Detective Liam Niles: Threshold Into The Kingdom by BONITA HIGHLEY - HTML preview

The Phantom Templar

William Liam Devon Drake Niles, now eight years old, taking a big breath of air, blew out his eight lighted birthday candles on his chocolate cake décor of medieval theme. His two year old cousin, Kayly mystified by the glow, as his few friends around him fixed their eyes upon his celebration.

His grandfather, Detective Liam Niles his grandmother, Lady Tauna Drake Niles, their pride in grandson. Sir William with Mariam Niles, his Great grandfather and Great grandmother watching.

After his last bite of cake, taking his wooden toy sword, a given gift from his father, Devon Niles, moves into the corridor for a game of ‘Hide And Go Seek with his friends and cousin lagging behind.

Hiding behind a church column, very quiet, then to outwit them all, shifts his position of place, quietly walking away to yet another column, seemingly to be the winner with no one else in sight, he suddenly stopped just short of the next column to see a tall man standing in front of him wearing chainmail with long black cloak with the emblem of red cross on his chest with scabbard sword and mask over his face looking back at him. William, with widen eyes of fear, almost frozen in place, slowly began taking his footsteps backwards until the stranger turned to leave the other direction, as William turned to run back into the great hall, the other kids running back with him. “Father! Father!”

Devon turned to his son. “What is it William?”

William, held his widened eyes. “I saw a man. He was wearing a long cloak with sword. He had a head covering of small chains around his head to chest with a red cross on his front and his face was covered with mask and hood.”

Devon looking at Breyen, then at his father Liam with strange look. “Son. It could just be your choice of party theme, your imagination gone wild.”

William insisting. “But I DID SEE HIM! He was over there next to the columns!”

Devon and Liam looked at each other in question.

Devon, giving him the benefit of undoubt. “ Let’s go take a look son.” They all tread the corridor having William take them to the scene of discovery, stood to see nothing or nobody. Devon, look at William. “Son, as you can see. There is nobody here.”

William, certain. “Will that’s because he walked away as I ran away.”

Liam with Devon, walked a little further down the corridor and even further of opening with nothing in sight.

Devon, crouch down to his son’s eye level. “Son, strangers do and have come into this chapel all the time. Some looking for help, some coming in worship, some in peaceful prayer. Maybe what you saw was one of those people.” Devon gave a loving kiss upon his head.” Now go back to your party.”

William, starting to shrug it off as nothing unusual, ran back to his party.

Liam and Devon looking at each other in their remembering of their father to son days at one time. About to turn back to the party, both looking down to see dirty footprints on the stone floor. Giving each other a curious look, bend down for a closer look to see the unique design of unusual pattern from large size boots. Devon, taking out his cell phone, turned it on, taking a picture of the design, then sending it as link to Inspector Crouse. Then began to tread in the direction of the boot steps going towards the Great Hall, then passed the Great Hall toward the chancery, then ends short at the door. Liam looking at Devon, Devon looking at his father stumped in common sense.

Liam, taking his phone., taps upon it. “Bren. I need for you to unlock the chancery door please.” He taps off.

As Bren arrived, embedding the skeleton key into the keyhole, they enter inside the chancery. Inside the room, nothing out of usual as they walk around for anything looking out of place. Liam satisfied with answer, about to leave, then sees Bren, staring at Sir Knight John Drake’s effigy. Bren seeing him looking her way, she quickly diverted from the effigy, as Liam, caught an image. Going closer to the image, bending down to see the very image she was seeing, an image of a knight’s Templar symbol of a red cross symbol. Standing up in front of her. “Bren, you knew about this. But for how long?”

Bren, in sorrow, “I.. I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Liam, shifted his position. “Bren, I saw you looking straight at it, then look away. That is a Templar Knight’s symbol, on Sir Knight Drakes effigy. Was he a Templar?”

Bren, turn to lean her back against the effigy.” Oh Liam. I do trust you. Connor didn’t want me to say anything to anyone. I do not know.”

Liam, in care for her. “Everything is ok Bren. But now that we know, this has turned into a case to be solved.”