Chapter Nineteen
Hiding in Plain Sight
Evelyn confidently marched ahead, and her heels clicked against the concrete floor of the passageway. The sisters followed close behind, and after only a few seconds, they heard a whirring noise.
Quickly glancing over their shoulders, they saw that the bookcase, which had previously receded to reveal the passageway, was now sliding back into place. It resumed its original position with a solid thwump, effectively blocking their exit.
The action seemed to symbolize the notion that they had crossed a critical line, a point of no return. Now, they realized, they had no choice but to plunge forward and embrace the adventure.
Evelyn led on, with Maria and Sara close behind. It took their vision a moment to get used to the different setting, for the passageway was rather dim, compared to the brightly lit office they had just left. However, their eyes quickly adjusted, and they were able to see their surroundings quite clearly.
Lights were set into the ceiling, placed at even increments throughout the passageway. They emanated a soft, blue light, which cast the place in a mysterious aura. It was hardly bright, but it was more than enough to safely navigate the strange setting.
“I think it’s time to bring you up to speed on this museum,” Evelyn said. “I’m sure you must have heard something of its modern origins?”
“I think I remember something… I know the museum hasn’t been here all that long, but we were pretty young when it opened,” Sara said.
“Construction of this museum began only seven years ago, and it was opened to the public four years after the project started,” Evelyn clarified. “Officially, the museum’s purpose is to collect historical artifacts from around the globe, placing them on display for the benefit of the public. However, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, there is far more to this place than that which meets the eye.”
As Maria and Sara followed, they realized that they were not just walking forward, but walking down. The floor had a slight pitch to it, angling into a gradual descent.
“It is not by sheer happenstance that the concept of this museum was hatched seven years ago. It was at that time that the Black Hats were formed, and they began scouring the planet for the resources they would need in order to conduct their research and development. They built this place – which appears to be nothing more than a well kept museum to outside observers, a very pillar of the community – to serve as one of their strongholds, a place where some of their greatest assets have been gathered for future use.”
By this time, the sisters had noted that every now and then, a corner would occur in the passageway, forcing them to turn at a ninety-degree angle. These corners always turned to the right. Combined with the mildly sloped floor, this created the impression that they were gradually descending beneath the museum.
“But why use a museum, something that would be available to the public, risking exposure?” Sara asked. “Even if the secrets of the Black Hats are tucked away and well hidden, somebody could always stumble upon them. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use an abandoned warehouse or something?”
“An excellent question,” Evelyn responded. “The answer, you’ll find, is one that is deceptively simple – it is just as I have now chosen to wear my last name, rather than concealing it. It is a matter of hiding in plain sight. The Black Hats are driven by ego and supreme confidence. They cannot comprehend the possibility of failure.”
The three suddenly pulled to a stop, having been startled by an odd sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, all at once. It was like a weird, disembodied grumble, drifting through the air, and the occasional word, like “curses” or “sassafras” could be picked out of the strange lingo.
Tilting her head to listen, Evelyn chuckled. “Not to worry. That’s just Jasper, trying to find his way out of the air ducts. I’d imagine he’s lost his bearings and is quite befuddled by now.”
This concept greatly pleased the sisters, and they joined Evelyn in her laughter. They could also hear the occasional, muted thwump, which they presumed to be Jasper’s broom, thwacking about in the ductwork as he attempted to navigate the tight spaces. The curator resumed her brisk stride, and Sara and Maria fell into step behind her. They continued their journey into the passageway, down, down, down… into the hidden, lower recesses of the museum.
“This site proved to be ideal for these villainous, unscrupulous Black Hats. Using a complicated and impenetrable network of fraudulent shell companies, they orchestrated the construction of this site. All the while, they were building it to the very specifications that they require to conduct their vile business and rampant skullduggery. As for the funding of such an elaborate operation… that part came quite easily, I’m afraid.”
“How did they pull it off?” Sara asked. “Where did they get so much money?”
“Money has not proven to be much of a problem for the Black Hats,” Evelyn said. “Among their members are brilliant computer hackers and master thieves, who relish in extravagant acts of daring. After all… this is a group of geniuses were talking about.”
“Evil geniuses,” Sara added. This, of course, was a point that was obvious, but it never hurt to put it out there.
“Indeed… but you need to understand… that is not the way they necessarily perceive themselves. Most of them truly believe that the mission of the Black Hats is a noble one. Although they may have to harm others to achieve their goals, they think that it is for the greater good. They believe that people who lack their level of intelligence and achievement do not know what’s best for themselves, and so must be kept in the dark and herded about like sheep. They believe that the ends will justify the means… they will do anything… and everything, to achieve their goals, no matter who they must trample along the way.”
Evelyn paused in her stride, coming to a standstill in the hallway. She inhaled with a deepness and a slowness that conveyed a great amount of thought. She released a sigh of equal depth, and an expression of profound sadness and distaste crossed the features of her face.
“And this, young ladies, is a despicable little evil that we call elitism. They are brilliant beyond measure, of that there can be no question. But intelligence does not necessarily equal ethical soundness. Though they might believe in their mission wholeheartedly, this does not mean that we should blindly fall into step behind them.”