Ribbon of Steele: A Romance of Suspense Read Online Free PDF Page B

and then more easily. Daylight flooded the bunker for the first time in years. It was eerily quiet. From a long way off, he heard James start the Duesenberg. He stepped into the bunker. He had expected a much larger space, and was surprised to see the room only extended about ten feet in either direction. The air smelled as though it hadn't been stirred in years.  His eyes scanned the space. On one wall there were supplies. A lantern, matches, and canning jars lined the wooden shelves on the wall, and looked as though they had been there since the 1940s. On the wall opposite the door was a small cot. A heavy wool blanket had been carefully rolled and placed at the foot of the mattress. The last wall held a small writing desk. Its chair had been neatly pushed back into place, and a single piece of paper sat on the desk. Mackenzie walked to the desk and picked up the paper. It was dated exactly ten years ago to the day.
     
    September 18, 2003
     
    My Dearest Son,
     
    I regret I am unable to tell you this in person. My health has degraded to such a degree that I know I will not have the pleasure of being in your company again.
     
    I am very pleased you were able to find this letter through the instructions I left for Marc Anderson, and I am sure you are wondering why I asked you to be here on this date. The truth is my son, I wanted to buy some time. As I write this, we are feuding. I needed you to grow up a bit more before telling you what I am about to say. It's a funny thing about time. It causes you to reflect differently after a few years. I sincerely hope this is the case.
     
    I know you and I have failed to see eye to eye in recent years. We both shared harsh words on a great many things. I hope the last ten years have helped you to better understand my position. I hope you can now understand why I have transferred the company into Mr. Wickes' control in the last few months. I know you want to run Steele and Wickes, but as I write this, you are not ready. I hope you will also understand that my anger towards your extravagant lifestyle was not meant to cause pain, but to provide direction. I trust that the last ten years have allowed you to think and reflect. I hope you are ready.
     
    As part of my recent deal with Mr. Wickes, I have secured the 51% of the company for you beginning on January next. You are now endowed with a great responsibility. I trust that time has allowed you to gain the composure and strength needed to fulfill your legacy.
     
    Copies of all the legal documents outlining this arrangement with Wickes can be found in the drawer below. It was conducted with the utmost secrecy and only Wickes and I were part of this arrangement. As you might expect, I immediately sought Mr. Anderson's council following our agreement.
     
    Mackenzie, please know that your mother and I loved you very much. You made us immensely proud. I trust you will step forward to meet the challenge I have given to you on this day.
     
    In the drawer below, you will also find something your mother wished you to have.
     
     
    Love, Dad
     
    The letter was dated three days before his death. Mackenzie took a deep breath and opened the drawer. Inside, on top of a large stuffed folder was a small platinum ring engraved in scripted font.
     
    Veritas Lux Me a .
     
    Mackenzie rubbed ring between his thumb and fingers, deep in thought. His mind was reeling. He thought of his father, and remembered how angry he was after hearing the company had been turned over to Wickes. His father did have a plan for him, he just didn't know it then. Thinking back, his father was right. He had done a lot of growing up in the last ten years. At first, his lifestyle was fast and he took risks, but ten years had given him perspective, just as his father had wished. Still, it was a lot to take in. He thought about crashing the catamaran, and wondered if he was truly the man his father had hoped him to be. Mackenzie looked down at the small ring that belonged