Chapter 72 The Allen Estate

*Diana*

I had warned Minerva Allen. Once she pledged to serve me, all her plans to serve herself should have been disregarded. Unfortunately, I saw her thoughts and how she and Andrew were conniving to kill the High Lord Wolf so she could take his place. She was armed with knowledge and evidence of foul play of each member of the Council of Wolves which she had meticulously investigated and gathered through her years as an Elder.

Jonathan, who had military experience, with the help of her secretary, aided the former Elder in collecting all the data she needed. All the evidence was in her vault inside the Hamptons Allen estate. While the High Lord Wolf was busy with Minerva Allen and Andrew, I asked the four reliable men in our group to huddle up.

"Dad, Minerva Allen has evidence against all the members of the Council of Wolves tucked inside her vault in her Hamptons estate," I whispered to them. "All that evidence is our ticket in manipulating the Council."

"What kind of vault is it?" Uncle Mike asked. "Does it need a security code?"

"No. There's a key up in her room. She usually wears it as a necklace pendant, but because of the fitting, she left it her room. It should be inside a book on the night stand. By the way, get her purse. She has her house keys in it," I instructed. Uncle Mike nodded his head and left to get the necklace, taking Colt with him.

"Are their any security codes we need to bypass, Diana?" My dad asked. I paused and asked Onyx.

"No, Onyx says it's an old home without the digital age upgrades. All you need is to figure out which key goes where. The biggest key is for the gate. Jonathan had one on him, but we left him back at you know where," I said. "Dad, Jonathan has a journal tucked underneath his bed. It has answers regarding his involvement with Andrew. I know he was the younger brother of your Gamma. When Jonathan was still part of the Lotus Pack, he followed a certain set of principles just like his brother, but when he went rogue, he disregarded those principles."

"Okay, I'll get that journal and check whatever is in his room," my dad said.

"So, what alibi can we tell the High Lord Wolf?" Alpha Connor asked.

"That's easy. We can tell him we need to buy shoes," Ethan said.

"You think he'll buy it?" Alpha Connor asked.

"Uhm, I don't think you would want to wear your scruffy boots with a tux." Ethan pointed at Alpha Connor's shoes. We all looked down to see what Ethan meant and we all laughed. Alpha Connor's boots was really worn down.

"Dad, aside from dress shoes please buy Alpha Connor and Matt some boots. Including his men. Just get their shoe sizes," I said through mind link. He smiled and winked at me.

"All the men will be coming with us. It will be more convincing if we tell the High Lord Wolf we all need to shop. It will just be you ladies here. Just keep the High Lord Wolf busy until we get back," he mind linked me back. Suddenly, a voice behind us interrupted us.

"I couldn't help, but overhear. You plan to go to the Hamptons Allen estate?" Otis asked. "It is just near here. I have written down her address for you." He handed Alpha Connor a small sheet of paper. "Hurry, before the Wolf Troops arrive at her home." Otis was a good wolf. He was one of those rare wolves who wanted to fix the system and provide good service to the wolves. Unfortunately, the High Lord Wolf assigned him here when he should be at the Council serving as a small voice of reason.

Alpha Connor took a look at the address and gestured to his Beta. Matt took the piece of paper and started clicking on his smartphone for the location. He then handed his phone to Alpha Connor. Alpha Connor took a look and smiled. "Yep, it's just around the corner. And there's a men's boutique near it. We can kill two birds with one stone."

Uncle Mike came back inside the dining room and nodded his head at us. He had found what they needed.

"Let's go. No need to tell the High Lord Wolf that we have left. Since Diana is here, he won't mind if we leave," my dad said. "Alpha Connor, Alpha Ethan, round up your men." They nodded their heads and gestured to their Betas. Colt looked relieved he didn't have to tend to the Elder anymore.

"I'll be back, my love." Ethan kisses me on the cheek.

"Listen to the whisper," I instructed the men. "Onyx will guide you." They all nodded their heads at me and left. I turned around to face Otis.

"Otis, sit here with me and tell me more about yourself."

