Beneath the Estate, page 7
“What time period were spring motors used in?” Gary asked.
“Well, Leonardo da Vinci invented the spring motor, and its use would have been in the mid-1400s and all the way up until the very early 1800s.”
“Could this be from the 1400s or 1500s?” asked Jackson, who was now genuinely interested.
“Doubt it. If it were from the 1400s or even the 1500s, it would be extremely brittle and already falling apart. Well, even more than it has already. This was built within the last hundred years or so.”
“How can you tell?” asked Kay.
“The construction uses materials such as bolts to hold the frame together. These types of metal bolts were not available until the beginning of the twentieth century,” he explained. Daniel then aimed his beam of light back at the machine. “This is what I want to show you,” he said, focusing his light at the carved-out sections on the cylinder. “See these sections of the cylinder that were carved out? This was done so that the mechanism inside could be seen. And the way it is carved out on both sides, in the same sweeping artisanal pattern, shows us that a craftsman designed this,” Daniel said as he aimed the flashlight beam inside the cylinder, illuminating the components. All four leaned in to get a better look. “These mechanics are very similar to a timepiece. Say a wristwatch, for example. Very intricate parts that are combined for multiple functions,” he said while motioning under the cylinder. “The spring underneath would have powered these gears, rods, and levers and performed some kind of task.”
“Like a timepiece-type spring?” Gary said as he looked over the machine.
“Yes, but much larger. The spring would have been wound just like a timepiece. Then the components inside would perform their intended functions.”
“You said you were going to try to make it work?” asked Kay.
“Yes. Hang on,” he said, reaching inside the cylinder through a carved section and grabbing a gear with his entire hand.
“Now, I am simply going to turn this gear inside, and we’ll see if it holds up. Go around the other side and see if you can see the interior components, and please know that the gear will more than likely break—but honestly, at this point, it doesn’t really matter. That okay?”
“Sounds fine to me,” said Kay.
Daniel gently grasped the gear with his thumb and index finger. With great care, he began to turn it. A sound issued similar to a turkey call as the motor began to move. All four of them watched as nearly every single component inside the cylinder moved in a wooden ballet of form and function. Some components could be seen rotating, and some moved up and down. Kay’s eyes were wide, and her mouth was slightly open. The turkey call continued as the interior of the cylinder looked very much alive; and then snap! The gear broke, and everything stopped. Natalie, surprised by the sound, gasped.
“It’s okay. I knew that would happen, but did you see the components moving around? Kind of looked like a cuckoo clock of sorts,” Daniel said.
“It looked amazing. Hard to believe this is a motor,” said Kay.
“A cuckoo clock,” said Natalie. Everyone looked at her as she stared at the components of the machine. “I was wondering what this machine reminded me of. My parents collect them. Unfortunately.”
“A cuckoo clock is the best analogy of how the machine’s internal wooden components work. Now, look up here.” He aimed his flashlight at a metal band wrapped around the top.
“If you look closely, you can see this brass band wrapped around at the very top, and there are engraved notches that are measurements of something.”
“Measurements?” Gary asked as he squinted at the metal band at the top, as if that might help him see it better.
“Looks like several hundred notches. I don’t know. Maybe less,” said Daniel.
“Measuring what?” asked Kay.
“Not sure. The entire brass band looks like a ruler that was wrapped around the top of the cylinder. And this is one of the most interesting parts. Here, take a look.” He reached both arms around the cylinder and embraced it, garnering a few strange looks from everyone around him. Daniel then turned the entire cylinder to the right. A few rusty clicks could be heard as he spun it.
“The whole thing turns?” Natalie said in amazement. Daniel stopped turning the cylinder and looked over at Jackson.
“Hey, could you turn the bezel on your watch?” he asked. Jackson looked down at a beam of light that Daniel was shining on his Breitling Navitimer. He gripped the side of the bezel and turned it, causing a smooth ratchet sound. “Thank you. Just like that bezel,” Daniel said as he pointed toward the watch. “This entire cylinder sits on a bezel,” he explained as he shined his flashlight back at the cylinder.
“Is that it?” Jackson asked with a hint of irritation.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s some kind of clock? A measuring device? A motor for a type of late 1800s construction?” suggested Jackson.
“What you needed to see here is that someone constructed this motor, and it was a sight to see. It was functional and aesthetically pleasing. A mixture of mechanical function, artistry, and craftsmanship, which Leonardo da Vinci was known for, and don’t forget this ran on a spring motor that da Vinci invented. I would say this machine is what we would call a study of da Vinci. But at this point, I have no idea what it does,” explained Daniel.
“Is there anything else you have to show us in here?” Jackson asked as he began shuffling toward the opening in the wall. Kay exhaled in frustration in Jackson’s direction.
“I don’t,” replied Daniel. “We can go back outside,” he said, and everyone made their way through the hole and into the Halloween Room.
“Dr. Garrison, what would be the reason that this machine would need to reside in that space?” asked Gary, the last of the group to step through the hole.
