Storming the Kingdom (12 page)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Four Days Ago
Midnight

T
he day had been agonizingly slow for Hawk. Each tick of the clock had crawled across his apartment in the Fire Station as he paced around it. He was amped, he knew it, his brain was in overdrive, and he had spent the entire afternoon into the evening sparring with the thoughts running through his head.

On the streets in Liberty Square earlier in the day, he had clearly heard a woman say, “He doesn’t believe in luck.” It had caused him to stop, look, and search the crowd. The voice had spoken the truth. He didn’t believe in luck at all. The reason was spiritual. As a pastor, he had made the choice to live a life of faith driven by a relationship to Jesus. He believed that all of his life was a gift and it did not unfold by accident, chance, or happenstance. Life was a story that unfolded, not by luck, but by divine providence. He understood that many didn’t believe this or live their lives this way, and this explained a great deal of the struggle that many people spent the bulk of their days trying to unravel. It was this trust, this belief that God was in charge, that gave Hawk the confidence to live life, embrace life, and face it as an amazing adventure. Those who knew him well understood that it was an essential part of his makeup.

“He doesn’t believe in luck,” called out to him in Liberty Square, had taken him back to a moment a few years ago when he had that very discussion with Kiran Roberts. They had been trying to figure out a clue that referred to the unlucky lights, which Hawk had surmised referred to the thirteen lanterns hung on the Liberty Tree in Liberty Square. Could that phrase have been a random statement from someone watching them pass by? Or had the voice sounded familiar to him? Might it have been Kiran herself lurking in the crowd? Was she really back? Had he seen and chased her earlier in the day?

Each thought crashed into his forehead like relentless waves riding on the incoming tide. Each increased in velocity, and at one point he thought he was going to have a headache from the endless repetition of the same questions with no answers over and over again. Then he had been notified that the storm Kate had mentioned to him now had a projected path that would bring it toward Florida. Some of the projected paths brought it right up the center of the state and over Orlando, which meant it would be over the resort. He had activated Phase 5 of their emergency preparedness procedures.

It wasn’t uncommon to do this during the never-ending storm season in Florida. This phase began the early preparations to open the WDW Emergency Operations Center if needed. It allowed all the managers to go through their storm checklists, alerted them that there was a possible storm coming and that it was being monitored closely, and gave them a chance to update all the contact numbers they needed for cast and staffing in the unlikely event they had to put together a team of cast members to help guests ride out the storm.

Hurricane Ginger was out there, and they didn’t want her as a guest. But if she decided to pay them a visit, as always they would be ready. It was fitting; he was monitoring one storm while he was battling another.

In the midst of the distractions of Hurricane Ginger and Kiran, who had blown through his life like a hurricane all her own, Hawk was trying to unscramble the clue Farren had given him. The clue, he was convinced, was a reference to the Walt Disney classic film
Lady and the Tramp
. The scene in question is when Lady is given as a Christmas gift from the husband to his wife. In real life, Walt had given the gift of a dog to his wife, Lillian, in this manner. The clue,
Walt gave Lillian a gift that is forever remembered on film
, had to be referring to that event. The rest of the clue, Hawk had not yet managed to figure out.
Open the gift
…
put it in place
…
then take it to Osh
were all puzzle pieces that he still hadn’t found a place to put…yet.

He stopped his pacing and glanced out the window at the now-empty street below him. The Magic Kingdom was closed, the night crew was moving in, and he knew where to start the search. He narrowed his gaze toward the building on the opposite side of the Town Square, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.

Juliette and Shep were supposed to be meeting him, and perhaps Jonathan would be joining them as well. He could see Shep rocking in a rocking chair on the porch across the street, so he decided it was time to go and meet them.

Leaving the apartment, scooping up the electronic tablet, and locking the door behind him, he bounded down the steps toward the street. At the bottom of the staircase, a security team member he didn’t know, along with Douglas Hall, greeted him.

“Good evening, Hawk.” Douglas smiled as he approached down the stairs. “Going out?”

“Not too far.” Hawk shook his hand and then shook the hand of the other security guard as well. Her name tag read Taylor. “Just headed across the street to work on a few things. I should be alright since the park has closed.”

“I’ll stay close if you don’t mind,” Douglas stated.

“Not at all.” Hawk motioned for him to follow. “I don’t want Al Gann or Mitch Renner yelling at you.”

“Exactly.” Douglas fell in step behind Hawk. As they moved, Douglas signaled for Taylor to remain at the bottom of the stairs.

