Free Kingdom Keepers: The Return Book Two: Legacy of Secrets by Ridley Pearson Page A

it difficult to determine her age; she might have been in her late twenties or early sixties. Her dark eyes conveyed a deep-seated warning to Jess, less threat than caution. It was almost as if she were trying to say,
I’ve been there and you do not want to go.
    What it all meant, Jess wasn’t sure. But it colored her moment of triumph—she and Tim were approved to inventory the secret archives!—and left her feeling like a child on her own for the first time, watching her parents turn the lock behind them and wondering about being in the house at night, all alone.

“I ’VE HAD AN IDEA. Follow me.”
    So much as a projection could startle, Finn did. The voice belonged to Wayne, who even as a teenager could be as cryptic as the man he’d turn out to be later in life. And just like that much-vaunted Imagineer, this younger version of Wayne took off before allowing Finn, Maybeck, or Charlene any chance to respond—a “my way or the highway” man, not disposed to democracy.
    The three followed him, Maybeck checking behind for the boys they’d encountered at Roy’s Main Street office.
    “Although, it’s good to be cautious,” Wayne said, leading them through a mercantile shop. It was stocked with toys and items the teens viewed as antiques. The Mickey Mouse stuffed animals looked nothing like the Mickey they knew; the postcards and trinkets they’d seen only on eBay, selling for hundreds of dollars. A few of the T-shirts and sweatshirts were the same as in present time; Disney had come out with a line of “retro” clothing that attempted to duplicate these same relics.
    “Mr. Disney knows me, you see,” Wayne said. He spoke over his shoulder, as if expecting the Keepers to be hanging on his every word—which they were. “I know for a fact he and Mrs. Disney plan to ride the various attractions today, just as they did yesterday. I happen to know their schedule as well,” he added proudly. “They are riding the Mad Tea Party in a few minutes with their children. Mrs. Disney does not like taking her purse on the more active rides.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Maybeck asked, dodging a rack of black-and-white postcards.
    “It means,” said Finn, “that Wayne intends to hold Mrs. Disney’s purse for her.”
    “Because,” said Charlene, “women carry what’s important to them in their purses.”
    “We’re going to pinch Mrs. Disney’s purse?” Maybeck said. “And you think somehow that won’t attract attention?”
    “We’re going to inspect it,” Wayne said. “More specifically, you three are. As you pointed out, I can’t afford to lose my job. And you’ll have to have it back to me before the ride ends.”
    “This should be interesting,” said Charlene.
    Wayne nodded vigorously. “The way you three look, by golly! You’ll have to remain at arm’s length so that you can’t be identified or asked questions. And most of all, be very, very careful.”

“W E NEED TO LOSE ALL CLEAR,” Finn said. “We won’t be able to hold the purse, much less search it, if we’re pure projection.”
    “Well, you’re an idiot!” Maybeck said aggressively.
    “That’s it!” Finn said. “I definitely felt something. More.”
    The three Keepers stood across from the Mad Tea Party. A large crowd had approached, partially surrounding two adults who were instantly recognizable as Walt and Lillian Disney. The two young women with them, both in their early twenties, were clearly either related or close family friends. It was something of a parade, the Disneys walking at a leisurely gait, the trailing crowd keeping pace.
    “You’re an idiot, and I’d slap you if I could!” Maybeck told Finn.
    “My fingers are tingling,” Finn said. It wasn’t only fear that could provoke a loss of pure projection. Anger, frustration, and other negative emotions did the job, too. He turned to Charlene and wrinkled his nose. “Your hair looks stupid and that ugly dress doesn’t really work at