Treasure Protectors

Chapter 2

During their hunt the Gates' siblings were at a loss but ,of course, neither would admit it. Alex found any offense when Ian offered to hire another history expect. Ben hadn't reacted too well either, rather throwing himself into even more research. Eventually neither Alex of Ben could deny that they needed help. 

With the group at a a dead end Ian thought it was best to hire someone to hack into confidential government documents, a skill with technology that none of them had. There really wasn't much to find until they figured out the next clue 

"We've been at a dead end for years." Alex joked, smiling but never lifting her eyes of the book she was searching through. Throughout her and her brother's partnership with Ian they hadn't felt the need to hire anyone else. Her and her brother had been hurt and Ian's suggestion at hiring another body but Alex had succumbed faster than Ben  some things they just didn't know. 

Ian gave a grunt in annoyance but ignored her as he faced Ben, who was looking at Ian in disagreement. 

"We can figure out the next clue." He replied  "We just need more time." Ian motioned to Alex to help him out but Alex waved him off.

"Ben, if you can't figure this out our only option is bringing someone to get information we don't have." Ben gave her a scolding look which she took as permission to continue  "We need help." She continued. After reasoning with her brother he eventually agreed to including another members on the team. 

Ian had said he knew a guy, Alex wasn't as convinced. Having "muscle" was one thing, but having someone actively be immersed in the specifics of the hunt was another.

"Don't worry Alex," Ian said and Alex knew he would try to be comforting  "I found this guy on one of your online  history groups."

It wasn't history per se, rather an online forum about different theories throughout history. Alex had no idea how Ian found out about  the site but she imagined that someone as interested in treasure as he was would have resources.

Ian had promised to set them up and Alex had just assumed that Ian had already spoken to the person he deemed good enough for the search. Who would've thought that Ian would bombard a stranger with three individuals talking nonstop of a treasure.

The three made it into what had to be the most boring building ever. Ian had led the Gates through the small aisles along grey cubicles. There were no images and next to no windows.Alex felt as though she was walking through an other universe, she had to remind herself not to breathe to loudly or she'd upset the silence of the floor.  

Alex looked around for the name tag of the person they were meeting. She figured Ian must be handy with the computer too if he found the name of someone on a supposedly anonymous site  she tapped her brother before pointing to the corner cubicle. Ben nodded and they made their way over.

"Riley Poole?" Ian asked, resulting in the man at the desk jumping slightly.

He turned around and Alex was met by someone young, someone her age.

"Ian Howe, Ben and Alex Gates." He introduced, using his hand to point at each individual. Ben leaded forward to shake his hand while Alex smiled and gave a small wave. She noticed that despite the drab design of the floor Riley had a collection of colorful items decorating his desk. She was impressed at the fully completed Rubix cube. She noticed a small hula dancer and a wall decor item of an Alien saying "I believe" 

"Can I help you?" The young man replied, looking between the three of them and Alex imagined that he thought he was in trouble 

"We have a proposition for you." Ian began  "Ben." He gestured 

Ben cleared his throat before looking at Riley. "You've heard of the Templar Treasure?" He asked but  his tone communicated that it was a statement.

If it was anyone else Alex probably would've watched in amusement as her brother and Ian ambushed someone with questions but this guy looked so confused and scared she just wanted them to back off 

"Lay off it guys." She turned to her brother who was still waiting for an answer. He reluctantly turned his head to his sister who stepped forward and held out her hand.

"Sorry to bother you but we were wondering if you would have a few minutes to talk."

"Uh sure." Riley replied slowly. " I guess now? I don't think anyone would notice if I'm gone."

Alex smiled and allowed the rest to walk ahead of her as they left the building. Alex pointed out a small diner and before anyone could refuse was already through the door. The two Gates siblings had taken turns telling Riley about the treasure, their family history and the clues they'd gathered so far. Ben remained analytical and to the point while Alex had shared the emotional attachment the two had to the treasure. She mentioned their grandfather's journal with the clues written in as well as their connection to President Jackson.

Ben had then dove into what they needed from him. There wasn't a way to sugarcoat the skill necessary. Alex had watched as Riley's eyes widened when Ben mentioned finding secure records. She had glanced at Ian who remained as emotionless as usual. He had remained silent for the majority of the meal, other than to tell Riley what he had been looking for when he found him  

The hardest part wouldn't be convincing him that the treasure was real but that it was worth the risk to find. Against Ben's protesting Alex had thought it was a good idea to bring the first clue, the secret lies with Charlotte, as well as a large folder of the information collected so far.

She watched as Riley's eyed glanced over the pages, his eyebrows furrowing and occasionally asking who a specific person was, which Alex and Ben would compete to answer first.

"Okay." He replied after looking through the papers.

The three looked at him shocked. "What?" Alex replied.

"I'll do it." Riley replied before looking at the three. "I think."

"Could you do it?" Ian asked.

"Yes." He smiled before his smile fell. "Do what exactly?"

"We needed to hack into a secret government database to find documents on nameless Freemasons."

"Okay." Riley replied. "That's all?"

Alex tried to hide her smile as Ben looked taken aback and Ian looked surprised.

"For now." Ben replied.

"Do you thing you can do this Riley?" Ben asked. Alex and Ian both had their eyes trained on the young computer wizard.

"Yes. No. I mean, yes I can do this but legally, I don't know." He stuttered, withering under the gaze of the three treasure hunters.

"It's not for the faint hearted." Ian commented. Alex could practically see his disinterest, not that he'd back from his support of the person he campaigned for

"I guess it is kind of dangerous." Alex admitted. "Never thought of it like that. It's always seemed like a school project." The group remained silent. Only Ben responded, giving Alex a small smile, telling her that even though he heard he joke he hadn't appreciated it

" We can find someone willing to break rules." Ian suggested. Alex raised her eyebrows at him, calling his bluff. Ben looked as if he was considering it.

"No." Alex stated. Once they told one person about the treasure word would get out. Even Ian wasn't stupid enough to share that information with someone he didn't trust. As for Alex and Ben their family treasure was the most important thing. Neither would sacrifice their one chance to find it. 

After a little more convincing, mainly on Alex's part, Riley begrudgingly agreed, commenting on how the worst thing that would happen would be going to jail.

"See." She beamed. Ian scoffed. "Welcome to the team, Poole."

He grinned back at her. Ben gave an accepting nod. Ian shrugged, finally shaking his hand.