Race for the Flash Stone (The Anlon Cully Chronicles Book 2) Read online

  CONTENTS

  DEDICATION

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  PREFACE

  PROLOGUE

  GARDEN OF EVIL

  FROM UNDER THE ROCK

  OUT OF THE FRYING PAN

  MINDS OVER MATTERS

  MAPS AND MYSTERIES

  SEYBALROSA

  THE PROSPECTOR

  SPECIAL DELIVERY

  SLEUTH OR DARE

  FIND YOUR GENSAE

  THE FLASH STONE

  JUNGLE FEVER

  SIXTH SENSE

  LICHENS, ALGAE AND ZEBRAFISH...OH MY!

  HEATING UP

  HEALING HANDS

  OMETEPE

  CHESSBOARD

  INDIO MAIZ

  A GATHERING OF SNAKES

  THE STONEMAN COMETH

  FLASH POINT

  THE MAERLIF

  SNAKE BITE

  EPILOGUE

  ILLUSTRATION: SINETHAL ETCHING

  GLOSSARY OF MUNUORIAN TERMS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  COPYRIGHT

  NOTE

  RACE

  for the

  FLASH STONE

  K. Patrick Donoghue

  Published by Leaping Leopard Enterprises, LLC

  DEDICATION

  To my mother and father,

  Phyllis and Kevin

  For your lifelong gifts of love, guidance and encouragement

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to extend my thanks to the extraordinary group of people who helped me create Race for the Flash Stone.

  First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife, Bryson, and my two sons, Michael and Stephen. I am humbled by your encouragement, support and understanding. During the nine months it took to write the book, you were thoughtful sounding boards, constructive critics and enthusiastic cheerleaders (as you always are). I couldn’t have published the story without your love and support!

  Next, I would like to thank my super-fans, fans and other Shadows of the Stone Benders readers. Many of you wrote to share your views about the story, the characters and my writing style. Your constructive feedback inspired a number of enhancements in Race for the Flash Stone, and your encouragement made the story a joy to write!

  In addition, I would like to thank the team of people who helped shape and polish the presentation of Race for the Flash Stone: to my editor, Katherine Pickett of POP Editorial Services, for your guidance, suggestions and for challenging me when necessary; to my proofreaders, Cheryl Hollenbeck and Lisa Weinberg, for your eye for detail and genuine interest in my stories; to Asha Hossain, for crafting a cover design that brings the story’s mysterious elements to life; to Amber Morena, for the fresh and eye-catching look of the hardback and paperback interiors; to Donna Owens, for your photographic artistry; and last but not least, to James Lee and Kevin Maines of JML Design, for your sleek design of my author web site.

  Finally, I would like to thank my mom and dad, Phyllis and Kevin, to whom this book is dedicated. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways you show your love. Thank you for being the best super-fans a son could ask for!

  PREFACE

  Thank you for choosing to read Race for the Flash Stone, the second book in The Anlon Cully Chronicles series.

  For fans of the first book in the series, Shadows of the Stone Benders, welcome back! I’m pleased you’ve decided to join Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer for the next leg of their ongoing adventures.

  For those who are new to The Anlon Cully Chronicles, greetings! Given “Race” is a continuation of the mystery first explored in “Shadows,” I encourage you to tackle the series in order. While it’s possible to read Race as a stand-alone mystery, your enjoyment of the story will be enhanced with a deeper understanding of the storyline and character relationships portrayed in Shadows.

  With those salutations made, I offer a prefacing remark to all readers — those who approach Race with a healthy willingness to suspend disbelief will enjoy the story the most!

  While Race is an archaeology-based murder mystery about the search to prove the existence of a long-forgotten civilization, there is a strong element of fantasy in the story (more so than in Shadows).

  The heightened element of fantasy in Race is a direct outgrowth of feedback I received from thousands of Shadows readers. Among these readers, there was a pronounced desire for more focus on the magnetic stones featured in Shadows and the ancient people who created them. Therefore, a greater proportion of Race is devoted to the fantastical stones and fictional civilization.

  If you consider yourself a purist when it comes to mystery/thriller/suspense novels, fear not! So long as you can handle an Indiana Jones-style/level of fantasy, you’ll find plenty of action, treachery, twists and turns to hold your interest all the way through.

  To help all readers with the fantasy elements of the book, I’ve included a glossary of fictional terms used in the story, as well as an illustration of the Sinethal (Master Stone). eBook readers can quickly access these sections by clicking on the links for each in the table of contents.

  Regarding the story itself, the initial chapters of Race are designed to bridge the gap between the state of affairs at the end of Shadows and the onset of the core action of Race. As a result, readers will notice a small crossover in timeline between the two stories.

  Shadows readers will recall most of the story occurs over a week’s time in early May, while the Epilogue scene takes place in mid-July. In Race, the early chapters focus on the activities of the various villains involved in the story between mid-May and mid-July, with Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer joining the storyline in early August (Chapter 4, Minds Over Matters).

  With those prefacing comments in mind, I hope you enjoy the adventure depicted in Race for the Flash Stone and that the story leaves you yearning to know what happens next in the series’ third installment, Curse of the Painted Lady.

