Robbery in Philly: The Ninth Token

By D.A. Featherling

ROBBERY ISN’T ON THEIR AGENDA…

when Marcus and Samantha Willoughby end up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during America’s first bank robbery. Everyone’s convinced some special work on the bank vaults and locks provided the opportunity for the crime.

The twins agree to help accused blacksmith P

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tranquility Press
• Release date: Feb 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950481002

Book preview

Robbery In Philly:

The Ninth Token

Book 9

Time Game Series

D. A. Featherling

Copyright © 2019 D. A. Featherling

All rights reserved.

ISBN-10: 0-9904977-7-6

ISBN-13: 978-0-9904977-7-6

DEDICATION

To my super beta readers. Thanks for your suggestions, comments, and encouragement. You make me want to keep writing.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many thanks to my special beta readers (in alpha order): Eli Crenshaw, Linda Gray, Jerry A. Harris, Jake Kruse, and Andi Smith, and to my critique partner Sidney W. Frost — your insights are always invaluable.

Thanks to Linda Farmer Harris for technical assistance and to Dave Allred for a great cover (www.davedesigns.com).

And, as always, thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Apart from You, I can do nothing.

CHAPTER 1

Where do you think we are? Samantha Willoughby tried to keep her voice quiet as she and her twin brother stared at the imposing building across the street.

Who knows? Marcus didn’t sound particularly worried. I’d be more interested in finding out what year it is.

Why is it a big deal?

Look around, Sis. It’s late evening. Almost dark.

So? We can see okay from the street lights.

Really? Take a look at them. A close look.

Samantha couldn’t help her gasp. Lamps? Some kind of lamps? Maybe oil lamps? I don’t believe it. Marcus’s snicker didn’t make her feel any less foolish for not having noticed before. Good grief. How far back in time have we come?

I’d guess somewhere in the seventeen hundreds or early eighteen hundreds.

You think we’re in America?

He gestured toward the looming building facing them. Not sure, but since it says ‘Carpenters’ Hall,’ I’d say there’s a pretty good chance we are. At least it’s an English-speaking country.

Samantha glanced down at her clothing. Guess it’s a good thing I wore an old-fashioned long gingham skirt and a blouse and not jeans.

Yep. My old trousers look like they could be worn in any time period. Hopefully we’ll fit in fine.

Thank goodness. Ever since they discovered the board game invented by their late Great-Uncle Henry, the twins had enjoyed a series of adventures traveling through time and space to unexpected, and usually dangerous places. Of course, they had to be careful to not be gone too long. Even though the game managed to compress the days they spent in another place, they had to be sure they weren’t gone more than a few hours or a day back in their own time so their parents got suspicious of where they were.

Since Great-Uncle Henry had managed to solve the issue of time travel either backward or forward, and equip the game with four stones with extraordinary powers, their lives had never been the same.

Satisfaction filled her as she mentally reviewed the green healing stone and yellow light/heat stone she carried, and the ones her brother held. The blue force field stone, and red stone that moved them from place to place. The ones she had were tucked deep into the pockets of her skirt, and she knew Marcus was carrying his two, as well.

She stiffened as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. Someone was heading toward them. Should we hide?

Why? We aren’t doing anything.

I know, but since there isn’t anybody else outside and we don’t know when or where we are…it might be a good idea.

Okay. Marcus pointed to his left. There’s an alleyway between those buildings. Let’s move into it until we see who’s headed our way.

She led the way, heart thumping as adrenaline pumped through her. Where and when on earth had the Time Game brought them now?

****

Marcus stood in front of his sister. Not that she needed his protection, but he’d feel better if he was the first to confront anything unexpected.

They watched in silence as two men moved along the sidewalk across the street.

The taller man stopped in front the building labeled Carpenters’ Hall, peered in all directions. He punched the other man on the arm and gestured a ‘come on.’

The two ascended a short staircase leading to the door recessed in an archway.

A quick rap on the door, a pause, then two more knocks made Marcus wonder if a signal was being sent. His interest level ratcheted up. What was going on?

In mere moments, the door swung open and a stocky form stood silhouetted by the dim light inside. The two on the steps moved ahead. The door closed behind them.

Huh, Marcus couldn’t help his exclamation. The sound didn’t matter since once again there was a deserted street. How odd.

Samantha poked him in the back. You want to quit standing in front of me? It’s a little difficult to see over you these days since you’ve grown a few inches.

He smothered a satisfied grin. Being a head taller than his sister, and well on his way to matching his father’s height, was a blessing. At least, it gave him a bit of a superior feeling when he compared himself with his smart, savvy sister. Not that he ought to be doing it. In fact, at church Youth Group, they’d talked about how comparing ourselves to others wasn’t a good thing. Guess he should have listened harder.