“Oh, uh, I don’t know, really. It could be that it was built in that room for a specific function. The motor is on wheels, so it could be that it was wheeled out into this basement for something very specific?” he said in an unsure tone. Daniel removed his glasses and cleaned them, using the cloth of his shirt. “If you intend to keep this machine, you wouldn’t want to move it until you’re sure it’s not meant to function in this space.”
“So, do you think you could get this back to working order so we might be able to figure out what it does?” asked Kay. Daniel put his glasses back on.
“Yes. Seems possible. My father and I built several of da Vinci’s machines for museums, and a few for classroom demonstrations, so I am certain I could do it.”
“We would compensate you,” she said in a pleading tone of voice.
“I’d love to give it a shot,” he shrugged.
Kay turned to Gary. “How many more days would be acceptable to delay without incurring a fee?”
“I don’t know, but it was supposed to take us three days to extract the soil and prepare for the build-out of the room, so I guess two more days is what we could spare, seeing it is mostly completed,” he explained as he reached into his back pocket and removed his phone. Looking at his calendar, he added “Best I can do is we resume work Sunday night. But after that, we’re talking exorbitant delay fees,” he explained.
Kay turned back to Daniel. “Dr. Garrison?”
“Please, call me Daniel.”
“Daniel, could I convince you to stay the next couple of days to try to determine what this machine is and what function it might have performed? You will be our guest at the Biltmore Inn, all food will be delivered to you, and I will provide compensation for your time.”
“Count me in.”
“Excellent,” replied Kay.
“Wait,” said Jackson. “If we’re going to reconstruct a machine from another century, I want to get engineers in here. Not a professor.”
Without missing a beat, Kay interjected. “We don’t have time. It would cost us an incredible amount of money, as we are under the gun with Hatherton, and it seems that Dr. Garrison is qualified,” she said.
“His father is qualified but isn’t available.”
“As I said, we do not have the time. I know that I am unable to make this any clearer,” she said with a hint of authority.
Jackson put his hands in his pockets and looked down at the ground. “As the director of this estate, I wish to remove Dr. Garrison from this project. I’ll take it from here.”
“I’m pulling rank,” said Kay as she stood her ground. Natalie’s eyes widened as if she didn’t expect Kay to go there.
“What?” asked Jackson with an expression of irritation.
“As a board member.”
“As a board member,” he said with a smile. He looked down at the construction mess on the floor. “Fine. I need to speak with you and Paul in the morning.”
“I’ll call you.”
“Conference me in,” he added just before he turned and left. Everyone else was uncomfortably silent as he disappeared. Kay looked at Natalie, who mouthed the word celery.
“My apologies,” said Kay as she looked at Daniel. “Please don’t worry. You are my guest, and we are very glad that you are here.”
“Thank you,” he replied in a tone that sounded unsure.
Kay looked at Natalie. “Is everything taken care of for Dr. Garrison?”
“Yep,” Natalie replied as she looked at Daniel. “Your room key is waiting for you at the front desk. All incidentals are covered, and food is being brought here to the basement.”
“We must run,” Kay stated. “I’ll need to update the board. Daniel? You can hang out here and figure out what materials and supplies you may need, and just call or text Natalie and let her know. Sound good?”
“Yes. Sounds good. Thank you,” he replied.
Kay looked right at him. “No, no. Thank you. Really. It was very nice of you to agree to do this for us,” Kay said as she nodded with an expression of gratitude.
“Wasn’t hard. You had me at all food delivered,” he said with a smile.
CHAPTER 13
Saturday, October 13, 1906
The Biltmore House
George sat at his desk in the library, one of his favorite places in the house. Early-morning tea was served to him with buttered toast while he sat in his plush leather upholstered chair. Wearing gray dress pants and a white shirt buttoned up to the collar, he took a sip of his tea as he looked over a newspaper.
Serving him tea and toast was his trusted butler, Oscar Collins. Oscar was in his midsixties and had the uncanny ability to keep his white hair slicked back into perfectly spaced rows. His tie was always straight, and his clothes were always pressed and spotless. Whenever he and Mr. Vanderbilt were alone in a room together, Mr. Collins would allow his robotic and streamlined manner to relax a bit. The second a door was opened or anyone else entered the room, his speech and movements tightened. For now, the library door was closed.
“President Roosevelt has announced a visit to Panama,” said Collins.
“Goodness. Hope he takes precautions. Is yellow fever or malaria the big concern along the canal?”
“Both, I think.”
“I suppose he’s visiting to boost morale.”
“Well, how was the World Expo?”
“Oh! Well, it was wonderful. Edith and I gave our support to Mr. Diesel, and I found at least nine books in little shops I had either been looking for or I didn’t know existed and brought them back with us. The books are the most important of everything in my luggage, so if you could see to it they make it to my desk.”
“It will be done.”
“Also, I brought back an engineer with me,” he said as he ruffled out his newspaper.
“I heard.”
“You heard?” asked George as he crumpled the newspaper slightly as he looked over the top. “What did you hear?” thinking that his secret might no longer be a secret.
