The Heritage Paper

Chapter 20



Lunch would be at The Tavern at the Beekman Arms, located about ten minutes up Route-9, along the Hudson River.

Despite the November chill, Flavia drove her Jeep with top down. Youkelstein, risked pneumonia to ride with his new BFF.

Eddie took Jamie off her hands for another ride in the “cool” cop car—this was turning out way better than Career Day for him. The three cars lined up in a row like a funeral procession. Veronica hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come.

The restaurant was located on the vast grounds of a historic hotel, which displayed a collection of WWI fighter planes that attracted Jamie’s attention. The interior featured overhead beams, an open-hearth fireplace, and an intimate bar.

The hostess provided a scripted speech about the extensive history of the Beekman Arms as she brought them to their table. Veronica thought about playing “top this” with the story of the Hitler autographed Raphael, but didn’t want to rain on her parade.

When the hostess suggested a viewing of planes while they waited for their food, it set Jamie off. “Oh, Mom, can I please go see the airplanes … pretty please.” He folded his hands into praying formation. “Pretty please with sugar on it.”

“Perhaps after we eat.”

“I’m still kinda full from that great breakfast you made this morning.”

“We had cereal for breakfast.”

“Can I pleaaase go see the airplanes.”

Veronica knew the kids needed a break. The tension was starting to rub off on them. Children take their cues from the adults, even if they act like they don’t know them sometimes. But at the same time, the warning signs about impending danger were multiplying. And Flavia’s words were still lodged in her mind.

The same ones who killed Carsten.

“Maybe Uncle Eddie can take you,” she said with a hopeful look in his direction. They weren’t going anywhere alone.

“I think I should stay here,” he said.

She’d hit his most touchy nerve. Eddie wore an eternal chip on his shoulder, always insecure about being good enough. And now she’d reduced him to babysitting duty while the “grownups” figured out how to save the world. She couldn’t believe she did that.

Zach picked up on things. The observer. He volunteered to escort Jamie.

Eddie suddenly changed his tune. Veronica wished he would pick a lane and stay in it, but then he wouldn’t be Eddie. One minute the childlike jokester, the next a raging bull.

“I’ll go,” he grunted.

“It’s not a problem—I need to stretch my legs anyway,” Zach said.

Jamie was on board, but not Maggie. She felt ownership of this Nazi scavenger hunt. She was the leader, no matter how old she was. Ellen had picked her.

But Veronica also knew that behind those old eyes was an unnerved twelve-year-old. Even Harry Potter needed to be twelve once in a while. Since Carsten’s death, it was like she was caught in limbo between childhood and adulthood.

“Mags, why don’t you go play with your brother,” Veronica prodded.

She didn’t budge.

“Mags—I’m talking to you.”

“I need to be here—why don’t you go look at airplanes.”

It wasn’t so much the words, but the jolting tone that almost knocked Veronica off her seat. But before she could respond with words she’d likely regret, Eddie jumped in like the chubby, infantile angel he always defaulted back to. He got up and said, “C’mon, Maggot, I’ll race you.”

“You run like you have a refrigerator on your back, Uncle Eddie.”

He grabbed her and slung her over his shoulder. She fought at first, but then let out a smile. The look on her face was priceless.

Thanks, Eddie … again.

But before they exited, Zach made one last attempt, “Why don’t you stay, Eddie. It’s better that you’re involved in these conversations. Being a cop, you might be able to decipher this mess.”

Eddie’s smile turned to a competitive scowl. “Who’s going to protect the kids … you?”