There wasn’t a whole lot to see, Marcus said. Two guys knocking on a door and somebody letting them in. End of story.

At this hour? In such a big building? Who knows what’s inside? Maybe they’re crooks and are going to rob the place.

Marcus snorted. Not likely. They were dressed too nicely to be burglars.

The shorter guy did have a briefcase or satchel. I saw that much before you stepped in front of me.

Didn’t she get he was trying to protect her? Sisters! Marcus smothered a sigh. I doubt there’s anything important inside the building, Sis. Maybe it’s where a bunch of carpenters meet.

Never heard of such a thing. Samantha fell silent.

Marcus figured her brain was going ninety miles an hour, trying to take what she assumed were puzzle pieces and turning them this way and that, trying to make them fit a theory. He stepped forward a few paces, paused at the alleyway entrance. He checked both ways, listened. What was that? You hear anything, Sami? He knew her ears were much keener than his.

She moved beside him. More footsteps. But not very heavy ones. I’d guess somebody fairly small…or lightweight is approaching.

Good. Let’s see if we can intercept them and ask a few questions. I’d like to know where…and when we are so we can figure out what we’re going to get involved in this time. He grinned. No pun intended.

Samantha’s soft punch on his arm responded to his unintentional humor. Come on. We can stand on the street until we see who it is. If they appear safe, we’ll talk to them. If not, we’ll duck in the alley.

They stood silent, as the echo of nearing footsteps sounded louder and louder through the dark night.

****

Samantha breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a young woman hurrying in their direction. Thank the Lord. Now perhaps they could get some answers. As the woman drew near, Samantha walked forward and stopped so she’d clearly be seen.

The steps faltered for a moment, then continued toward them.

When the woman was within earshot, Samantha assumed a pleasant expression. Hello. She glanced to where Marcus still hovered near the alley. Come here, she hissed. She waited for the woman to approach. Good evening. Samantha tried to sound cordial and non-threatening. Could you help us? She sensed Marcus’s presence as he moved alongside her.

The woman clasped a hand to her chest as she stopped. You gave me such a fright. She heaved a sigh. I’m that relieved you’re not robbers.

Samantha smiled. We mean no harm. Just need a little information.

The woman studied them. Like?

Her accent made them hear the word as loy-ik. The woman must be Irish…maybe British. No matter. At least they could communicate in the same language.

I’m Samantha Willoughby and this is my twin, Marcus. We’d like to ask you a couple of questions.

The woman raised her eyebrows. I’m Bridget O’Malley. What do you want to know?

Samantha gestured toward the building across the street. She’d have to be subtle to find out what they needed to know without the woman getting suspicious. We were wondering what the building is for?

The Carpenters’ Hall? Bridget tilted her head in a coquettish manner as she glanced at Marcus. For one thing, it’s where I work two nights a week cleaning offices.

Really. How interesting. What kind of offices are in there?

Right now, it’s got a bank in it…the Bank of Pennsylvania.

Samantha felt Marcus’s twitch behind her. So, they were in Pennsylvania. Good. At least they were in the USA. Now for other answers. Wow. A real bank. I’ll bet it’s exciting working there.

Bridget shrugged. Not so much. It’s only desks and such.

You don’t ever have to…dust the money or anything?

Marcus’s muffled snort poked the logic of her comment.

No. There’s a vault where they lock it up. I never go in there. They have a night watchman to keep up with it. She peered closely at the two of them. Why are you interested in the money? Suspicion crossed her face. You aren’t… planning anything, are you?

Oh, no. Samantha hastened to reassure her. We just arrived in town and wanted to see some of the sights. We thought that building…. she gestured across the street… might be a good place to start.

Mebbe you should wait until daylight. Might be able to see more. The woman’s dry tone of voice made Samantha realize her line of questioning wasn’t obtaining the results she wanted.

Excuse me, ma’am, Marcus’s voice sounded from behind his twin. He stepped forward next to Samantha. My sister probably isn’t making any sense. He grinned. She does that a lot.

Samantha’s elbow started toward his ribs, then she thought better of it. No point in letting the woman witness their sibling squabbles.

The woman studied Marcus. A smile stretched her lips. She looked down, then at him, admiration in her glance.

Well. Samantha couldn’t believe the woman was flirting with her brother. On the other hand, maybe Marcus could succeed where his twin hadn’t. She edged backward a bit and allowed Marcus to take center stage.

CHAPTER 2

Marcus smiled at the woman in return. His mind raced as he tried to figure how to ask the questions they needed answers for. We’ll do more exploring in the morning, of course, he said. We’d like to have an idea of where to begin. The building is impressive.

Bridget nodded. "That it is. Why it was the meeting place for the Continental Congress.