  PROLOGUE

  IN THE NEWS

  May 16 – May 31

  MAN KILLED, ANOTHER INJURED, IN FAILED KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT

  Authorities believe the incident may be related to two unsolved murders

  STOCKBRIDGE – May 16 – A 60-year-old Great Barrington man was shot and killed by police Saturday during a botched kidnapping attempt that also left a 42-year-old Nevada man clinging to life.

  According to authorities, the incident began when Mr. Pacal Flores, a resident of Great Barrington, allegedly kidnapped Ms. Anabel Simpson, 58, from her home in Bennington, Vermont, and then drove to the abandoned Stillwater Quarry outside of Stockbridge.

  Once there, Flores contacted Dr. Anlon Cully, a Nevada resident visiting Stockbridge, and demanded certain rare artifacts as ransom. Cully alerted police and then went to the quarry. Before police arrived, a confrontation erupted between the two men and Cully was gravely injured.

  Law enforcement officials were tight-lipped when questioned about Cully’s injuries, but an anonymous source close to the investigation said he was brutally beaten with a stone.

  Det. Lt. Jennifer Stevens, 32, from the Massachusetts State Police’s Berkshire Detective Unit, arrived on scene during the confrontation. According to the police report, Flores attacked Stevens, at which time the detective fired three shots. A police spokesman said Flores was struck twice in the upper torso and died before EMTs arrived.

  In a bizarre twist, the anonymous source indicated Flores might have played a role in the recent murders of two Stockbridge-area archaeologists, Dr. Devlin Wilson and Dr. Matthew Dobson. According to the source, Flores and Dobson worked for Wilson, and the artifacts demanded as ransom belonged to
the deceased Wilson.

  During a brief press conference on Sunday, law enforcement officials identified two others as persons of interest in connection with the crimes: Dr. Thatcher Reynolds, age 64, a New York resident, and Ms. Margaret Corchran, age 38, a Florida resident.

  Authorities seek the assistance of the community in establishing Reynolds’ and Corchran’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Massachusetts State Police tip line.

  NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN DEVLIN WILSON MURDER INVESTIGATION

  Police formally charge Margaret Corchran with murder of archaeologist Devlin Wilson. Corchran’s brother, Kyle, named co-conspirator.

  CONCORD – May 24 – New Hampshire Assistant Attorney General James Dooley announced Margaret Corchran has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of the archaeologist Devlin Wilson earlier this month. Dooley also announced Corchran’s brother, Kyle Corchran, has been charged with conspiracy to murder for his role in the plot to kill Wilson.

  According to police officials present at the announcement, the Corchrans lured Wilson to a treacherous White Mountains hiking trail where Ms. Corchran caused Wilson to fall to his death while Mr. Corchran served as lookout.

  Authorities said Mr. Corchran has confessed to his participation in Wilson’s death and is cooperating with police to help apprehend Ms. Corchran, who remains a fugitive at this writing.

  Dooley indicated the motive for the murder stemmed from Wilson’s discovery of thefts from his private art collection. The Corchrans acted to prevent the archaeologist from contacting police about the missing artifacts.

  The thefts occurred at Wilson’s home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and are the focus of a separate investigation by Massachusetts State Police. Dooley stated the two jurisdictions are collaborating in the collection of evidence and apprehension of Ms. Corchran.

  Massachusetts officials have charged the Corchrans with multiple counts of grand theft, trafficking of stolen goods and unlawful entry. Ms. Corchran received an additional charge for felony assault for injuries inflicted on Mr. Corchran during a failed robbery attempt.

  Dooley said Mr. Corchran is currently being held at Massachusetts’ Cedar Junction prison hospital, where he is recovering from injuries sustained during Ms. Corchran’s assault. He indicated Mr. Corchran will be transferred to a New Hampshire prison facility once doctors approve the move.

  The assistant attorney general finished his announcement by making a plea for any information regarding Ms. Corchran’s whereabouts. He said the fugitive is considered armed and dangerous and a threat to the community. Those with information are encouraged to contact the New Hampshire State Police or Massachusetts State Police.

  MISSING NEW YORK MAN SOUGHT FOR QUESTIONING IN MASSACHUSETTS MURDER INVESTIGATION

  Dr. Thatcher Reynolds implicated in murder of archaeologist Matthew Dobson

  PITTSFIELD – May 25 – Dr. Thatcher Reynolds, 64, a professor of archaeology at New York’s Hamilton College, remains missing as Massachusetts State Police officials continue to investigate his possible involvement in the murder of Matthew Dobson, 74, of Stockbridge.

  Dobson was the research partner of the archaeologist Devlin Wilson, 85, who was murdered in a separate incident several days before Dobson’s killing. Police believe both men’s murders shared a common motive — theft of rare artifacts from Wilson’s private art collection.

  It is in this context police seek Reynolds for questioning. Police believe the professor was involved in a scheme to steal from Wilson. Reynolds’ possible involvement came to light after the main suspect in Dobson’s murder, Pacal Flores, of Great Barrington, was killed in a confrontation with police.