___________________

*Lucas*

Unlike the Wolf Mansion which was beach side property, the Allen estate was located away from the beach near homes which were relatively modest. Although it was near the affluent mansions and wealthy communities, the Allen estate could not be considered rich, judging by its run down condition.

It was quite the opposite of what we encountered at the Rhode Island mansion. I assumed once upon a time, the Allen's were wealthy. Their home was a large Victorian mansion and probably saw better days. When we stopped infront of the steel gates of the Allen estate, we were surprised the Elder lived there.

"I'm surprised the city hasn't deemed this as foreclosed property," Michael said. "But if this would ever to go on the market, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. All it needs is some sprucing up and this place would be beautiful."

"I wonder why Jonathan didn't clean this place up," Ethan said.

"He was too busy kidnapping humans," Michael answered. "I'm going to open the gates. I'll meet you guys at the mansion." He takes the big key for the gate from the key ring and hands me the rest of the keys.

We drove through the snowy path and stopped at the front steps of the mansion. There was a fountain in the middle of the driveway which was dark and dirty from non-use. The front door was dark blue in color that had chips in the the paint. Two large panels of stained glass were at each side of the large blue door.

Ethan, Alpha Connor, Colt, Matt and I got out of cars. Alpha Connor told the rest of the men to stay in the cars and keep an eye out. If they see something, honk once to alert us.

I looked down at the keys in my hand to figure out which key would open the door. I noticed some letters on each key which was fading because of time. I saw one key that had some letters that spelled 'front door'. I took that key and placed it inside the lock and thankfully it unlocked the door lock. We all walked inside and waited for Michael to walk in.

"It's freezing cold in here," Colt said.

"I guess the old hag didn't employ the use of heaters. She probably just used the fireplace," Alpha Connor said, pointing at the fireplace.

"I think so too. I saw the stacks of wood beside the house," I said.

"Boy, was that a long walk. Wow. It's even colder in here," Michael said, finally joining us.

"Okay. We don't have much time." I handed Michael the keys. "Michael, look for Minerva Allen's vault. If it isn't inside her office, it must be in her room. I'm going to find Jonathan's room. Diana says there's a journal inside his room. Alpha Connor, Matt, and Colt, you go with Michael. Ethan, you're with me." We split up. I saw Michael open a door that was situated near the parlor to see if it was the study. I followed a hallway that was on the left of the staircase. If Jonathan had a room, it would be here downstairs.

"Last door," said a faint voice. I walked to the door at the end of the hallway and tested the doorknob if it was locked. The door opened.

The room was very neat with minimal furniture. It had a bed with a vintage dresser at one side. On the other was a small wooden nightstand with a clock and an old lamp. Fronting the bed, was a big wardrobe.

"Ethan, check the wardrobe, see what Jonathan left behind," I instructed.

"Sure," he said. He opened the wardrobe and began his search. I was surprised to see it full of clothes, neatly hung or folded.

I lifted the mattress of the bed and I found a small leatherbound journal. It was near the edge of one side of the bed. Jonathan must have slept on this particular side. I opened it and found pictures, letters and some money inserted in some pages. I closed the journal, folded it and placed it inside my coat pocket for safekeeping.

"I found money, some elixir and jewelry," Ethan said. "And he has a thing for expensive shoes." I glanced at Ethan and saw him holding a dress shoe.

"Look for a bag and take everything you can find of value. If you see any documents or papers, take them too," I told him. He reached up, took a leather bag which was stowed away on the top shelf and began to place the items in the bag.

I opened all the drawers of the dresser one by one, looking through the clothing inside them. At the bottom drawer, I found a smartphone. It looked new. I swiped it and found it needed a code to unlock.

"Here, take this," I handed the phone to Ethan. He placed it inside the bag with the other items. I opened the drawer of the nightstand and found a watch. I handed that over to Ethan too.

We were about to leave the room when I heard the whisper again.

"Check behind the medicine cabinet of the bathroom."

Damn, I forgot to check the bathroom. I hurriedly walked into the bathroom and turned on the lights. The medicine cabinet of the bathroom was located at the side of the vanity. I opened it. The usual toiletries were inside. However, behind the toothpaste was a button. I pushed it. The whole medicine cabinet swung away from the wall to reveal a huge hole in the wall.

