The Orichalcum Rod

By Travis Pearson

A suspenseful, thrill ride with themes of personal sacrifice, dedication, and humility underscoring the action. 

A dream vacation turns deadly. 

No one plans to live a nightmare, but Richard Carson suspects that he and his wife Kaylie chose the worst possible location for their honeymoon vacation. Nestled in an isolated vil

• Language: English
• Publisher: Travis Pearson
• Release date: Nov 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732834026

Travis Pearson

Travis Pearson is a retired bank chairman and chief executive officer, an accomplished marksman, pilot, sports car driver, martial artist, and sportsman who tells an interesting story. He currently resides in Lucas, Texas.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

Inspiration and encouragement

I have to thank my awesome wife, Linda. She read the early drafts, and chapter rewrites. Her guidance and comments contributed to plot, characters and storytelling. She sacrificed her family, hobbies, and leisure to enhance this manuscript.

She is my beautiful proofreader, inside and out. I know she is beyond any doubt, the best!

Plot guidance

Thanks. To my daughter, Alissa. She contributed to plot and character development and sacrificed family time to do this and become a part of this project. I learned it’s not easy raising four children and taking care of one husband while contributing her storytelling expertise.

Support and encouragement

A big thank you to Mike R. an avid fan of the Travis Pearson books. He enjoyed all of them and expressed his appreciation. He told me my storytelling created vivid images in his mind. His support and encouragement motivated me to finish The Orichalcum Rod.

Chapter 1

Cathy Ryan’s bon voyage party overwhelmed her mother’s three-bedroom, two-story bungalow and its spacious backyard. Hundreds of friends and neighborhood residents came to celebrate Cathy’s high school graduation and her invitation to participate in an exclusive archaeological dig. Cathy had submitted a photo, filled out a questionnaire, and included copies of her pertinent medical records as evidence of her health and suitability to join in the effort to preserve ancient treasures. A letter had informed her that she’d won first place, and that her boyfriend, Wes, could accompany her.

Erin Ryan, Cathy’s mother, idolized Katheryn, her only child, whom everyone, including Erin, called Cathy. Erin, who was a single mother, saw to it that Cathy had anything she desired and that she participated in sports, cheerleading, and local beauty contests.

Erin noticed that all of Cathy’s friends were boys, and she wondered why none of the girls from Cathy’s class had come to her party. Although Erin thought Cathy’s current boyfriend, Wes, seemed immature, she didn’t agree with her brother that Wes acted like a bully and a troublemaker. Erin thought that Wes served as Cathy’s protector and suspected that Cathy’s uncle competed for the role.

Erin observed the smiling faces of her guests as they enjoyed food from a local caterer, along with the many appetizers that her neighbors had contributed.

She glanced at Wes and noticed that his left cheek had a scar, and that his nose sported a bump from a shopping-mall altercation that had occurred a few years ago. Erin remembered Cathy listening intently as Wes told them that two older men had attacked him without cause or provocation.

Erin knew that Wes rarely went anywhere without his friends: Stanley, who preferred the nickname Snake, and Cliff. Wes had seemed momentarily stumped when her brother asked, Where were Cliff and Snake when the men attacked you?

Wes glanced upward and to the left as his eyebrows tightened and lines appeared on his forehead before he said, They went to the restroom. Wes studied Cathy’s uncle and then said, They left at a bad time.

No one responded. The silence and the intense gaze of Erin’s brother caused Wes to continue his account.

He had told them that he and his father returned to the mall later the same day to find the troublemakers. Wes referred to his father as a no-nonsense policeman.

Did your father arrest the thugs? Cathy’s uncle asked.

No.

Then Wes abruptly stood up and walked away.

After her brother heard Wes’s account of the incident, Erin asked him, Do you think that Wes is accurately telling us what happened to him?

No. I don’t believe a word of it, her brother said.

Is it possible that you don’t like Wes, and that is clouding your opinion? Erin asked.

No.

Erin’s attention returned to the guests at the party. She wished her brother could have attended to see Cathy off on her journey, but he worked as a high-level government investigator for the specialized intelligence unit and was away on assignment, as he often was. Since this opportunity had arisen, she hadn’t had the chance to discuss Cathy’s expedition with her brother and seek his insight.

She already knew that Cathy’s uncle didn’t approve of her spring break vacations in Cancún or Acapulco. Erin remembered that when Cathy returned unharmed from each of these excursions, she argued with her uncle and said, See? I’m fine. You overreacted. Probably from the paranoia you acquired from working your government job.

Erin knew that despite their disagreements, they loved each other. Since her brother didn’t have children, Cathy was like a daughter to him.

Cathy hugged Erin and said, Mom, it’s time for me to go. You take care, and I’ll see you in a week. Love you! Erin smiled as Cathy kissed her on the cheek, then watched Cathy say goodbye to the guests as she left for the airport with Wes. Cliff and Snake were driving them there.

Erin knew there were no landlines at this remote location, and there wouldn’t be cell phone reception either. The literature touted this as a positive, the seclusion allowing the explorers to relax and escape their usual routine.

She planned an even bigger welcome-home party and hoped the seven days would pass quickly.

