Lily Story 2
She smiled as she greeted Erik, “Good morning. Glad to see you made it ok.”
Erik smiled in return, “No problems at all.”
He offered his hand to take her bag, then led the way to his dark blue sedan. They were on their way shortly and at the airport in just a short time. Erik did not go to the front entrance of the Airport, but entered through the military entrance, only stopping to show the guard a government identification card. He drove the car to a small hanger with a Learjet 45 beside it. Erik got out of the car and toted Lily’s bag and waited for her to exit as well. Erik escorted her toward the open door and ladder of the jet. As they entered, Erik nodded to the pilot and gave Lily’s bag to the co-pilot, then continuing on into the cabin. Lily sank into a soft tan leather seat as Erik went to the mini bar towards the back of the cabin.
He asked, “Would you like some juice or coffee? There is also some Danishes.”
Having already eaten breakfast, Lily decided on juice, “No food, I already ate. Do you have cranberry?” she inquired.
Erik smiled and replied, “Yes, coming right up”
Juice in hand Lily continued to settle in as Erik sat in seat next to her’s. The pilot came on over the intercom and said that the tower had given the clearance for take off and that they were on time, set to arrive at Hanscom Air Force Base at 11:00 local time. Lily glanced over to Erik as the jet taxied to the runway. In three hours she would be on her way for the meeting at the Institute, she was both anxious and nervous.
Hoping that her nerves were not showing she inquired, “What should I expect? Should I be nervous about this meeting?”
Erik still beaming his confident smile simply replied, “It will just be a normal meeting, nothing to be worried about. I know that you will do fine. Dr. Knightly is an honest and caring man, be you self that is all that you need.”
Lily shrugged and then took a drink of juice. She decided that Erik was not going to give any other useful information about the meeting. Lily looked at her outfit for today, a lightweight wool pants suit in midnight blue with a modest cut silver silk blouse. Her necklace was the same that she wore yesterday at her encounter with Erik, the turquoise and silver pendant that matched again her earrings as well as the barrette she used to hold her long hair back. Her heels were of a dark blue with small sliver adornments on the top. She thought that conservative and professional was how she wanted to project herself.
Erik offered her a newspaper as he pulled a briefcase from the chair behind him. Lily glanced at the paper, really just skimming it, trying to bring some focus to her nervous energy.
In just a few hours the pilot announced that they were making way to begin the decent for landing and to please be buckled in to their seats. The plane landed without incident and then taxied to a waiting limousine. Erik retrieved her bag and she pulled on her jacket. Together they headed towards the car, the driver holding the door open. They were out of the Air Force base in just a few minutes and heading toward the estate, which housed the Institute and her pending meeting with Dr. Knightly.
The ride to the Estate was a short one, only 20 minutes. Lily watched as the limousine pulled past the gate. The entrance was lined with mature trees on each side making a quarter mile tunnel, it open up to a set of English and Italian gardens on either side and then the mansion. The mansion was in the Italian villa style three stories high and with wings that extended off of both ends. The drive made a circle with a marble fountain in the middle. The limousine pulled around the drive and came to a stop at the main entrance. The driver exited and came around to usher Lily and Erik from the vehicle. As they moved toward the steps, a tall stern looking man dressed in a very conservative black suit opened the front door and greeted Erik.
“Good day Master von Eberly, Mistress Sinclair.” The tall man said.
“Good day to you as well, Winston.” Replied Erik, “Is Dr. Knightly ready to meet Ms. Sinclair?”
Winston nodded as he spoke, “Yes sir, I will show Ms. Sinclair to his study. Dr. Knightly has requested that you check in with Molly in the office complex at your earliest convenience. Samuel will attend to your luggage.”
“Thank you Winston.” Erik said, turning to Lily, “I will see after your meeting, you are in great care with Winston.”
Erik entered the estate and headed toward the right corridor. Winston led Lily down the corridor on the left to a set of large oak doors. He rapped on the door softly and then opened it. The study was a large room with floor to ceiling bookcases built in to the walls on two sides; the third side of the vaulted room was large picture windows that looked out upon another garden. In the middle of the room, bathed in sunlight sat a man in his mid fifties, graying hair and spectacled face. He was reading a file when they walked in, but he closed it and stood to greet his visitor. As he stood he revealed that he was of average stature, wearing a dark gray pinstriped suit and dark blue tie against a white shirt. He beamed a brilliant smile and rounded his desk to offer his and to Lily.
“Good day Ms. Sinclair, I am Dr. Knightly the director of Institute for Metaphysical Studies. Please be seated.” As he shook Lily’s hand and lead her to one of the chairs in front of his desk. Then he returned to his seat and sat down and began, “I am so pleased that you agreed to come to the Institute. I am sure that Erik has provided you with a brief history of our organization and it’s goals. I would like to answer any other questions that you might have and then investigate the possibility of your joining our team.”
