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GARRET PLACED THE tip of the large crowbar between the door and frame above the lock and pushed. With a splintering of wood, the door popped open.
Hugh pushed Garret aside, pulled the door open and shone the bright flashlight into the darkness. Steps led down just as Harper had described. News of his death had reached him two weeks before, shortly before he left the hospital. The damage the car had caused to his body had taken time to heal. Though not completely recovered, he was impatient to explore the catacombs beneath the chapel. He turned to Silas, who waited in the main chamber of the tomb and glanced at the robed men waiting in the graveyard. “Bring them in.”
The men filed into the tomb and Hugh ushered them down the steps. After everyone was inside, Silas ordered Garret to guard the entrance and followed the men down the steps.
Hugh stood at the bottom of the steps and joined his light to the others roaming through the tunnel and over the yellow powder that covered the floor and rose into the air from their movements, just as Harper had said it would. Though he wondered at its purpose, his eagerness to explore the rooms below pushed any concerns he had aside. He slipped a hand inside a pocket in his robe, pulled out a simple white, paper dust mask and placed it over his nose and mouth. His followers copied his actions.
Hugh led them through the yellow powder.
By the time Silas reached the bottom of the steps, the yellow powder, disturbed by those who had gone before, swirled like fog. He glanced at the front of the column and stepped into the swirling dust.
Hugh faltered and reached out a hand to steady himself against the wall. He coughed and fell to his knees.
Those directly behind him, believing Hugh's recent injuries were responsible for his fall, stepped forward to help. Two men grabbed Hugh under the arms, but before they could raise him to his feet, they collapsed to the ground beside him.
Slowly, a wave of collapsing bodies rippled down the column of robed men as one by one they succumbed to the poisonous powder.
Silas saw it coming and immediately knew Harper had tricked them.
The yellow powder was death.
He spun and rushed back along the tunnel and up the steps. Halfway up he staggered and fell. He called out Garret's name, hoarsely.
Garret appeared in the doorway at the top of the stairs and stared down at the fallen man.
“The powder...is...poison,” Silas croaked. “Help...me.”
Garret noticed the yellow powder covering Silas and slowly closed the door.
Silas, helpless to do anything, watched the door seal him in.
He cursed Harper with his last breath.
Garret closed the secret door that formed the back wall of the tomb, repositioned the statue in front and stepped out into the graveyard. He closed and locked the tomb's metal door and slipped the key into his pocket.
He gazed up at the stars peppering the night sky and smiled.
He was the Boss now.
He whistled a happy tune as he strolled towards his newly acquired castle.
THE END