The Grandest Game, #1
The Grandest Game
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 52: GIGI
Overview
Gigi, Brady, and Knox enter a sealed library challenge and discover a hidden mechanism that reveals a dollhouse, moving their part of the game into a new phase. More importantly, Brady reveals the source of his rupture with Knox: Calla Thorp's disappearance, Orion Thorp's involvement, and Knox's later decision to accept Orion's help in the previous Grandest Game.
The chapter reframes Knox's ambition and danger by tying him to Calla's powerful family, while deepening Gigi's connection to Brady through his grief and honesty. The revelation that Knox's sponsor may be linked to Calla's abduction raises the stakes around trust, betrayal, and the unknown threat on the island.
Summary
Gigi, Brady, and Knox leave the metal chamber by climbing a narrow staircase whose steps light beneath Gigi's feet. At the top, they find a door marked HERE THERE BE DRAGONS, prompting Gigi to think of the unknown person on the island who used the wetsuit, brought a knife, and planted a listening device. She enters anyway, aware that the outsider might still be listening.
The door opens into a circular library. After the door closes behind them, a curved bookshelf descends and seals the exit, trapping the three players inside. With no instructions, Brady suggests escape-room logic: search for clues. Knox directs them to search the shelves rather than the books, but Gigi mixes investigation with observation, teasing Knox over his nickname for her and noticing the tension between Brady and Knox.
While searching beside Brady, Gigi becomes increasingly aware of her attraction to him and presses him quietly about his combat and balance training. Brady reveals that, after he and Knox were attacked as children, a former black-ops survivalist named Severin rescued them and spent the next decade training them to survive and stop threats. Brady also explains that Calla, Severin's great-niece, trained with them and was unmatched with a longbow.
Gigi asks what happened to Calla, and Brady reveals that Calla was abducted at seventeen after her family discovered her relationship with Knox, her connection to Severin, and the bayou training. Brady identifies Calla as Calla Thorp, daughter of Orion Thorp, Knox's current sponsor. Brady believes Calla's family either still has her or caused her death.
Brady then explains why he and Knox are estranged: during the previous Grandest Game, Knox and Brady were leading until they missed a required ride. Orion Thorp offered Knox transportation, and Knox accepted, effectively selling Brady out for a private jet and later placing second. Knox then finds a hidden ornate magnifying glass built into a wooden panel; when he pulls it free, the floor transforms and raises a dollhouse into the room. Gigi is left thinking that Knox never denied Orion Thorp still sponsors him.
Who Appears
- GigiLeads into the library, probes Brady’s past, and weighs Knox’s connection to Orion Thorp.
- BradyReveals his training with Severin, Calla’s disappearance, and Knox’s betrayal in the prior game.
- KnoxSearches efficiently, finds the hidden magnifying glass, and remains tied to Orion Thorp.
- Calla ThorpAbsent but central; Severin’s great-niece, Knox’s former partner, abducted by her powerful family.
- Orion ThorpAbsent sponsor of Knox and Calla’s father, implicated in Calla’s disappearance and Knox’s betrayal.
- SeverinAbsent former black-ops survivalist who trained Brady, Knox, and Calla after rescuing the boys.