How much is a picture worth?

Preston wolf, Chairman and CEO of Wolf Firearms and Ammunition, has this afternoon been reported missing. The news broadcast had caused a commotion in the wolf family home, but in just a moment mother took control of the situation and commanded that all the children be present in the study in an hour's time. This would not be the first time father would have turned up missing. Ever the adventurer, he traveled extensively and on occasion was known to be off schedule. If there was any urgency at this moment it was the upcoming stockholders meeting. Judging by the several thwarted hostile takeovers of late, it would be crucial for father to attend produce proof that he had controlling power over the company stock. Barring this someone with power of attorney and the same proof concerning the control of the stock would need to appear at the meeting. In a brief time the children began to appear, each with their own input as to what they felt father would or would not be doing. They're concern was for father and for the wolf empire. It was however not father not even grandfather but great-grandfather who established the Wolf Dynasty the control being passed down arriving with Preston Wolf the current CEO who is missing. A few men in suits, some lawyers some supervisors for the factory, all showed up to brainstorm with mother. After a few hours, the children retreated to Father's private den where they came to the conclusion that without producing father they would have to produce the proof father would bring to the stockholders meeting. If the proof were anywhere, it would be in fathers enormous safe. The safe was his brainchild, a pet project for years. They knew what they needed was in the safe, and this caused them all to be concerned over the fact that the safe did not have a combination or a key lock. It could only be opened by a secret cypher. Known only to their father. They would then begin their search of the solution to the father's secret cipher. The hour was late and they held hands and said a prayer in hopes that the morning would bring some kind of clarity. After breakfast, grandma asked all the children to come to the study. She showed them a picture of great grandpa Jackson and his son Marcus, the children agreed they'd seen that photo many times but we're missing the significance. Grandma asked them to go to Preston's study to get the picture of him and his father. When they retrieved it they realize the photos were nearly identical. In each the father posed with his son at his side. The significance of how this answered their dilemma still alluded them. Grandma snickered and said, " Look at Grandpa's pocket", on the one side of his vest he had his thumb in his watch pocket. On the other side, barely visible, was the top of a little black book. Comparing the pictures it became evident that the little black book was present in both pictures. Grandma told them that her Marcus kept everything of value and anything secret in that little black book, she said, " I'm sure he would have passed that habit along to your father, as obviously his father had passed it along to him." Now they knew they were looking for the little black book and after some searching and further discussion they realized the book would likely be in Father's study at the plant this then made the trip to the plant mandatory. As they were getting organized to leave, Samantha noticed an ever growing crowd of men in suits and reporters in front of the house. She decided to divide and conquer. She asked Mr. Keith to bring the car around to the side of the Mansion and told Cameron to do his best to distract The horde in front of the house, "Maybe get them to follow you," she said heading for the limousine with Toby. Cameron gave her a military salute as a farewell and was off. It was only a short while but it seemed like much more when the sound of Cameron's sidecar motorcycle came barreling through the yard. There was a faction that took notice and I guess you'd call it " Hot pursuit", when they followed Cameron out of the yard. This then would be the signal and Mr. Keith took the limo out the Westgate unnoticed. They would meet up again at the factory after Cameron lost his pursuers. Their process may have seemed a little dramatic and somewhat covert but they had in the past experienced situations where even the household staff had been infiltrated by corporate spies looking to take over the wolf family empire. Samantha informed Mr. Keith that the game was a foot. "I should do my 007 best madam", he said with a grin as they headed toward the Wolf ammunition and firearms factory. Cameron however was taking the scenic route through a vineyard and then a large field and finally back onto a country road where in the faint distance he could see headlights behind him, but no one could keep pace with his breakneck speed. After some fancy maneuvering he was able to meet up with Toby and Samantha at the entrance to Father's office, once there they could see the guard speaking on the phone to someone and looking rather frantic. The trio deduce that he must be working for the enemy. They had to get by him without causing him to push the panic button. They were brainstorming what to do when Mr. Keith said, "How about I enter first walking directly past the guard station causing him to pursue me? Meanwhile you three turn left and head to your Father's office." The plan seem sound enough so they put it into action. Mr. Keith walked into the building and as he approached the guard station, put his nose in the air and quickened his pace. The guard asked him to stop but he did not and as the guard pursued him Samantha Toby and Cameron and Rupert secretively scrambled to the left of the guard station, down the hall to their Father's office. Once there they started to search immediately for the little black book. After two and a half hours of searching they had accomplished little more than turning the office inside out, no black book. "Where did you hide the book?", Toby yelled at the picture of his father a above the desk. They had all seen the picture, it had been the focus of their interests, but what they failed to notice was that this was not a photograph. This picture was a painting and the artist had put an actual pocket in the vest pocket. Toby pushed his father's large office chair closer to the wall climbed on it to inspect the picture and in seconds he'd retrieved the actual black book!, "You guys looking for this?", Toby said holding the black book out. Cameron and Samantha began cheering, Rupert began barking, they were all relieved. Now they had to turn their attentions to actually putting the book to some use. But before they did, they noticed a flash! First it went by the office window, then it was almost right in their face! Someone was in the hallway with a flashlight, maybe two flashlights, maybe two somebody's and again maybe it was just the guard at the front desk. It was decided that Toby would sneak out and take a look, so Toby crawled out carefully and was right back in a matter of seconds. He said, " The guard is at his desk but he's tied up and a gagged with duct tape!". " Okay let's not panic.", Samantha said, " I guess we can deduce there someone else in the building we'd better be careful and beat it out of here." They were hurrying quietly down the corridor when a deep commanding voice hollered "Stop!". Cameron kept right on running and out the exit door with Samantha and Toby trying very hard to keep up. Behind them Samantha made it to the door and was yelling back at Toby who is yelling back at Rupert who was barking at the pursuing unknown enemy. Samantha prodded Toby incessantly to come to the car which he eventually did reluctantly without Rupert. " I've got to go back and get Rupert", he said to Samantha "There's no time, Rupert is smart he'll just hide out until we return. We've got to get home. We can't leave Cameron to complete this journey alone. "on Samantha's insistence Mr Keith drove as rapidly as the road conditions would allow back at the mansion Toby was distraught and very concerned about Rupert they were headed towards the front door when all at once they could hear the rumble and rattle of Cameron's motorcycle they were so glad to see that he was safe and approaching but the best surprise was in his sidecar sat the ever grinning and barking Rupert Cameron had doubled back to try and lose his pursuers and noticed Rupert all alone and with just a few prods got him to jump into the passenger seat of the sidecar and off they went. Toby and Rupert had a joyous reunion while Cameron and Samantha hurried to Father's enormous safe in his private study. It wasn't easy, it took the better part of an hour and some intense brainstorming between Samantha and Cameron eventually they heard the bolt slide and the tumblers turn and the door opened they were all celebrating and laughing as it did and the exuberant celebration was interrupted by applause as the doors open to reveal their father Preston Amery Wolf and his world famous lawyer Eustis Pierce. They were applauding in the children's successful conclusion to the emergency at hand. Their father stood, hugged each one congratulating them and telling them what they had done could not have been any more perfect. They had saved the day for the company they had saved face for the family and because father had challenged three other competitors to solve this exact problem he had offered up a bounty and that was now the children's! The celebration was epic, it lasted the rest of the night and even the next day the children were still feeling their father's affectionate regard which was a rare trophy for all of them.