As Hawk made his way across Town Square, he saw Juliette and Jonathan emerge from the tunnel on the far side of Main Street, U.S.A. They all gathered on the front porch and made their way into the empty lobby of Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Douglas Hall stepped in first, did a quick scan of the area, then exited and took his post outside the front door as the four friends gathered inside. The wall featured a picture of the cartoon owner of the establishment; a smiling Tony was playing the accordion in the drawing just as he had done in the movie. On the flat screen, the animated film was playing as it did every day on a loop for guests to watch as they waited to be seated. The dining establishment was not only themed around the film, it was loaded with drawings, statues, and references to the film that had featured the scene where the dog was given as a gift to the wife, in a hatbox, just as Walt had done for Lillian.

“Interesting day, I hear,” Jonathan said to Hawk.

“Yes,” Hawk completely agreed. “Thanks for coming. You guys have already figured out why we’re here, I’m sure. The gift Walt gave to Lillian that is captured forever on film is a reference to
Lady and the Tramp
. This is the only place I know of that really features that film, those characters, so the rest of the clue to ‘open the gift…’ has got to be here. Or at least that makes sense to me. So let’s get inside and see what we need to do to open the gift.”

“Let’s get started.” Juliette took the lead as they moved though the lobby area and inside the dining section.

Without further instruction, they spread out and began to explore the Main Street dining location. Tony’s featured three distinct dining areas. Juliette and Hawk began to look closely at the larger, main dining area. The checkerboard floor, red-and-white checked tablecloths, and the comfortable family-style seating were like a family-owned New York City Italian eatery. In this case, Tony was the owner. Jonathan moved into the sunroom dining area. The feeling of eating outdoors was the amazing part of this area. Completely surrounded by windows, no matter what the weather really was, the guests would eat in air-conditioned comfort on the hottest Florida days. Shep moved to the outdoor patio dining. This area was shaded, usually air was moved by fans, and it was a favorite of guests to sit and watch parades as they dined. All the decor was patterned after Italian restaurants that most people could identify with.

Hawk stopped at the statue of Lady and the Tramp in the main dining area and flipped open the electronic tablet. Juliette moved over to watch as the device blinked to life.

“You figure something out?” she asked as she stepped in next to him.

“No, not really.” Hawk waved his hand in a sweeping gesture across the dining room. “I’ve gotten here but can’t figure out what the gift is.”

They watched as the golden key icon they used to get clues had no update waiting. There was something else to find.

“That’s disappointing.” Juliette frowned.

“But not surprising.” Hawk again allowed his eyes to search the dining room. “I know this is where we have to be for the first part of the clue. But there’s something we’re missing.

“Let’s check on the boys.” Juliette motioned toward the other dining areas, calling Shep and Jonathan “the boys”; she often reminded people that working with all of her friends was like raising additional children.

Stepping out into the sunroom they, were greeted by an update from Jonathan.

“Not sure what we’re looking for, boss.” He leaned over a table. “How do you open the gift here? I’m not seeing it.”

Hawk didn’t answer. He was looking. As Juliette and Jonathan became aware that he did not intend to respond, they stared at him and then silently tried to follow the direction of his gaze. Without uttering a sound, Hawk continued to look toward the window—but at the same time, at something beyond it. Juliette saw it as well as she moved to stand next to him. They stared at one of the stained-glass-like windows of the sunroom. It was Lady and Tramp, side by side. Hawk motioned with his fingers for Jonathan to join them, and he pointed toward the window as the three of them followed the imaginary line he created with his outstretched arm.

As you looked at the picture of Lady, you could see her smiling face; she was atop a hatbox that was visible from the other side of the street. The optical illusion created by the Imagineers and designers allowed for a subtle tribute to the moment when Lady came out of the hatbox—and Walt had given Lillian her puppy, a little Chow dog, that had inspired this moment.

“No way,” Juliette whispered.

“Unbelievable,” Jonathan added.

“That has to be it,” Hawk agreed.

The Chapeau, the Disney gift shop across the street from Tony’s, featured a hanging hatbox for a sign. It was perfectly aligned so that if you were standing inside Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Lady appeared to be coming out of the pink hatbox, just like in the film. It was a trompe l’oeil for those who were willing to pay attention to the hidden details around them. And this detail, Hawk knew, was the next thing he was supposed to discover.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Four Days Ago
Early Morning

E
verything OK?” Douglas Hall asked, as the four friends reemerged from Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.

