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into the mystery of the key Rales had given him, which was what prompted him to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour. But other than the phrase key to the kingdom , he had found no other connection to the key he now possessed. In retrospect, thinking he could find answers on the tour and been foolhardy. However, Kiran’s beauty was a pleasant bonus if not a distraction to Hawk as he tried to sort out some of the things rolling around his noggin.
    “Notice how Walt and his alter ego, Mickey Mouse, look down Main Street,” Kiran was saying as Hawk’s attention reconnected with the tour.
    They were standing in front of the Partners statue situated in Central Plaza near Cinderella Castle. The statue featured a life-sized version of Walt Disney holding hands with Mickey. Disney’s right hand was extended as if sharing with Mickey a vision of what the future could hold. It was a powerful visual image of the man whose dreams had changed the world.
    “Some people look at Partners and think that Walt is sharing his latest dream with Mickey. Others think he is pointing out some of the intricatedetails of something they are looking at.” Kiran gazed up admiringly at the two figures. “Whatever they are talking about, this has become one of the most photographed places in the Magic Kingdom. If you would like I will give you a moment to take a few pictures.”
    She stepped back out of the way as some of the group gathered their parties for a photograph. Kiran helped some of the guests take their pictures by acting as their photographer. After handing a camera back to its owner she stepped backward, her heel digging into Hawk’s foot.
    “Oh, I am so sorry, Mr. Hawkes,” she apologized as she quickly turned toward him.
    “No damage done,” he reassured her as a twinge of pain danced across his foot.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Positive,” he confirmed.
    “Then let’s keep moving.” She smiled and moved away to herd up the group.
    As she moved away, the pain subsided and Hawk caught a whiff of a pleasant scent. She not only looked good, she also smelled good, and she knew a truckload about Disney World. She was practically perfect, but what else would one expect inside the Magic Kingdom?

C HAPTER S EVEN
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Day Three
Noon
     
    T HE K EYS TO THE K INGDOM TOUR included lunch, and the group made their way to the Columbia Harbour House to eat. Nestled between the edge of Fantasyland and Liberty Square, it offered a variety of choices at reasonable theme park prices. Hawk allowed most of their party to order before him. By the time he carried his tray toward the upstairs dining area where they were eating, most of the others were heavily involved in consuming their meals. He found a table adjacent to the clump of tables their tour group had settled in. He loaded his soft drink with a straw and took a slug, unfolded a napkin, and prepared to eat.
    “Mind if I join you?” Kiran stood next to him holding her own lunch tray.
    “No, not at—” Hawk answered before completely swallowing and nearly strangled on his soft drink.
    “Thanks,” she bubbled as she slid into the chair across from him. Setting her tray on the table, she fixed her gaze on him as if calculating what she was going to say next. “All right, Mr. Hawkes, I want to know why you are on this tour. I have a gnawing feeling that you already know most of the things I am saying.”
    “Well . . . uh, I always wanted to take the tour and finally decided to do it.” There was a bit of truth in the statement. He had thought about taking the tour in the past. “I also heard the tour guides were excellent.” Hawk meant the remark to sound complimentary and smooth, but it landed with a silly, dorky thud on their lunch trays. If Kiran noticed she didn’t show it.
    “You were a last-minute addition to our group. As a matter of fact the tour was already overbooked. We were thinking about dividing it into two separate tours. Our reservation specialist gave you a slot