True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery (14 page)

“The crisis is resolved.” He took off his wet coat and hung it by the stove. He stripped off his jacket and shirt, and stood bare-chested in front of her.

Mary took a towel, “Here.” She ran the towel across his cool damp skin.

“I sent the men to their rooms with orders not to assemble in the dining room until the late bell. We have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves,” Bennett said as he smiled at Mary as she toweled his hair.

“What ever shall we do?” Mary said with a smile as she handed him the towel which he promptly threw to the floor as he pulled her in for a kiss.

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CHAPTER 5

Keiko and Julian Present Day

Julian uploaded the photos from the aerial views of the islands onto the computer, sized them so the clear plastic Mylars would line up correctly, then printed the pictures out. He overlaid the Mylars over each of the three islands. He examined the historical map once again. “Okay, topography won’t have changed as much as say, trees or coastline. So looking at the height of the landmarks and going from there to position the historic map over the current island shapes should lead us to a more accurate measurement of where the treasure would be.”

“I thought about using a metal detector, but all the volcanic rock these mountains are made of will just give false positives, which is why it probably hasn't been found yet,” Keiko said in response as she leaned over to watch Julian work.

Julian ruffled Keiko’s hair, “Look this guy was a professional map maker. Let’s give him some credit. If we line this up and Caño is still looking like the best suspect then we just have to figure out how this map lines up to the island as it is now. He gave us accurate measurements so all we need is this map.”

“And a way to get out there, with a trustworthy captain who won’t turn us in to some nefarious types for a reward.”

“Do you want to pick the captain and the ship or should I?” Julian asked.

“You can. I think you read people better than I can.”

“I’ll pick one I know I can beat in a fight.” Julian joked.

“You could beat them all so where's the challenge?” Keiko said while hugging Julian.

Julian answered. “Yeah, I’ll just ask the concierge who's the best captain to take out a couple of honeymooners to a lone island by themselves. Someone who is known for his privacy. With any luck he’ll think we want privacy for one thing.”

“So bait and switch. Make him think we’re here for some serious canoodling, while we’re just interested in magnetism of the metallic kind.”

Julian hugged Keiko back and brushed away a stray hair while looking intently into her eyes, “Hey, I am here for one reason only. To make you happy. Don't sell your attracting abilities short.”

“Oh,” Keiko said as Julian leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against hers. Julian kissed Keiko.

***

Keiko threw on shorts and shirt over her suit as Julian pulled on his shorts. Keiko, with a happy lightness in her voice said, "I wouldn’t mind doing some canoodling while we are out there.”

“Me either.”

“How do we pack and what do we pack?”

"I think we should bring a metal detector. Makes us look like uninformed honeymooners who have no idea the rocks will set it off, so it’s useless.”

“Great point. Seem dumb.”

“And no threat with no inside knowledge.” Julian added.

“There is a joke in there somewhere.”

“Okay.” Julian picked up a list and read as he looked in his ruck bag, “Shovels, picks, lighter, GPS, satellite phone, batteries, compass rope, camera, and map. Check.”

Keiko picked up her bag, “Water, energy bars, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent, first aid pack. Blanket! Must not forget a blanket if we’re newlyweds!” Keiko said as she checked her bag.

“We are newlyweds.” Julian added wryly.

Keiko went on, “Hairbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, TP, flint, steel, matches.”

Julian opened another case and assembled his gun, then another for Keiko. He took out a knife, and a machete.

Julian handed Keiko her gun. “Here, pack yours at the bottom of your case, but somewhere easy to reach.” Julian tucked his weapon into the waist band of his shorts. He wore a blousy Hawaiian style shirt that hung over his khaki shorts.

“Should we bring some survival stuff just in case? Won’t he question the use of a shovel?”

“For digging latrines and looking for treasure. I was thinking of asking him to take us out there for a three day, two night trip. For my new photography hobby.”

“We’re all set to go on the Mar Estrella.”

“Did you tell him we want to go to Cocos or Caño?”

Cocos first. We’ll have him show us the best places to hunt for treasure. Act like we’re sick of it by the end of the day. Then go to Caño next, because it’s more deserted, a better place for newlyweds who want some privacy. The captain, Jorge Vey, said he typically leaves us overnight with a full set up. Camp stove, tent, food and water, and even an emergency beacon, then comes back to retrieve us on the third day.”

“Sounds perfect. I really think your dad was making way too much of a fuss.”

“He sees a conspiracy behind every situation. He’s right though. There are pirates and drug smugglers up and down the coast so in this case he’s only being cautious.”

***

Paolo sat at the bar under the tiki hut of the Mar Bar watching over the tourist area of the docks, looking for the couple. Luckily, their photo had been easy to find as it was still fresh from the news reports on the missing star. If they had found a lead on any of the treasure buried on the islands, Paolo would find out. He always did. He was good at his work. The treasure belonged to those who’d been looking for it their whole lives. For gringos to come in and think they could steal what was theirs, from right below their noses was not going to happen. You didn’t cross his boss. The treasure, if they found it, would be his boss’s minus a small cut Paolo planned on taking that his boss would never miss.

The weather was nice. A light dry breeze blew in off the water. Most of his duty was spent organizing the ships to pick up the drugs coming in from the Columbian port and directing them to the drop offs in the national parks. This job, keeping on an eye on an American couple, would be a piece of cake compared to some of the loco gang members he watched who took the jobs of delivering the drug shipments. The bartender raised his eyebrows at Paolo and tilted his head towards the cooler.