Doug had been standing vigil on the porch at the front entrance to the establishment. Their search hadn’t taken long, but Hawk knew that he would like to continue the search without anyone else watching them. As long as Doug remained stationed where he was now, there was no way to hide what they were going to do next. As he stepped on the porch, he took a quick survey of the Town Square. There was no activity at all with the exception of his group on the porch and the lone security guard standing at the base of the stairs leading to his apartment. This struck Hawk as unusual because the night crew normally would be buzzing about this area, preparing it for a new dawn and a new day of greeting guests.

Doug offered an explanation. “We have been trying to create a perimeter around you when possible,” he stated. “It’s not always easy, but at night, the only people near you or your apartment are security teams. The maintenance cast is not allowed in until 4:00 a.m., and they are accompanied by a security detail as well.”

“I see.” Hawk nodded.

“It is not as efficient as you would like for park maintenance. But for the time being, we are trying to be functional and keep you safe.”

“How big is the perimeter you are keeping around Hawk?” Jonathan asked.

“It’s set up by zones.” Doug motioned around him. “If possible, any area Hawk is in, we try to keep as clear as possible. During the day, that’s impossible, of course. But at night, we’re able to keep things relatively empty.”

“And you said that includes maintenance cast members?” Jonathan continued.

“Yes.” Doug tilted his head slightly to the side. “Why?”

“I thought I just saw someone on the other side of the train station.”

“Where?” Doug turned toward the Main Street Station.

“I could be mistaken.” Jonathan pointed. “They were moving underneath, on the other side of the entrance tunnel toward the main gates.”

“Will you step back inside the restaurant?” Doug said to Hawk. “We will check this out.” He motioned to the security guard across the street, and they moved toward the train station.

Hawk moved back to the doors of Tony’s and watched as the two security force members moved toward the tunnels that carried guests in and out of the Magic Kingdom main gates each day.

“Did you really see someone?” Hawk looked toward Jonathan.

“Nope.” He grinned.

“You lied,” Shep summarized.

“I’d like to think of it as causing a diversion,” Jonathan corrected. “Let’s not waste it.”

Instantly, the four moved off the porch and into the street. Quickly crossing to the hatbox of the Chapeau suspended in the air, they paused. It was just high enough to be out of the easy reach of guests—and the CCA.

“I can get to it,” Juliette said. “Give me a boost.”

She kicked off her shoes on the sidewalk and waited. Hawk and Shep stepped below the sign and cupped their hands, giving her a place to step. Placing one foot in Hawk’s hands and stepping up, she then placed the other in Shep’s. They hoisted her up high enough to reach the pink hatbox. Jonathan backed away from them and into the street, watching for the return of Doug and the other guard.

“Be quick,” he offered.

“Hold still,” Juliette whispered down to Hawk and Shep as she tried to steady herself while her hands examined the top of the hatbox. “I can’t find a latch to open it.”

She traced the top rim of the pink box and found no catch or release mechanism. She quickly attempted to release it from the clips that held it on the sign, but they would not give either.

“You’re running out of time.” Jonathan paced nervously, glancing toward the tunnels and then back to the progress his friends were making.

“Try turning the lid,” Hawk suggested as they tried to remain motionless so Juliette would stay steady.

Placing a hand on either side of the pink striped lid, she forced it counterclockwise. As she did, it gave just a little. She pushed harder until it began to spin and then lifted off of the remainder of the box. Leaving it ajar, she had room to put her hand inside. She adjusted her balance and stretched to reach into the box, tapping and feeling her way across the box with her hand. Her fingers clasped something. Closing her hand, she grabbed it, freed it, and then quickly rotated the lid back into place.

“Got it,” she whispered, as Shep and Hawk gently lowered her back to the ground.

“Let’s go.” Hawk grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her back toward the porch.

Shep followed, scooping up her shoes. Jonathan began to frantically wave for them to hustle, as he could see from his angle the security team returning. The four of them stepped back on the porch and reassembled by the front doors. Douglas eyed them suspiciously as he returned to the porch.

“I thought I asked you to stay inside,” he said coolly.

“ We were curious,” Hawk stated. “Is everything all clear?”

“Yes, just someone who didn’t understand where they were allowed to be,” Doug responded.

“Really?” Jonathan audibly gulped as the question came out.

“The guy was supposed to be staying on the other side of the entrance gates. He wasn’t paying attention and kept working on the wrong side. Too close to where we are.”

