Read Online The Initiation by Ridley Pearson - Free Book Online Page B

it.”
    â€œHow weird is that? You know? We get a shout-out from the headmaster, which I could have done without, and then he brings up some family heirloom we’ve never heard of.”
    â€œI think Baskerville is filled with stuff wehaven’t heard of,” James said.
    â€œMeaning?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s hyperbole,” Sherlock said. “He’s exaggerating to make a point, in part because of the note in his back pocket.”
    James turned to Sherlock Holmes as if ready to decapitate him.
    â€œJamie?”
    â€œIt’s nothing. And I said cool it with the nickname!”
    â€œWe can assume it has to do with the missing Bible,” Sherlock said. “And because of the way Jamie responded to it—bewilderment with a dash of curiosity—we can further extrapolate that whatever is written there is not entirely clear. A puzzle, perhaps? A clue?”
    â€œMoria’s the only one calls me Jamie, Lock . You’d better remember that!” He stabbed his sister with his eyes. “And not here at school ever again. Got it?”
    â€œEasy, Dexter. I get it.”
    â€œAnother middle name?” Sherlock asked.
    â€œTV show,” I said. “Cultural reference. Serial killer.”
    â€œAh,” Sherlock said. “I love a good mystery. Doesn’t everyone?”
    â€œWhat’s the card say?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s for me, not you. Forget about it.”
    â€œIf it has to do with our family Bible, then it’s for me, too.”
    â€œIt doesn’t.”
    â€œIf I read it, then I’ll know you’re right,” I said.
    â€œIf he knew what it meant,” Sherlock interjected, “he’d be more willing to share it. Your brother is embarrassed because he has no idea.”
    â€œAs if you’d know!” James barked.
    â€œWhy do you suppose I’m perusing a map of the campus, Jamie ? For my entertainment? Do you actually believe I don’t know every building on the campus? There are fourteen total. What’s interesting is that if that note contains a clue to the whereabouts of the Bible, as I believe it must, and if it suggests a campus location or a specific structure, or perhaps an element of one or more structures, then isn’t such a map the first place one should, would, turn to?”
    â€œAs if I’ve had time! And where do you get off acting like you know about my note? You don’t know anything.”
    â€œLet me see it, Jamie,” I said, offering my outstretched hand. “Seriously.” I shook my open palm.
    He was stuck on Sherlock’s meddling comments. “How could you possibly . . . What is it with you?”
    â€œAm I close? Warm? Warmer?” Sherlock was pointing to various buildings on the school map. “Let’s see. What do they have in common? Windows. Floors. Doors. If I were directing you in a kind of scavenger hunt, it would need to be more specific. Chimney? Clock tower? Ivy covered? Something else structural? Contents? There are books in the library and Main House. A lab here and there: language lab, science lab. Also hymnals in the chapel. Music? Marble in the chapel. An organ. A piano in the common room and in the music rooms. This is fun, don’t you think! Give us a clue, won’t you, Jamie Keynes ?”
    â€œShut . . . up!” he hollered.
    â€œIs he right? Has Lock guessed your note? Seriously?”
    â€œHe’s a freak! I don’t get him. I don’t get you!” he said, shouting in Sherlock’s ear. I pulled him back.
    â€œJames! Come on! Back off! What is it?”
    James looked as frightened as Sherlock looked amused. “He’s just . . . It’s just . . . plain weird, is all.”
    â€œBecause I’m painfully close?” Sherlock askedJames. Then to me he declared, “Because I’m painfully close.”
    James stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind.
    I looked over at Sherlock