fountain, hosted a few vacationers strolling the lawn. Beyond that, Ryan could see the Victorian town and the waters of lake Huron.

Turning from the view, Ryan investigated off to their left and surmised the very long green balcony, or 'porch' as the porter had called it. The porch was accented with white furniture and a matching railing. The railing was adorned with planters full of blooming red geraniums.

A few people were enjoying the outdoors on this balcony, as one group, who had exited a carriage at the base of the steps, walked towards the door. They approached a bellhop dressed in black, positioned at the impressive entrance of the gigantic hotel.

Ryan felt a sense of relief quench his stress tightened muscles, as he peered past the group. There, on a white wicker chair, sat the man Ryan was searching for. 

 The yellow jacketed black man was playing on his phone.

"Let's walk this way," Ryan pointed to the right. "And soak up the view of the lake."

"You see him?" Mai whispered.

"Yes, he's here." Ryan whispered back ,finding wicker chairs at least one hundred feet from the man.

"Ryan," Mai scolded. "I won't be able to pick up his thoughts from here."

"But I can Mai, and we need to stay away from SCARE agents. If they know we're here, they'll have us killed."

Mai was stone faced. "Alright."

"Besides, I have a pretty good Idea where it is anyways. Just enjoy the view and I'll do the rest."

Mai shook her head. "You better be right about this."

Ryan nodded, assuring her, "I am."

* * *

The two sat silent, as Mai studied the lighthouses on Mackinac Island and an Island nearby. Ryan tuned his telepathic abilities to their finest as he waited for the terrorist to arrive. It didn't take long.

The terrorist exited a black carriage, which was parked in front of the main entrance, and angrily stomped up the stairs. He then turned and walked towards the black man, taking a seat next to him, 'I don't like this hotel, too much American History here.'

'White American history, the only blacks in here worked for the place.'

'you don't like this place either?'

'I don't know, they gave blacks a job I guess.'

'I would like very much to sabotage the president's suite" 

 Ryan sensed the terrorist's speech, then he sensed thoughts in Persiab. After a brief pause he spoke again, 'do we know who stole the last disk?'

'Sure do, he's waiting at the Dixie Saloon. Our boss is going to make sure he doesn't interfere a second time. And this time, we've set up a pick up that can be done in broad day light. We'll get the other disk back.' Ryan could sense the slow rhythm of the black man's cadence. It was a smooth assured delivery, much different than Louie Reghetti's.

'Is it here, on the Island?'

'Sure is, bring the money here in fifteen minutes. You should have your men in position in fort Mackinac."

'The Disk is in the fort?

"Is the Sky blue or the grass green?"

"Fifteen minutes, then done. Achmed will be here with a briefcase momentarily."

That was all Ryan needed to know, and, as if he had been pricked by a needle, he sprung into action. He pulled Mai's arm, whispering and speaking hurriedly, "I was right! Or at least I better be."

"It's at the fort?" Mai asked, as she rushed down the stairs to keep up with Ryan.

"Yup."

"Okay, why are we running?" She said, as they hit the black top and passed an enclosed black horse drawn carriage, with old fashioned letters in gold, spelling 'Grand Hotel'.

"Because, the terrorists will be in place in 15 minutes." Ryan said, as he Ran along side Mai.

They strode around the backside of a passing carriage and grabbed their bikes.