Chapter 18 - The Texas Expedition
Two weeks later, General Vance and Elena flew out of Andrews Air Force Base on a military transport bound for San Antonio, Texas.
They were met on the tarmac by a trusted retired army colonel who had managed local Texas land registries for decades.
"General, it's good to see you on Texas soil; we haven't seen the Vance family name out here in thirty years," the colonel greeted warmly.
"It's good to be here, Colonel; we're looking into some old property deeds left by my grandfather," Vance explained, shaking his hand.
They drove out past the sprawling cattle ranches of West Texas toward an isolated historical homestead near the Hill Country.
The homestead consisted of a weathered limestone ranch house surrounded by ancient oak trees and a dry stone wall.
General Vance used the antique brass key from the archive box to unlock the heavy wooden front door of the old cabin.
Inside, the rooms were coated in a fine layer of dust, perfectly preserved as if time had stopped four decades ago.
Elena walked over to a stone fireplace, noticing a carved military crest mounted on the mantle above the hearth.
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"Dad, look at this crest; it matches the insignia on the vintage padlock from your study cabinet," Elena pointed out.
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