“Thanks for checking.” Hawk shot a sideways glance at Jonathan. “We’re going back to the apartment.”

“Sounds good.” Douglas hesitated, looking at the four of them before continuing. “Since we moved away from it to check out the main gate area, I want to make sure the apartment is clear before you go back in.” He opened the door to the restaurant. “This time, wait inside so we can make sure everything is clear, please.”

“Will do.” Hawk motioned and they all followed him in.

Through the window they watched as Doug moved to the middle of Town Square and waved for the guard at the apartment steps to meet him there. After a quick conversation that included several glances back toward the restaurant to make sure they were still inside, the other guard moved off and up the stairs to check the apartment.

“I thought you said you were lying.” Shep turned toward Jonathan.

“I said I was creating a diversion.” He shrugged. “I didn’t know anyone was really there.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Hawk turned toward Juliette. “Well?”

Smiling, she opened her hand and revealed what had been inside the hatbox. Nestled in her palm was a dark gray MagicBand. Trimmed in black, it resembled a sturdy plastic watch. Instead of a watch face, it was emblazoned with the outline of the Mickey Mouse icon. The head and ears sat in the center of the band.

“A MagicBand.” Jonathan lowered his head to look closer.

MagicBands had been introduced by the company to create an easier and more seamless guest experience. Using advanced technology, the device allowed you to use the wristband to gain entrance into a theme park or water park. The same band would open a guest resort room. You could also use it buy food or merchandise, and it had replaced the old Fastpass system and allowed guests to map out their day in a theme park and get express priority on the attractions of their choosing. The original testing and implementation had been sluggish, and many glitches had to be corrected. Using radio frequency technology, these bands had been wildly enjoyed and at the same time criticized by some because they feared they could be used to track guests throughout the resort. But Disney fans had ended up embracing the new technology; they liked the way they could personalize the durable bands, and in the end, they had been wildly accepted.

Juliette turned the band over in her hand. She stopped and with a finger pointed to the underside of the band. “This must be yours.”

In white letters against the dark gray backdrop was a name:
HAWK
. She handed the personalized MagicBand to him and then helped to secure it to his wrist. “‘Open the gift, put it in place, then take it to Osh.’”

Hawk double-checked to make sure it was secure around his right wrist. “So now all I have to do is take it to Osh. Whatever that means.”

“You don’t know?” Jonathan continued to look at the band on Hawk’s wrist.

“No, I have no idea.”

“Then that’s what we figure out next.” Juliette motioned toward the doors, as Doug was now getting ready to come inside and join them.

The door opened, and he stuck his head inside. “All clear. If you’re going back to the apartment, you’re all set.”

“Good, thanks.” Hawk moved through the doors behind him.

As they made their way across Town Square, the group stayed in a tight clump.

“Any more…uh…field trips scheduled for tonight?” Doug said over his shoulder to Hawk as they walked.

“Maybe, not sure. I went stir-crazy being cooped up in the apartment all afternoon. So I’m not so sure I’m going to stay inside all night.” Hawk patted him on the back.

“Fair enough.” Doug glanced toward the CCA. “But I will be going with you, if that is acceptable.”

“Sure,” Hawk responded.

He felt a gentle tug on his shirt as they moved by the Emporium. He turned to see Shep pointing toward the giant gift shop. Hawk looked in the direction he was pointing but didn’t see what Shep was trying to show him. Juliette and Jonathan noticed what Shep was doing as well and tried to decipher what he was pointing toward, but they too didn’t understand. Finally they stopped moving and stood on the street, just off of the main entrance to the store. Doug realized he was now separated from them, and he stopped and turned back to rejoin them where they had come to a halt.

“What are you pointing at?” Hawk looked at Shep.

“Check that out.” Shep again pointed toward the Emporium.

The main entrance of the Emporium allows guests to enter on the corner connecting Town Square and the beginning of Main Street USA. Inside the alcove where the double doors open, there are two display windows. Easily missed as guests hustle past to begin shopping, the windows usually contain some type of display merchandise. But now, with Shep pointing directly toward them, Hawk noticed something he had never seen before. Stepping away from them and moving toward the shop, he now saw what Shep was showing him. He turned back and motioned toward what he had found for the rest of the group to notice.

The gold letters at the bottom of the window read “Osh” Popham—Proprietor.

“Then take it to Osh,” Hawk said softly. “Doug, I think we’re going to take a slight detour and go shopping.”

Now?” Doug asked.

“Right here, right now.” Hawk moved toward the entrance of the Emporium.