Lily regarded the room and it’s owner before replying, “Erik wet my appetite to explore your organization a bit more and my mother piqued my interest further as she passes her regards through me.” Dr. Knightly smiled again, and Lily continued, “How do I fit in with the Institute and Hydra?”
Dr. Knightly said, “Well Hydra is not just a single unit as it began, currently we have five teams working together in investigations and missions. We at the Institute are always looking to draw Talented individuals to join and participate in the learning and safety of our Talents. It has served the Institute well to be prepared for any situation that our members might be useful for. We have assisted local and national officials, even international officials in special cases. You are very gifted and I am sure well trained, as I know the care that Wisdom and Fred would provided you in learning.”
As Lily focused on him more when her parents were mentioned, he continued, “Yes I have worked with both of your parents in the past. Your mother was one of our more skilled operatives and one of the stronger telekinetic that we have seen. If my reports on you are correct,” indicating the file on the desk, “you are stronger that she was in her prime. What we would like to offer you is a chance to participate in a mission that might hold your interest and then see if you would like to join us.”
Lily regarded what Dr. Knightly had said and thought about it for a few seconds before she said, “I would be a fool not to see what the Institute has to offer and given my apparent family skill and experience I would be excited to partake in this mission.”
The smile on Dr. Knightly’s face grew as he spoke, “That is wonderful to hear. I will have Winston take you to the dining room to join Erik in a briefing over lunch. I regret that I must be on my way to Washington for a meeting. I look forward to your return.”
Dr. Knightly rose smoothly and offered his hand to shake Lily’s as she also stood. Winston had entered the room and motioned for Lily to follow him.
Erik smiled and Lily entered the dining room. His table was set next to a series of large bay windows; the warm sunlight cascaded all around. Erik stood and offered Lily a seat, gently sliding the chair in as she sat. He continued back to his place and sat down as well. On the table the starched white linen table cloth appeared bright white in the sunlight, a small crystal bud vase held a delicate calla lily with a light butter cream color. A server came and filled Lily’s water glass and informed Lily that the chef had prepared a Boston clam chowder as well as pan seared portabella sandwiches. Lily indicated that the sandwich would be fine. As the server left, Lily looked up at Erik with a question on her face.
“I am interested to find out what type of mission that Dr. Knightly feels is appropriate to test my resolve and gain my participation.” Lily stated in a reserved tone.
Erik took a brief drink of water and pulled a pale gray folder from the briefcase that was at the side of his chair. He handed it across the table to Lily before he spoke, “This is a retrieval request from the FBI, apparently the local officials do not know what to do with it and decided to contact the federal level for assistance.”
Lily flipped open the folder and briefly grazed the information, a monastery located outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma had come into possession of an object that was causing a stir among the Benedictine monks. The item was a jade rosary strung with silver links and crucifix. A visitor noticed it during the Latin celebration of the Devine Office, to be glowing and floating off the display. When the celebration ended, the rosary sank back to its resting place and was no longer glowing. The monks once notified about the occurrence they had a senior brother observe it during the next celebration. The monk tried to touch it while it was active and was unable to make it budge it and he has a slight burning sensation where it touched his skin. After it stopped glowing and levitating, the monk was able to move it without recourse. An attempt to cleanse it rosary in a spiritual sense was made in vain, as the same manifestations occurred afterward. The monks then contacted the local authorities and contact was filtered up the chain until the FBI office in Oklahoma City got wind of it. The agents there then contacted the Institute for the removal and investigation of the item.
Lily looked up from her reading as lunch was severed and she set the folder aside. She inquired of Erik, ” Why was I chosen for this mission and who else will be going?”
Erik replied, “It was suggested that we use telekinetic power to test the rosary while it was animated, before we retrieved it.”
Lily smiled as she ate her sandwich. She patiently waited as Erik took another drink after finishing a bite of his lunch.
“As to the rest of the team, it will include a psychometric specialist – an object reader, by the name of Ian McRyan. We will attempt to gain some understanding of the rosary and possibly the previous owners.” Erik continued, “We will stop in Chicago to pick up Ian and then off to Tulsa tomorrow.”
Lily nodded as they finished lunch. She inquired, “As we are going to be in town, I was planning on meeting my mother for dinner, would you like to join us?”
“Unfortunately I will have to decline the invitation, I have to finish some reports before we leave.” Erik regretfully replied, “I will have a car ready to take you into town when you are ready. It will also be able to collect you in the morning before our flight leaves at eight.”
“That would be wonderful.” Lily said in a pleasant tone, “I will be ready, until tomorrow then.”
Lily rose from the table as Erik did and she nodded as he retreated. Winston came over to inform her that the car was ready in the front drive when ever she wished it. Looking through the windows into the garden in the back, Lily inquired if she would be able to take a few flowers for her mother. Winston smiled and warmly replied that it was a wonderful idea. He also suggested some of the purple tulips that were around the southern hedge line, as they were Wisdom’s favorite. Lily smiled and entered the garden through the French doors between the windows.
