The Ford Journals 1.9

Episode 9: It’s a Love Affair

Hôtel Balzac, Paris

Hôtel Balzac wasn’t just a hotel. It was the kind of place where kings, poets, and conmen rubbed elbows, where fortunes were made and lost over the clink of crystal glasses. It had a quiet arrogance—an air of exclusivity that whispered rather than shouted.

I checked in under an alias, as usual. A habit more than a necessity, but old habits die hard. Bash, ever the tourist, was already admiring the gold-trimmed moldings and the Rococo decadence.

He let out a low whistle. “You ever pick a bad hotel?”

“Not if I can help it.” I handed my credit card to the concierge, who nodded discreetly. “This one used to be Honoré de Balzac’s private mansion. He wrote La Comédie Humaine here. Fitting, considering our lives are starting to feel like satire.”

Bash plopped onto a velvet armchair. “So where’s the part where we crack the case and ride off into the sunset?”

“That depends on how good you are at improvising,” I said, “We need to find that document, and we’re not exactly walking in through the front door.”

A Different Kind of Break-In

You don’t rob a place like the Bibliothèque nationale with ski masks and lockpicks. That’s for amateurs. The real trick is making them open the doors for you.

We arrived late in the afternoon, dressed like two very important people with very little time to waste. The key was confidence—walk like you belong, talk like you own the place.

“Try not to look like you’re about to steal something,” I muttered as we approached the front desk.

Bash adjusted his glasses. “I am deeply offended. I always look like I’m about to steal something.”

The woman behind the desk gave us a polite but firm smile. “Bonsoir, messieurs. How may I assist you?”

I slid a forged letter onto the counter, embossed with the insignia of a renowned historical society. “Ford Calloway, consultant on 16th-century Maltese archives. My colleague and I are here for an urgent review of restricted documents.”

Her eyes flickered to the letter, then to me. She hesitated.

I leaned in slightly. “I understand the protocol, but our research is time-sensitive. Surely we can make an exception?”

She wavered, then sighed. “I’ll need to confirm with my supervisor.”

Bash gave me a subtle nod. Phase one: complete.

The Vault and the Parisian Secret

Once inside, the archives had that rare-book scent—leather, ink, and time. Towering shelves cast long shadows, dimly lit by antique brass lamps.

I ran my fingers along the index cards until I found what we needed: Fonds 3E - Société Secrète.

“This is it.”

Bash shot me a look. “That easy?”

“Not quite.” The document was stored in Vault 14, which, as expected, was locked with an intricate medieval puzzle mechanism.

Bash groaned. “You just had to pick the one with a cryptographic puzzle.”

Etched into the stone frame was an inscription in Latin—faded but still legible:

Templum veritatis revelat fortissimis.

“The temple of truth reveals itself to the strongest,” I translated.

Bash frowned. “Sounds like a bad motivational quote.”

Beneath it, three rotating stone dials displayed rows of ancient symbols—Templar insignias, alchemical runes, and Maltese crosses.

“The password is a phrase,” I murmured. “Something tied to the Knights of Malta.”

Bash studied the engravings. “Maybe a motto?” He pulled up his phone, scrolling quickly. “The Order of Saint John had a motto—‘Pro Fide et Pro Utilitate Hominum.’”

Time was ticking.

“It would be really nice to put some of that self-proclaimed history ego to work Bash!”

“Okay—okayyy.”

“For Faith and the Service of Mankind,” he murmured. “No. Too long for the dial.”

“Okay, what about ‘Non Nobis Domine’?” Bash suggested.

I turned the dials to match the phrase. Nothing.

I exhaled. “Think older. Something tied to both Malta and France.”

Bash snapped his fingers. “Beauseant.”

I turned to him. “The battle cry of the Knights Templar?”

Bash nodded. “It means ‘a noble banner.’ The Templars used it in battle.”

I hesitated, then rotated the dials. B-E-A-U-S-E-A-N-T.

A soft click echoed in the silent vault. Then, with a slow creak, the iron door swung open.

Bash grinned. “You gotta admit, that was cool.”

The Revelation

The room was cold, lined with ancient wooden shelves. My eyes locked onto a sealed wooden case sitting on the middle shelf, marked Ordre de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem.

I cracked it open, carefully unrolling the aged parchment.

As my eyes scanned the page, I recognized something immediately. It completed the phrase from the document in Malta.

He who follows the path of the Cross...

My heart pounded as I read the final words:

...shall inherit the truth of his bloodline.

Bash exhaled. “Okay. That’s not ominous at all.”

I turned to him. “Look up that crest.”

Bash snapped a photo. We got out of there what felt like, just before something seriously bad was going to happen.

Back At The Hôtel Balzac  

I had Bash run the search on the crest. His face paled—just frozen.

“What is it, Bash?!”

He turned the screen toward me.

“This crest... Ford, this is your family name.”

Silence stretched between us. For once, neither of us had a quip… or at least I thought.

Until Bash just quietly uttered, deadpan.

“I gotta say Ford, I signed up for a treasure discovery, I don’t really do family drama…”

I stared at the parchment. This wasn’t just a relic. It wasn’t just a piece of history. This was me. Ancestors that were related to me. This changed everything.

Then, at the bottom of the parchment, I noticed something faint—a set of coordinates.

Bash leaned over. “That looks like...” He trailed off, then blinked. “Ford. That’s Paris. That’s here.”

I felt my pulse quicken. “We need to find out what’s there.”

Bash let out a shaky breath. “And if it’s not good?”

I handed Bash back his phone. “I don’t know…I don’t know.”

To be continued in Episode 10, the season one finale.

FORD’S HOTEL JOURNAL ENTRY

HOTEL BALZAC ESSENTIALS

• Location: 8th arrondissement, located near the Arc de Triomphe and luxury shopping areas

• Vibe: Discrete, understated luxury. Exudes an intimate and elegant atmosphere, combining modern clean-line design with a warm, inviting ambiance.

• Accommodations: 58 rooms and suites across eight categories, some with views of the Eiffel Tower or private terraces

• Dining: 

  • Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant: A three-Michelin-starred establishment offering modern French fusion cuisine. Reservations are strongly recommended.

  • Lounge Bar: A cozy setting under a glass atrium, perfect for enjoying drinks or light meals and bites

• Rates: Rooms start at approximately $440 USD per night, depending on the season and availability

• Nice to Know: 

  • Reopened in June 2024, and has garnered much attention for its thoughtful redesign and exceptional service.

• Perfect For: Luxury Travelers seeking an authentic Parisian experience that love exceptional service and discretion.

• Awards: 

  • No known awards yet, but the hotel just reopened in June 2024, and has garnered plenty of attention so far for its thoughtful redesign, and exceptional service. (Was nominated for France’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2024 by the World Travel Awards, it was Bulgari Paris Hotel that won.)

• Amenities:

  • Spa Ikoi: Inspired by traditional Japanese methods, the spa offers a range of treatments and massages, complemented by a pool, sauna, and state-of-the-art fitness room

ON THE HORIZON…

OTHER HOTELS FORD WOULD RECOMMEND TO CHECK OUT

If Hotel Balzac is fully booked or you’re seeking a different vibe, here are some alternative boutique and luxury stays in Paris:

Always seeking the extraordinary,