Paolo ordered, “Bavaria Negra.”

“Fifteen-hundred colones.”

Paolo put two bills on the bar.

“Gracias,” said the bartender while pocketing the money before Paolo changed his mind.

Paolo was getting ready to order his second beer when the couple showed up. A local taxi pulled up. The driver opened the door for a slim tiny woman to get out. The other door popped open and out stepped a tall man, muscled, wearing dark shades. His hair pulled back in a ponytail. The driver opened the trunk and took out several pieces of luggage.

Paolo swore under his breath. All the luggage meant no day trip. They were going for a few days. Now keeping an eye on them meant he’d have to talk to the captain.

The captain of a boat in the fifth slip came down to greet the couple and shook the man’s hand. The lady nodded and smiled, laughing and showing her teeth.

Paolo took the last swig of his beer and got up. He casually strolled past the docks while he noted the name of the vessel.
Mar Estrella
. Sea Star. On these trips it was not unusual for the captains to drop their party to give them privacy, then return to the dock. He would have three or four hours before the captain returned. He’d report back to his boss what he’d found out so far, and get prepared for the next step. Again he thought what a beautiful day for a voyage. He hoped the gringos enjoyed it. If they found what they were looking for, it might be the last beautiful time in their lives.

***

Della and Ray

Ray picked up his buzzing phone and read the text.

“Okay. The kids have booked a boat trip. I got a guy watching the people who are watching the docks. He said there is a known compadre for one of the local gangs hanging in the bar, and he made a phone call and took off just after the kids showed up. They took off on a boat called the Mar Estrella.”

“What islands are they heading to?” Della asked casually.

“Cocos then Caño.”

Julian should be texting me when they arrive. There are kidnappings that happen by the drug cartels of Americans, so it’s just prudent to have someone know where you are.”

“I’ve got Phil, Dent, Irv, and Roger in a sailboat between the islands. They’ll be keeping an eye out for the kids too. Are you ready?”

“For what?”

“A boat trip. Let’s take a cruise ourselves. The weather’s nice.”

“Okay. Good thing I packed my Dramamine.”

“You get sea sick?”

Della shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know. I always take Dramamine before boat trips. I don’t want to find out if I’m the kind of person who does or not.”

“Got an extra patch? It’s been a while for me. I want to make sure I can get off a clear shot if I have to. Julian’s only got one leg left, I’d hate to shoot it out from under him.”

Della groaned. “I don’t think I can take the bad jokes. Not a whole week of them.”

“Did you bring a gun?”

“Three. I traveled light.”

Della pulled a travel bag onto the bed and began packing. “I’m nuts. This trip is nuts. You’re nuts.”

“And the island is nuts. Cocos mean coconuts.” Ray came over and hugged Della. “I’m glad you decided to join the club.” He kissed her, then said, “Caño can mean cane or grey hair, or white hair, from old Spanish.”

“Great, because thinking about everything that can go wrong, I'm getting grey hair.”

Ray looked at Della's sleek chestnut hair and held up one stray. “Actually, yours is a beautiful shade of silver. I wouldn’t let one or two silver hairs steer you clear of all the fun.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Thank you. That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since we got here.”

Della turned around and returned Ray’s hug. “I’m sorry. Thanks for the adventure.”

Ray laughed. “That’s more like it. Let’s go spy on the kids and the bad guys.”

Della laughed, then took a deep breath. “Right.” She picked up one of her guns, slammed in an ammo clip, then checked the safety before tucking it daintily into her purse.

***

Down at the docks, Ray rented a boat without a driver. Della climbed onboard with two canvas bags. She looked like a beautiful movie actress ready for a shoot on the water. She wore a big oversized floppy hat, oversized sunglasses, and a sheer cover up covering a fitted one piece suit.

All the men at the docks had their eyes on Della. She cut a pretty picture. Ray purposely over choked the engine so it didn’t start. After waiting five minutes he tried again. Ray took off from the dock inexpertly almost falling in the water as he cast off with the ropes. One of the captains who’d been watching chuckled and shook his head. They looked like tourists out for a leisurely trip on the water, just the opposite of what they really were.

Once out, Ray hit it full throttle. He called his buddies over the radio and found their location. Ray drove around the island of Cocos and spied three boats. One in the water, one up by the shore, and another on the far side. Della had her binoculars out.

“The one by the shore,” she said.

They could see the people, and none were Keiko or Julian. The empty boat had to be it.

He decided to scope out the far side of the third island. Ray cut the throttle once they were in place then took out his binoculars.

“Do you see a name on it?”

“
Mar Estrella
.”

Ray cut the engine. He went to the cooler and then popped the top on a Coke.

Della took off her cover, and sprayed on some sunscreen. “Can you get my back?”

“Oh, I’ve got your back,” Ray said as he sprayed it on. Della lifted the lid on the cooler and took out a sparkling water. She went to lie on the deck and pretended to read a book, while keeping an eye on the Mar Estrella.

Ray sat back and kicked his feet back, “Boy today would be a perfect fishing day. No fishing within five miles of the islands though.”

Della said, “Take a nap. I can handle the first watch.”

“Great. I think I will.”

***

Two hours later, Della spoke up. “Ray, they’re back.”

Ray stretched before sitting in the captain’s chair. “Ready? We’ll head to the next island ahead of them so it doesn’t look like we’re following.”

Della said, “Sure,” got up, and went to sit beneath the bimini next to Ray on the extra wide seat. Ray started the boat and pushed the throttle forward. He circled around the far side of the island and headed straight for the next one, Caño.