“Language,” Theo said.

“Look at the porch,” Tess said.

On the porch was a sign that said OPEN TUES, SAT, SUN. 2:30–4:30.

“Considering the fact that it’s not Tuesday, Saturday, or Sunday, and it’s not between two thirty and four thirty, I think we made the trip for nothing.”

“To the Land of Kings,” mumbled the robot.

“Your pocket is talking,” Theo said.

Jaime unbuttoned his pocket, and spoke into it. “Kingsland isn’t open.”

“To the Land of Kings!”

“Sorry, little buddy. Not today.”

Theo couldn’t be sure, but the robot sounded just the slightest bit ticked off when it said, “Land. Of. Kings.”

“You can keep saying that, but it’s not going to change the fact that it’s noon on Wednesday,” Jaime said.

Theo’s stomach rumbled. “Speaking of noon, maybe we should have those sandwiches before we go back. Plus it’s hot in these coveralls. I need to sit down.”

They found a bench in the park surrounding the homestead and laid out their food. Sandwiches, apples, and Fig Newtons (of course). As they ate, Jaime read about the house on his phone.

“Built around 1785 by a dude named Charles Doughty. It’s called ‘Kingsland’ because of Doughty’s son-in-law, British sea captain Joseph King, who bought the home in 1801,” he read. “And it’s been moved a few times before ending up here.”

“Land of Kings!” said his pocket.

“Uh-huh,” Jaime said. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

Theo popped a cookie into his mouth, chewed, swallowed. “We could come back on Saturday, though it might be more crowded then.”

“Do you think a lot of people come to some old house in Queens on a Saturday?” Tess said.

“More than there are now,” said Jaime. “It would really be better if we could get in the house when it’s closed.”

“LAND OF KINGS,” the robot insisted.

“I think your robot is cranky,” said Tess.

“It’s not my robot,” Jaime said.

“He likes you,” Theo said.

Jaime stood and brushed the crumbs from his lap. “Let’s just try the door to see if it’s locked.”

“Of course it’s locked.”

Jaime shrugged. “Let’s try anyway. We can look through the windows. Maybe it will prompt the robot to give us another clue.”

They circled the house and stepped up onto the porch. Jaime opened the screen door and tried the knob.

“Locked, like I said.”

“You really love being right,” Jaime said.

“I do,” Theo said. He did. Didn’t everyone?

Jaime cupped his hands around his face and peered into one of the darkened windows.

“See anything?” Tess asked, though she wasn’t even facing the right way. She was scanning the surrounding grounds as if Nine were going to suddenly appear any moment.

“LAND OF KINGS,” the robot squawked.