Bob, Russ, and George meet with a Mr. James Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell wishes to hire the gang to retrieve an ancient cross stolen from him some 10 years ago by a Carl Hughes. Caldwell has been looking for the past 10 years for the cross and recently discovered the business location of the elusive Mr. Hughes. Caldwell wants to gang to retrieve the cross and offers the gang $100,000 plus $20,000 in expenses to do so. Needless to say, the gang takes the job.

The gang researches the cross and learns that it was originally owned by the Anglican Church of England, purchased by the Caldwell family around 1800, which moved it to Germany in 1934. The cross came to the United States after World War II and resided with the Caldwell family until it was stolen in 1998.

The name of Hughes’ company is the Makado Computer Group in Frederick, Maryland. The gang goes to Frederick to recon the business. Kiki applies for a job to get a look inside the building. What the gang learns is that the back third of the building is seldom used (at least not by Makado Computers Group).

After a few days of surveillance, the gang decides George, Russ, and Bob will break-in for a detailed look while Kiki keeps watch in the parking lot. Zach and Jay drive around the area on their motorcycles on guard. Once inside the back part of the building, they learn that the “single story building” has a huge basement level. During their search, they discover a letter with Hughes’ address on it. Russ and George trip an alarm and all are forced to retire before the authorities arrive.

The next day, the local Frederick newspapers report a break-in at a government building. This causes the gang to think they are in deep do-do with the Feds…

The address found in the office building is indeed Hughes home in West Virginia. A Google map search shows a “fortified, secluded” country estate. George and Russ decide to do a recon of the house. In their trip, they learn that the perimeter is surrounded by surveillance cameras and vampire guards. With this info, the gang begins to plan the break-in.

Switch to a sidebar. Mary is once again performing a spell to contact her Master through the portal. Mary asks her Master for help gaining the ancient power. Her Master doubts her, accusing her of seeking the power for herself, to use to destroy the Master. Mary convinces her Master that she is loyal and will always be loyal to him (she is lying through her teeth of course). The Master states that he will contemplate her request and return to her later.

To be continued…