TEMPLARS QUEST: LUCEM SANCTAM (THE TEMPLARS QUEST CHRONICLES: A Historical Mystery Book 3) by Thomas H. Ward

the bloody bucket and clean the mop.
    About thirty minutes later, Maggie came back inside, but there was no Pablo. I asked, “What happened to Pablo?”
    “Oh, he tried to escape, so I killed him.”
    Baldwin said, “I didn’t hear any shots.”
    Maggie unsheathed her Barong showing the blood-stained blade. “I don’t need a gun to kill a piece of shit like him.” She gave a smile of self- satisfaction.
    Baldwin and Pete gazed at her wearing a skin-tight black SWAT outfit. She was one sexy woman gladiator, or I should say Amazon Warrior. But she is also deadly as a Black Widow Spider. Pete said, “No wonder you like her on your team, Jack.”  
    Maggie and I think so much alike. She knew I wanted her to kill Pablo. I promised him I wouldn’t and I’m a man of my word. She saved me from having to give the order. It was like she was reading my mind.
    I said, “Good job, Maggie. Here, you need a drink.” I handed her the bottle of JD. She took three big chugs and let out a loud belch.
    I must admit that Maggie is a little blood thirsty. She likes to use the blade because I assume it gives her a feeling of power. She likes to watch the scumbags suffer before they die. I can’t say anything bad about what she does. I’m just glad she’s on my side.
    I’m not sorry that we killed all these dirtbags. It actually made me feel good knowing Adam was safe and some his kidnappers were dead, which gave me closure.  
    It was almost 5 am. I said, “Adam, let’s get some rest. Go out to the truck and bring in our gear and sleeping bags. After that, take the dogs for a walk. They missed you.”
    After a few hours of sleep I woke up, made some coffee, and went outside for a smoke. Adam and Maggie were still asleep so I tried not to make too much noise. I walked over to the pit that the bodies were thrown into. Pablo’s head was sitting on top of a rock, marking the spot. Maggie had a sense of humor alright, even if it is a little sick.
    The Warriors were all awake, including George, who approached me. He said, “They have two cars here, so my men disabled them just in case anyone comes back.”
    “So what’s the plan today?” I asked.
    “We have to do maintenance on the trucks. Change the oil and so forth. That will take most of the day. Also, I want everyone to clean their equipment and weapons. Then we just relax and rest up.”
    “Then tomorrow we can go to Flagstaff and find some ATVs. By the way, we also need rope and climbing gear.”
    “Roger that. Climbing gear is a good idea,” Baldwin said.
    I wondered , would we run into any trouble in Flagstaff?

MAY 28, 2026
FLAGSTAFF
     
    The Templar Warriors and I were up before the break of dawn. I heard the coyotes howling during the night, meaning they had found the bodies. Yesterday the vultures, ravens, and ants were feasting, now it was the coyotes turn.
    As I was drinking a coffee, Baldwin said, “I suggest we burn those bodies.”
    As I lit up a smoke I said, “Yeah, go ahead, but it will stink.”
    “When we’re ready to leave we’ll lit them up using some gas. We checked our gas supply and we need to top off our tanks. Maybe we can find a station in Flagstaff.”
    “I’m sure we can. What time you wanna move out?” I asked.
    “How about 9 am?”
    “That’s fine by me. I’ll pass the word.”
    I took the dogs out the front door for a walk while Maggie and Adam were still asleep. They were sniffing the air and could smell the bloody bodies. I kept them away from the killing pit. You never know, one of those coyotes might have rabies.
    I felt sorry for Adolf and Freda because this trip has been hard on them. Big dogs like these don’t really like riding in a truck all day. But they never complain and just do their job. Dogs are great friends and these are the best of the best.
    After feeding them each an MRE, I made some breakfast for myself. I sliced up a can of Spam, heating it up until it was golden brown, using a small one burner camp stove.