Treasure Hunters: Book of Secrets

Chapter Eight: London!

"Okay it's teatime chaps," came Riley's voice over the radio. Both Ben and Alex had a little earpiece so they could communicate between the three of them. Ben took a small bottle of whisky and patted some on his tongue and face, ready to make a scene. Alex positioned herself around the corner, ready to approach him and start an argument.

"Abigail," he suddenly cried.

"Abigail? What's she doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

Alex peeked around the corner to see that indeed, Abigail was there.

"Your dad called. He said your next clue was here."

"She's really here? Drop her, lose her."

"Look Ben, I want to help."

"Well that's very nice but it's kind of a bad time right now," Ben admitted.

Now she appeared offended. "A bad time? Right now?"

"It's a bad time."

"Okay... I just flew all the way to London to offer my help-"

"Ben, remember the plan," Alex said.

"Well Abigail you're the one who's making a scene right now."

She scoffed. "I am not making a scene right now."

"No, we want to make a scene," Riley reminded him.

"Well then fine!" Ben suddenly yelled, catching the attention of everyone else in the hall. "If that's what you want then let's have it out right now!"

"Ah, so subtle."

"Oh, let me guess, it's the wrong time, it's the wrong place. I'm wrong again!" Ben began marching down the stairs exaggeratedly as he spoke, his voice echoing throughout the hall, catching the attention of all the other guests. Abigail looked very confused and startled as he continued yelling.

After watching for a couple of minutes, Alex believed she caught on to what her brother was trying to do: stick to the original plan of making a scene, but include Abigail. She started down the stairs towards them. "Wow, really?" They turned to face her, as did all the other guests who had been watching the arguing couple. "I'm gone for what, five minutes, just popped to the bathroom, and you guys are already biting each other's heads off. Unbelievable! I can't go anywhere with you guys, you're so immature. How embarrassing."

They started yelling again, and she tried to break into their argument again, but they were too busy shouting at each other. Abigail must have caught on and thankfully played along.

"Abigail, just because I answer a question quickly doesn't mean it's wrong."

"Not if the answer's something we have to figure out together as a couple, that's what couples do Ben!"

"Hey- guys-" Alex tried to break in and share in the argument, but they were too busy screaming at each other. She stepped back, just as a security guard approached them.

"Sir, Miss, please take this outside." Now security was involved.

"Oh now look what you've done-" Ben's actions were becoming more and more exaggerated by the minute.

Alex really ended up watching the scene take place more than be a part of it - Ben and Abigail were having a couple's argument, and besides, they were acting so over the top that Alex couldn't help but be too distracted watching them to throw in her own argument. Their voices grew louder and louder and Ben kept acting more and more drunk.

"Feeling left out?" came Riley's voice over the radio, as though he could read her thoughts. She wasn't sure if there was a way for him to disconnect Ben's radio so he could only talk to her. That or Ben was too occupied with his act to hear him.

"Yeah, a little," she replied.

"Yeah..."

Alex then clasped a hand over her mouth to try and hold back a laugh when Ben gave a childish "Wheee!" and slid down the banister backwards, only to be stopped by another security guard.

"Does this look as great as it sounds?" asked Riley.

"Oh, yeah," Alex said.

Soon the security guards were dragging away Ben and Abigail, Ben screaming 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts'. Alex was taken along with them.

"I really must apologize," she tried to tell the guard over Abigail and Ben's continued argument, which had somehow gotten even louder.

"That was brilliant," Riley told them.

The trio were led down to the security office where they were taken to a holding cell. When at last the guards left, there was a stunned moment of silence before Ben and Alex burst out laughing.

"What is going on?" demanded Abigail.

"I'm sorry for getting you roped into this but I've got to say you were excellent back there," Ben told her.

She smiled and adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. "Thank you. So were you."

"You too Little Sis."

Alex wanted to say something along the lines of, "oh, so you didn't forget I was there?" But instead she just said, "thanks Big Bro. I'm never letting you live that one down."

"Naw, I figured." Ben turned back to Abigail. "When did you figure out it was a fake argument?"

"When did you figure out I was really arguing during the fake argument? Hi Riley." Abigail leaned close to Ben's ear to speak into the earpiece.

"You guys are so great together."

"Uh huh. Hey Ri can you get us out of here please?" said Alex.

"On it."

"So you want to know why we're here?" Ben asked. Abigail nodded. He leaned in and whispered. "We think there might be a clue on the Resolute Desk in the Queen's study."

Abigail stared back. Then she sighed. "I just don't see why it's so difficult for you to include others in your decisions."

"Door one, opening." There was a buzz and Alex opened the cell door.

"Thanks Ri."

"Okay let me try this out: Abigail, would you like to come along, please?"

Abigail rolled her eyes. "Yes. Thank you."

"Ridiculous, you're staying here with Alex. It's too dangerous."

"Hey, no fair. Besides, you got to do the whole fake argument thing." Alex pushed ahead of him.

"You're not coming."

"Call security," Abigail shot back, following Alex.

"You should be near a service elevator."

Large bouquets of flowers lined a nearby table and Ben scooped one up.

"Those for the Queen?" said Abigail.

"Queen's not here, there's no flag flying. She's at Windsor." Ben climbed into the service elevator. "Goodbye."

"Ben-"

The ladies were about to protest again, but footsteps down the hall stopped them.

"Get in!" cried Ben, dropping the argument, and the two ladies clambered inside.

"Just another Gates family trip," Alex mumbled as the elevator gave a lurch, carrying them further into the palace.

(Wow I'm so sorry guys! I know it's been a really long time since I've updated! School was crazy busy - but now I have a bit of a break for the holidays :) yay! Thanks for sticking with me!

Haha, gotta love that scene in the palace! Too good! Thanks so much for reading (hopefully the next update will be sooner!)