Inside it were photographs. Photographs of my father and Chase with individuals I have never seen before although there was one particular individual in most of the photographs.

"One," the whisper said.

___________________

*Michael*

We searched through Minerva Allen's office and found nothing. The vault wasn't here although we did find her laptop. We took that and proceeded upstairs to the rooms.

"First door," the whisper said. Diana did say to listen to the whisper. I tried the doorknob, it was locked. I looked down at the keys in my hands and decided to put in each key one by one until the door opened.

"Fourth key." There it was again. Thank you. You have made my job so much easier. I placed the fourth key inside the keyhole and opened the door.

The room and the house was well-kept even if the outside looked like it was haunted. Next to the door was a four poster bed which had many pillows. A small desk was at a corner near the huge windows, while on the wall fronting the bed was a sofa. A huge wardrobe was beside the sofa next to the bathroom door. On the wall on the right side of the bed was a huge painting of Minerva Allen made probably when she first became Elder. She already had grey in her hair but was still in her prime. I know it's cliche, but usually vaults are behind a painting or a mirror of sorts.

Alpha Connor had the same thoughts. He tried to take down the painting from the wall. It didn't budge. It was apparently stuck to the wall.

"Colt, Matt, check Minerva Allen's wardrobe for anything of value," I said, "while we see what's behind this painting."

Alpha Connor stood in front of the painting, scrutinizing it. His face was practically touching it. We both stared at the painting and the wall around it, hoping to find a switch or a hint to get to the vault if there was one behind it.

"I think I found it," Alpha Connor suddenly said and pressed a small button concealed at the bottom right corner of the painting. The painting swung to the side revealing Minerva Allen's big vault.

"Look at that thing. It's huge," I said. I was expecting something small, like a personal safe. This one looked like it had gold in it. I took the key from my pocket, placed it inside the keyhole and unlocked the vault. I then pressed the handle of the vault downward to open it. Inside were several bars of gold, diamonds, jewelry and a leather briefcase.

"The old hag wasn't poor after all. She just didn't want to spend her gold and diamonds. Should we take it?" Alpha Connor asked. I was also unsure until Lucas spoke from the doorway.

"Take all of it. We can either donate it or use it as currency. There are wolves out there who still deal in gold. Anyway, if the Council finds it, there's no knowing where it will land. Here, we got this carry-on from Jonathan's room." Lucas placed a black carry-on on the floor and unzipped it.

"What did you guys find?" I eyed Ethan's leather bag.

"Money, elixir, photograph, a phone and some documents," Ethan said.

"Let's check the briefcase. Matt, Colt, pile up the bricks and the gems in the carry-on," Alpha Connor instructed the two.

"I'll help you guys," Ethan said to Matt and Colt, putting down the bag he was carrying.

"Looks like it has a number combination lock. Any suggestions or should we try and drill a hole through it?" Alpha Connor asked.

"The needed documents are inside. Make haste. People are on their way." The whisper was faint, but all of us definitely heard it.

"Time to go boys. We'll open this later," Alpha Connor said, taking the handle of the briefcase. "Put everything back to its original position. Switch of all the lights and lock all the doors." Colt zipped the carry-on up. I closed the vault, took the key and placed the painting back in its original position. Colt carried the carry-on out of the room while Ethan picked up the leather bag he left on the floor.

We all exited the room. I switched off the lights and locked the door behind me. We ran down the stairs and exited the mansion. I made sure I locked the front door before closing it.

We drove towards the steel gates and I jumped out of the car and opened the gates for the cars to pass through. I then exited the estate, closed the gates behind me and made sure the gate was locked before I jumped back into the car.

"Drive Lucas."

We sped off putting some distance between us and the mansion. It began to snow. I hoped the fresh blanket of snow would hide our tire tracks

"Let's do some shopping so we can wait and see who opens those gates," Lucas said as he pulled over infront of a boutique. "Plus, I promised Diana I would buy everyone a pair of shoes. Except for you, Ethan."

"Awwww....not even as a wedding present?" Ethan asked.

I laughed. Ethan could afford to buy his own shoes anyway.