“That a man from Italy made the trip back with you and Edith. He is an engineer, and he has soft olive skin, brown hair that tints red in the sunlight, and the biggest brown eyes you’ve ever seen.”
“What on earth, Collins?” George asked, further crinkling the newspaper.
“The female staff have been talking.”
“Oh. I see. Is that all you know about this man?”
“I think they made a mention that he could use some muscle.”
“Well, that certainly isn’t what I meant. Have you heard the reason why he is here?”
“Only that he is an engineer, sir.”
“Yes. Good,” George replied as he looked around Collins and stared momentarily at the doors to the library. Collins turned and looked at the closed doors.
“Is something wrong, sir?”
George looked back at his plate and took a bite of toast and a sip of his tea. He attempted to set the cup in the saucer without making a sound. The attempt wasn’t successful. He looked up at Collins and uttered two words with a serious tone as he held up his index finger: “A secret.”
“Oh, good.”
“Just between you and me.”
“I’ll see that it stays that way.”
“The young engineer is here to build a birthday present for my Edith.”
“‘Build,’ sir?”
“I tell you, Collins, it is one of the most amazing inventions I have ever seen in my life!” said George as he slightly squirmed in his chair while smiling.
“It is?”
“It is. I can’t wait for you to see it, but we must keep it from everyone. I tell you so that if this young man needs anything, he could confide in you.”
“Understood. Would it be prudent for me to know what this invention is?”
“Well, let’s keep that part a secret as well. It would be fun to see your reaction to it.”
“How long must I wait for the unveiling?”
“Oh. Not till January. The construction will be quite an undertaking.”
“Goodness. Must be some invention.”
George took another bite of toast and a sip of tea. “It was never intended to be built,” he said, subtly wagging his finger.
“How’s that?”
“He is a student at a university. One of his assignments was to display an invention at the World Expo. It was to only exist on paper.”
“Until you came along. I must say you have a knack for bringing things to life, sir.”
“Oh, I don’t know.”
“Sir, I do need to make you aware of a situation developing here amongst the staff.”
“Collins, when is there not a situation developing with the staff?”
“Quite right, sir. The Harvest Festival is on Saturday, November third, and the staff has gone to the festival for the last three years.”
“Okay.”
“In previous years you were traveling, and this year you have scheduled November as being in residence.”
“Correct.”
“Since you have no plans for travel, the staff is already up in arms as to who gets to go to the festival and who stays for dinner service.”
“Oh. I see. Well.…”
“Some staff has agreed to stay as they do not wish to participate in the festival, and—” Collins stopped as George held up his hand.
“Have you been to this festival?”
“I have.”
“What’s it like?”
“Oh, well, there are carnival-type games, people selling chocolate and candy, and attendees seem to enjoy eating from food carts. This goes on into the night, as light bulbs are strung up over the streets, and everyone mills about until the traditional dance takes place at the end of the night.”
“Sounds like fun. Edith and I will attend, so service is unnecessary.”
“Excellent, sir.”
“Now, I have some things to tend to before my meeting with Mr. Andolini this afternoon.”
“Where will the meeting be taking place, sir?”
“Let’s have it in the Billiard Room, please.”
“A fine place for a meeting, sir.”
CHAPTER 14
Present Day
The Biltmore House
After Kay, Natalie, Gary, and Jackson left the basement, Daniel was left alone to survey the machine and decide what he would need in order to be able to bring the machine back to life. He aimed the flashlight at the dilapidated old workbench.
“A proper workbench with a magnifying lamp, light stands, full set of basic tools,” he said to himself as he walked around slowly and brought out his phone. He began searching for a workbench-mounted jigsaw when he heard a female voice behind him.
“Hello?”
He turned his head and saw a silhouetted figure that was walking toward him. The dim light from the flashlight barely illuminated a woman holding a paper bag that had tweed handles. She was dressed in black pants and a white shirt, and her hair was in a bun.
“I’m from the restaurant. I have your order,” Penny Bradlee announced as she walked closer.
“Oh! Thank you.”
“I put the grilled chicken in a separate container so the salad would stay chilled. Your dressing is on the side, and I didn’t see a drink order, so I brought you some sweet tea.”
“Thank you. That’s very nice of you,” Daniel said as he took the bag. Penny looked at the cylinder.
“The restaurant where I work, they all want me to come back with information on what they found down here.”
“Yeah? People are talking about it?”
“Our chef thinks it’s a time machine.”
“Well, tell him it’s made almost entirely out of wood.”
“Oh, I see. What does it do?”
“I don’t know, but it acts as a motor; and, quite honestly,” he said as he gestured toward the machine, “that seems to be it.”
“Did you turn it on, or does it even turn on?”
“I’m going to try to get it back to working order, but there are many strange things about it.”
“May I ask what?” she inquired as she walked around it, keeping her distance.
“I think it was built right here in this room,” he explained as he turned and looked at the old workbench. “Some wood that matches the machine is lying over there on that workbench. Scraps, I guess. And it seems it was supposed to roll out into the basement for something.”
