doors, Jack” Gaur said.
Jack stopped in his tracks.
“Remember,” Gaur continued, “I’m the one who was in charge when Sotto tried to unify the attractions, and I spent a lot of my own time and money researching the Lafitte legend. Let me go with you to examine the clues you’ve found, I know I can help you put the pieces together.”
Jack wanted nothing to do with Gaur. They never got along, and Jack kept his distance from him when he was at the Park. At this point, however, he didn’t have a choice—he needed all the help he could get.
“Ok, come with us, but do you realize how much danger you’re in?”
“Yes, Jack, but there’s too much at stake, I need to help.”
Ruddy walked up as they were getting ready to leave, and Jack bolted in his direction.
“Where have you been?” Jack’s eyes locked on Ruddy.
“I’ve been at the front gate.”
Jack glared at him suspiciously.
“Are you trying to imply that I had something to do with this?” Ruddy said as he looked around at the destroyed Control Center, “Really Jack? After the information I gave you today? I can’t believe that you think I would be a part of a terrorist plot against the place I love.”
Jack grabbed Ruddy’s shirt under his neck and brought him close. “Someone here is working against us, and I think it’s you.” Jack’s piercing eyes surged deep into Ruddy’s eyes as if he was trying to penetrate his mind.
“That’s ridiculous. I’ve never liked you, Jack, but that doesn’t automatically make me a part of a terrorist plot to destroy the Park.” Ruddy’s eyes bulged and his face was beet red.
Jack didn’t know what to think, his whole body ached, and he was confused.
Ruddy took short breaths as he remained helpless in the grip of one of the most dangerous men alive.
“Look Jack,” Gaur interrupted, “I was with Ruddy at the front gate when the bomb went off, he brought me up to speed in hopes that I could help. I don’t think Brett would be involved in something like this.”
Jack looked at Gaur and back at Ruddy, who was on his tippy-toes due to the stronghold Jack had on his shirt. Jack realized the death grip he had on Ruddy, and let him go. He looked back at Gaur.
“Ok, Gaur let's go, we’ve got work to do.”
Jack entered the Park through the Cast Member entrance near the Opera House in Town Square, and Gaur followed close behind heading for Main Street.
Jack quickly listed the clues for Gaur to bring him up to speed as they walked, “The park bench, the golden spike, Lafitte, a secret attraction under Pirates, a secret door by the Haunted Mansion, and 1764 is everywhere—what do you make of all that?”
“A secret attraction?”
“Yes, under Pirates—Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop.”
Gaur stopped in front of the Magic Shop on Main Street’s red-colored brick sidewalk.
“Jack, I’m almost certain the only ones who knew about this tunnel were Walt and your dad. And your dad has to be the one who orchestrated these clues. We have to examine them through his eyes because they were probably meant for you. There has to be a device that unlocks those doors, and it’s based on something inside your dad’s head.”
Luke’s voice shot through Jack’s earpiece, “Jack, Kim has been analyzing the clues, and she thinks they have to do with your mom and dad’s wedding inside the Park.”
“Their wedding?”
“Yes, Kurt Russell and the golden spike are both related to their wedding. Your dad proposed to your mom on the park bench, and Fortune Red was the basis for the talk he had with you about Kate.”
“Ok, but none of this tells me how to get in those doors?”
“I know, I’m still working on it.” Luke said.
Jack focused in on Gaur.
“Why did my dad kill Sotto’s unification plan in the 80s?”
“I’m not sure Jack, your dad put a stop to a lot of things, and he rarely gave reasons for them, he didn’t have to.”
Jack analyzed
The Best of Murray Leinster (1976)