The days dragged for Erin, who before this trip had spoken to her daughter daily. She missed that interaction. To stay active, Erin met with her friends and neighbors for lunch and shopping and kept to her routine of walks and bike rides. Also, she meticulously planned Cathy’s welcome-home party. Erin hired party planners to prepare signs and table decorations, and she visited the local eateries to sample their catering. The harder Erin worked at making this neighborhood event the perfect community gathering, the nearer Erin considered Cathy’s homecoming.

Erin contacted the local newspapers and relayed her excitement about Cathy winning an all-expenses-paid trip to the rainforest, where she would share in the archaeological studies of a mysterious, ancient civilization. She invited them to attend the party and promised them exclusive interviews about different aspects of Cathy’s trip. Erin sensed their excitement and could tell they thought this story promised insight and human interest.

As part of Erin’s final party preparation, she invited the local photographers who had snapped the fantastic photographs of Cathy’s beauty contests and modeling poses over the years.

Erin breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that Cathy’s plane would arrive later that day.

The catered food arrived as anticipated, and Erin enjoyed the samples she tasted. She thought, Everything is perfect!

The guests started to arrive, and soon Erin heard the buzz of many conversations and the occasional laughter, and she could feel the excitement of her community. She regretted that her brother could not attend this gathering because he was returning to the country tomorrow.

After a glance at her wristwatch, Erin approached Cliff. Do you have the flight information?

Yes. Snake and I are ready to go to the airport and get them, Cliff said.

You’ll meet them at their gate? Erin asked.

Absolutely!

Please call me the minute they arrive. She looked into Cliff’s eyes for verification.

I will.

And you both have your cell phones? Erin asked.

Yes. See you soon, Cliff said, and tapped Snake on the shoulder. Erin watched them leave her house.

Erin mingled with her guests, the reporters, and the photographers. She felt that the house was electric with anticipation of Cathy’s return.

About forty-five minutes after the airplane’s scheduled arrival, Erin called Cliff’s cell phone.

Cliff answered, Hello.

It’s Erin. Did Cathy and Wes arrive? she asked.

No. I’m not sure what happened, but they weren’t on that plane, Cliff said with confusion apparent in his voice.

Please! Look into the mix-up and call me as soon as you learn anything. Erin’s concern was bordering on panic.

Will do, Cliff said.

The time passed slowly, and the guests, newspaper reporters, and photographers became restless.

A newspaper person said, It’s getting late, and I have a few stories to write tonight. Call me after Cathy is home, and we’ll schedule an interview.

The photographers prepared to leave and made a similar promise.

Erin knew that after they departed, the excitement and energy of the stories wouldn’t be the same as if Cathy had returned as expected.

At midnight Erin said good night to her final guests, who tried to console her as they left her house.

Fighting back tears of concern and frustration, she called Cliff again.

Anything? Erin asked.

Nothing. Snake and I have spoken with anybody who would listen to us about Wes and Cathy. They weren’t on that flight, and their names weren’t on any passenger lists with that airline. Someone in management said to contact the contest people, Cliff said.

Erin hung up and tried to stop the tears that filled her eyes.

Still crying, she dialed a number her brother had given her, an emergency-only number, and left a message: This is Erin, and this is an emergency! Please call at your earliest convenience!

Chapter 2

After a restless night of horrible dreams and thoughts that were even worse, Erin awoke to her blaring phone. She grabbed it.

Hello!

Erin, it’s me. I got your message, her brother said.

Cathy’s missing. She didn’t come home. I’m so worried about her, Erin explained.

Slow down and start from the beginning. Cathy didn’t come home from where? he said.

Erin relayed the events of the past week from her perspective while her brother listened in silence, except for an occasional aw haw to let Erin know that he was attentive.

I’ll come to your house immediately, but I would like you to get some information for me that will save time in finding Cathy, he instructed.

Wes’s father is a policeman. Would it help if you coordinated with him? Erin asked.

Sure. What’s Wes’s father’s full name and phone number?

I don’t know, Erin said.

Erin sensed her brother’s doubt, but she knew he didn’t have kids and speculated that he didn’t know the current social norms.

The doorbell rang and startled Erin.

I’ll get that! Maybe it’s Cathy, she said hopefully.

Erin, don’t hang up! her brother said.

Erin ran to the door and opened it to Cliff and Snake, and she let them in.

She could tell that they saw the disappointment on her face.

Mrs. Ryan, we were hoping that you found out what happened to Cathy and Wes, Cliff asked, and waited for a response.

Erin thought Snake looked like he was hoping for good news.

Nothing was all Erin said as tears filled her eyes.

From the phone, her brother called, Erin! Erin!

Erin sniffled and grabbed her phone. It’s not Cathy. It’s Cliff and Snake, she said.

Ask them for the full name and phone number of Wes’s father, her brother said.

Erin looked at Cliff, who usually spoke for both of them. What are Wes’s father’s full name and phone number?

Cliff glanced at Snake before answering. Upon seeing him shrug he said, We don’t know.

Erin relayed the response to her brother, and he asked to speak to Cliff directly. Erin put the phone on speaker before handing it to