  According to authorities, evidence collected from the homes and offices of Flores and Reynolds indicates both men conspired to snatch artifacts from Wilson, with the intention of selling the stolen goods to black-market foreign collectors whom police have yet to identify.

  Flores and Reynolds reportedly killed Dobson after they discovered that he had designs on stealing the same artifacts in Wilson’s collection.

  Police believe Reynolds fled the upstate New York area shortly after Flores was killed by police, and his whereabouts remain unknown. They speculate Reynolds may have fled the country with the assistance of the unidentified black-market collectors. Those with information regarding Reynolds’ whereabouts or the murder of Matthew Dobson are encouraged to contact the Massachusetts State Police.

  ARGENTINIAN MINING MOGUL UNDER HOUSE ARREST AS U.S. AUTHORITIES SEEK EXTRADITION FOR GRAND THEFT

  Klaus Navarro vehemently denies allegations, vows to fight extradition attempts

  WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 31 – U.S. State Department officials, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, are engaged in contentious extradition discussions with Argentinian government representatives regarding alleged crimes committed by Argentinian citizen Klaus Navarro, age 47.

  Navarro, a businessman who controls several South American mining companies, is a well-known collector and trader of Mesoamerican art. He gained national prominence nearly two weeks ago when the Massachusetts State Police named him as the ring leader of a group that plundered valuable art pieces owned by the murdered archaeologist, Devlin Wilson.

  According to Justice officials, Wilson was killed because he discovered the thefts and threatened to expose the thieves. One of Navarro’s alleged co-conspirators, Kyle Corchran, of Dallas, Texas, was captured by police and fingered Navarro as the “head of the snake.”

  Mr. Corchran indicated that he and his sister, Margaret Corchran, of Miami, Florida, acted as brokers between their uncle, Matthew Dobson, and Navarro in orchestrating several thefts from Wilson’s art collection. Dobson, an employee of Wilson’s, had unsupervised access to the art collection.

  Navarro’s attorneys deny their client’s involvement in any crime. They claim Navarro entered into legal purchase agreements of several pieces from Wilson’s collection under the belief the transactions were authorized by Wilson. Navarro issued a statement echoing this position and vowed to fight to clear his name.

  Thus far, Argentinian officials have rebuffed State Department demands for extradition. A spokesman for the South American country’s diplomatic corps told reporters U.S. officials have provided no concrete evidence of Navarro’s involvement other than the dubious claims of a man facing murder charges. An anonymous U.S. law enforcement officer called the Argentinian position “laughable.”

  CHAPTER 1

  GARDEN OF EVIL

  Pézenas, France

  June 2

  Tightening his robe against the chill, Jacques Foucault followed the Painted Lady as it danced its way through the garden. With great interest, he watched the spotted butterfly bob and weave over and around the blossoms in search of a satisfying meal. Several times the insect landed on floret clusters. Each time, it stayed just long enough to sample the flowers’ nectar before darting off again into the sea of pink. All the while, Foucault trailed behind in stealthy pursuit.

  Foucault was surprised by the butterfly’s movements. He had expected the intrepid migrator to quickly zero in on the beacon, but its actions thus far were erratic and hesitant. Perhaps he was trailing too closely, causing the Painted Lady unwelcome stress. Or maybe, he thought, the medallion bouncing against his chest interfered with its ability to detect the beacon.

  He backed off and let the butterfly dart ahead. Once it disappeared, Foucault popped out of the bushes and strolled along the cobblestone path bisecting the garden. When he arrived at the center courtyard, he lowered onto a stone bench, lit a cigarette and waited for the Painted Lady to flutter back into view. Sure enough, its beating wings soon emerged from behind flowering bushes at the edge of the courtyard.

  Unlike its earlier meandering, the butterfly now flew with purpose and conviction as it headed straight for a group of bushes encircled by black, glittering rocks. When it came to rest on the tallest bush inside the ring, it began to dine on a blossom’s juice. F
oucault exhaled a wisp of smoke and said, “If only it were that easy, mon amie.”

  The comment was followed by a heavy sigh. After so many years of searching, he finally had Malinyah’s map within his reach. With it came the promise of finding the remaining Tuliskaeras, cone-shaped stones with the power to slice through any object its user chose. Wood, rock, metal, people — it didn’t matter. The Tuliskaera could cut through all four at once if necessary. The fearsome Stones were the last pieces Foucault needed to complete his preparations, but once again his hopes were dashed.

  It had happened in a blink of stupidity, and now a new plan was needed. A plan complicated by the possibility the map was no longer in Anlon Cully’s possession. If Foucault’s suspicion was accurate, it meant the map had most likely found its way to Klaus Navarro. From what he knew of Navarro, the Argentinian would pose a formidable competitor in the hunt for the Tuliskaeras.

  Making matters worse, Cully still had Malinyah’s Sinethal. The black tablet held many secrets, including the information necessary to recreate the map. If Cully learned to extract those secrets, he too would be tempted to search for at least one of the Tuliskaeras. To Foucault, one in Cully’s hands was one too many.

  Together, the risks posed by Navarro and Cully were concerning, but they paled in comparison to the one foremost on his mind — all this trouble because Thatcher Reynolds had been reckless.