One Stupid Thing

2:4:50

The sun woke us all up bright and early the next morning. We continued to use the GPS and it took us into the heart of Charleston.

"They're fancy people," Kiara stated, still going on about the Limbreys. "They've had three governors in the family. They've run Charleston for, like, 300 years."

"These Kooks make our Kooks look like Pogues," JJ points out.

"The destination is on your right. 27 King Street, Charleston," the GPS says. Pope slows the truck to a stop outside of a large town home.

"You sure this is the place, Pope?" JJ asks.

"Pretty sure. I mean, that's what the GPS says," he confirms.

"All right." That's all the information JJ needed. He exits the truck and leads the four of us up to the home. "Fat City, for sure."

"Twenty-seven King Street," Pope announces. He holds up the letter for further proof.

"Talk about home security," JJ says, referring to the 7 foot tall fence standing before us. "Are those spikes to keep people out?"

"No," Kiara answers.

"The slave quarters are over there. These spikes were to keep people in," Pope adds darkly.

"Well, that's extremely reassuring," I say sarcastically. I push through the unlocked gate and approach the front step. The other three follow behind hesitantly. Pope walks up to the door and knocks with the knocker three times.

"You think that was too much?" he asks.

"It echoed the entire house. That's for sure. So they definitely heard it," JJ replies.

"Maybe nobody's home," Kiara suggests. Pope knocks two more times, but when he goes to knock a third, the door opens. A scruffy looking man stands there and studies us.

"You must be Pope," he says, pointing at him.

"Um...," Pope glances at JJ. "Are you Mr. Limbrey?"

"Ms. Limbrey was expecting you yesterday," the man corrects him.

"Oh. I'm... I'm sorry. My car broke down on the way up here."

"Carburetor blew up in the middle of Nowheresville," JJ chimes in. "Sorry about that."

"Yeah, she was, uh, real upset when you didn't show up," the man continues.

"We tried to call, but there's no number on the invitation. We got here as fast as we could," Kiara explains.

"She also expected you to come alone."

"Yeah, well, we couldn't just going to let Pope come all they way here to some strangers house alone, now could we?" I smile at the man who glares back at me.

"I mean, these are my friends. They helped find the Royal Merchant too. I—"

"The instructions were explicit. Your friends can stay outside."

"Well, we're kind of a package deal, man," JJ protests.

"JJ. It's okay. I got this," Pope interrupts him. "I'll be good."

"Yeah. We'll be right here," Kie assures him.

"Keep the car running," Pope says to her. I notice him reach for her hand and squeeze it. JJ and I share a knowing glance.

"Yup."

Pope follows the man inside. The rest of us go and sit in the truck. JJ gets behind the wheel, prepared to make a run for it if need be.