Scene 14


Map Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot


Upon reaching the Library, my associates and I split up to pursue our investigation. Ms. Starling and Ms. Thrush went off in search of the Moderators to further question them. Ms. Stork and Ms. Swan immediately set up their station in the Library to begin their research. My other associates remained in the Library to help them with whatever was needed.

I decided that I would go to the Map Room to seek the assistance of the Cartographer. Upon entering the room, I encountered a tall, bald gentleman sporting many tattoos and tribal looking ear plugs. I assumed this must be Bradley, who had assumed the position of Cartographer upon the resignation of Paul.

I approached the man and introduced myself. “Good morning, I’m Mr. Dove. You must be Bradley.”

“Yes I am. You’re the head of the team that Mike summoned for the investigation, right.”

“Correct, we’re searching for the kidnap victims.”

“Awful situation, how may I help?”

“Well, for one thing, I understand that you have a map showing the locations of all the members of the forum.”

“Of course, wait just a minute while I bring it up on the big screen here.” He turned to a computer on his desk and in moments a large display screen on the wall lit up with a map of the world.

“On this map,” he continued. “We can see the location of the residence of every member of the forum. You’ll notice several icons scattered across the United States and Canada, many in the United Kingdom, a number in other European Countries, several down under in Australia, and a few scattered among other countries.”

“For example,” he went on, “Let’s zoom in on the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.” He moved the mouse on his computer and clicked it a few times. “Do you see that icon sitting on Frederick, Maryland? That’s your main residence.”

“Right,” I answered. However, I had noticed something else. “Could you zoom down to the Caribbean? I thought I saw something there and I didn’t realize we had any members there.”

“Uhm, okay” he said, with a note of worry in his voice. A few clicks of his mouse brought up that region on the map.

“There,” I said, pointing to the United States Virgin Islands. “Zoom in on that icon.”

Another few clicks of his mouse zoomed the map to show the island of St. John.

I turned to Bradley. “Who lives there?” I asked.

I could tell that he was nervous as he answered. “Well, that’s your beachfront villa.”

This surprised me. “How is that on the map? I never revealed that location to anyone here.”

“Errrr, Mike had me put it on there. He had me include your chalet in Colorado as well.” It was obvious he was very uncomfortable with this line of questions.

It was also obvious to me that Mike knew a lot more about my team than I ever imagined.

“Well, alright,” I said. “How about if you show me the locations of the missing members?”

He seemed obviously relieved as he turned back to the computer. He manipulated the mouse through several clicks and soon the screen showed only three icons: one in Arizona, one in Tasmania, and one in England.

I stood looking at the screen for a few minutes, trying to formulate how we might proceed.

I turned back to Bradley. “Thanks, we’ll be needing this map again once we have some more clues.”

“No problem. I will be here for the duration of this situation. I’m glad to help out.”

I took my leave of Bradley and went back to join my associates.