The Key To the Kingdom by Jeff Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

how he would touch the world . Rales had given Hawk the key. If you will take this and do the same thing Walt did when he left this place . . . your imagination . . . your ability to understand a story . . . and how you touch the world . . . even your life will never be the same. And the stories you communicate will become timeless .
    Hawk was grasping for something that made sense and this was as close as anything he had come up with. In trying to help guide him in understanding the key to the kingdom, Rales had said to do what Walt had done. Walt went back to the studio and sat behind his desk. It was there that his imagination would spring to life, he would better understand a story, and how he would touch the world. Hawk could go to the Disney Studios and at least look at Walt’s desk. He had been certain that the key Rales had given him was just a sentimental gift from a friend. But now there was a relentless sense that there had to be a deeper meaning to the key. Now that Rales was unavailable to ask, he didn’t know what else to try.
    “Hawk, I must say that you have made my tour much more enjoyable.” Kiran was now facing him. “I still don’t think you learned anything new, but I hope you had a good time.”
    “I had a great time, thank you,” Hawk graciously responded. “Were you serious about wanting to come to church?” He would like the chance to see Kiran again, but most people who said they were going to visit a church just said it to be pleasant and make conversation.
    “Of course I was serious. Are you inviting me?” Kiran was looking at him curiously.
    “I am indeed. I know the preacher, and he’s a little boring, but if you can overlook him you might like it.” Hawk was in a very unfamiliar place as hetried to blend inviting someone to church with a feeble attempt to flirt. If it was awkward, Kiran didn’t seem to notice.
    “Just tell me where and when. I’ll try my best to get there.”
    Hawk gave her his business card, which had a map to the church printed on the back. Making sure she knew what time the services started, he shook her hand and they said their good-byes. As she was leaving, Hawk called out to her.
    “You know about all things Disney, right?”
    Spinning, she turned back toward him and tilted her head. “Sure I do.”
    “What time does the Disney Studios close tonight?”
    “It closes at 7:00. Is that your next stop?” She grinned.
    “Maybe.”
    “Have fun!”
    “One more thing,” Hawk remembered. “You forgot to tell us about the name Kepple.”
    “No, I didn’t forget. I just didn’t tell you.” Kiran tossed her hair and moved off down Main Street.
    Hawk watched as she walked away, then glanced down at his watch. It was two thirty. He considered jumping on Disney transportation and riding over to the Studios to take a look at Walt’s office. Lost in thought, he moved back through the tunnel below the train station. As he walked through the exit of the Magic Kingdom he decided to postpone his jaunt to the Studios because he had a sermon to complete if he was going to preach it tomorrow.
    As Grayson Hawkes strode back across the redbrick walkway toward the Contemporary Resort, the footsteps of the person who followed him were lost in the background noise of the other people bustling around him.
    His stalker, whose eyes had taken in his every movement since he arrived back in the Town Square, paused and watched as the preacher moved toward his car and got in to drive away.

C HAPTER E IGHT
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Day Four
Morning
     
    T HE FOLLOWING MORNING the parking lot of Celebration Community Church bulged under the crush of cars crammed into the available parking spaces. Parking was a problem during services and today was no exception. Jonathan led the stage band in opening the worship service. The vocal team that led the singing took the congregation through a blend of traditional hymns that had been given new tunes, some contemporary praise songs, and some original