Page 70 of The Catcher
Again, it was the same as above.
“Guzinta?”Callie said, her nose screwing up.
“It’s a playful variation of ‘goes into’ and is used in math-based puzzles and riddles. So, for this, what number multiplied by 4 equals 4? It’s 1. So, the solution for the first letter in the coordinates is 4 into 4 = 1 (A=1). Now we have to do it for B, C, D, and E to get the first set of coordinates, then do the same for the remaining letters for the west.”
It didn’t take long. Noah clicked on Waypoints to create a new waypoint with the latest set of coordinates. As soon as they were punched in, he showed Callie.
Callie squinted at the phone. “That’s…”
“The John Brown Farm State Historic Site,” Noah finished.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“I can’t, Thorne. They’ve taken me off the case, and you’re not on shift.”
“Oh, please, when has red tape ever stopped you? You weren’t meant to investigate your brother's murder, but you did. You heard McKenzie. They’re an hour and a half away in Lake George. Porter is trying to track down this kid. What harm is it going to do for us to check this out? It might not even be our perp’s geocache. What’s the name of the person who placed it?”
Noah looked at it.Bluebird.
It had no direct relation to any of the missing, or at least their names weren’t used like they had been before. “All right,” Noah said. “Just give me a second to throw on some clothes.”
23
Noah and Callie stepped out of the Jeep Wrangler, where they were met with a scene straight out of a historical narrative. The farm was nestled in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains, its rustic charm contrasting with the somber atmosphere brought on by the overcast skies and chilly winds.
“Wow, it’s freezing,” Callie said, rubbing her hands together.
“Hence, the reason why no one is here.”
The site was open on Sundays and would often be bustling with tourists and locals alike, but that afternoon, it was deserted.
A hard wind bit at their cheeks.
Before them stood the farmhouse, a humble yet sturdy structure that spoke volumes about John Brown and his family’s simple life during their time there. The weathered wooden planks of the farmhouse and the windows offereda glimpse into the past, hinting at the daily routines and struggles of those who once called this place home.
Adjacent to the farmhouse, they spotted the grave of John Brown, marked by a weather-beaten headstone that stood as a silent tribute to the man who dared to challenge the institution of slavery in America.
Fallen leaves scattered across the ground, adding to the solemnity of the scene.
Further ahead, they noticed the statue of John Brown, a solemn figure standing tall amidst the windswept landscape. The statue captured Brown’s determined expression, serving as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom and equality.
Despite the urgency of the moment, a sense of reverence was in the air as Noah and Callie took in the sight, reflecting on Brown’s profound impact on American history. As they explored, they couldn’t help but feel a connection to the past, to the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before them in the fight against injustice.
Noah and Callie wandered through the farm, their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves as they followed the navigation on his phone. They passed the outbuildings, imagining the hustle and bustle of farm life that once filled these now quiet spaces. The wind carried the faint echoes of the past, whispering tales of resilience.
As they drew nearer to the statue of John Brown, they found themselves drawn to its imposing presence. The figure of Brown, standing tall and resolute, was accompanied by a young boy. Together, they represented a symbol of defiance against the injustices of their time. Brown’sgaze seemed to pierce through the veil of history while the boy’s expression mirrored hope.
Noah began to read from the cache page. “Okay, the description says: ‘Welcome to the John Brown Farm State Historic Site! To unravel the secrets of John Brown’s legacy, you must embark on a journey that combines historical knowledge, riddles, and math-based challenges. Your goal is to uncover the coordinates to the final stage by successfully solving a series of puzzles related to John Brown and his historical significance. At the base of the statue, you’ll find a significant year in John Brown’s life engraved into the stone. This year will be the key to unlocking the first clue.’”
The plaque read: “In this year, John Brown led a historic abolitionist raid.”
“1859,” Callie said.
“That was easy,” Noah replied. He continued to read from the cache page: “I am a number, a year of might when Brown’s brave raid took flight. Divide me by 5, a number you’ll see; that’s the clue to set them free. Take the number of paces south, and there the marker lies, revealing history’s truth under open skies.”
Callie used the calculator on her phone. “So, 1859 divided by 5 is 371.8. But since we can’t have a fraction of a pace, let's round it to 372. That’s the number of paces south.”
Using the compass in the Geocaching app, they began to walk 372 paces south.
