Solomon Key

Chapter 5

The tunnel was pitch black, the confines cramped, but to Maddock it felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket. He loved these sorts of places, free from the distractions of the real world. Perhaps that made him odd, but what of it? It was a quality that allowed him to plumb depths that many would not risk. Countless times he’d seen others turn back or even panic due to claustrophobia or the inability to tolerate the utter lack of light and sound.

Bringing up the rear, he paused to secure a directional marker to their reel line. This was, in fact, their third line. It was a risky proposition, delving this deep, but this was the only passage that hadn’t become impassable after a short distance. Perhaps this one would be a winner.

He clipped the arrow-shaped marker onto the line, then turned to follow Bones and Nomi. He didn’t have to follow far. Up ahead, the two had come to a halt.

Bones turned toward Maddock, shook his head, and drew a finger across his throat. Another dead end.

Maddock raised his palms as if to say, are you sure?

Bones held his hands a few inches apart. Too narrow.

For some reason, this did not sit well with Maddock. Ordinarily, the confines would gradually constrict until a diver could no longer squeeze through. This change seemed sudden. Curious, he swam forward to take a closer look.

The opening up ahead was, in fact, too narrow for any of them to squeeze through. But as he scrutinized it, he realized the way was blocked by fallen chunks of stone. Silt and debris had accumulated in the cracks — enough to give the illusion of solidity. Getting the others’ attention, he shone his light on a spot and gently probed it with his knife, being careful not to stir up too much silt.

Bones nodded in understanding, then pointed at the ceiling and cocked his head. The question was clear. Will we cause a collapse if we try to move it?

This was new. Bones being the cautious one?

Nomi appeared to understand. She pointed at the rocks and nodded.

Maddock now gave the spot a second look. Bones’ caution had caused him to reconsider. Perhaps it was too risky. What if nothing lay beyond except more darkness? He directed his light through the narrow opening and his breath caught in his throat.

Not more than ten meters beyond, a pile of skulls grinned back at him.

They needed no more convincing. Carefully, he and Bones began removing the debris. It wasn’t long before minute particles filled the water, rendering visibility nil. They labored as if working in a blizzard, only able to see a few inches in front of their faces. After three very long, tense minutes, they had cleared enough of a path for the three of them to swim through.

Maddock went last, playing out the last of their line. It was a tight fit. Bones had scarcely squeezed through, and Maddock, though not as massive as his friend, was broad of shoulder. He proceeded with caution, trying not to knock anything loose. As he slipped through, he heard a dull knocking sound, and something grabbed him by the fin.

He looked back to see that a large chunk of rock had fallen, catching the tip of his fin and partially blocking their way out. Nomi could probably squeeze through, but it would have to be moved before he or Bones could pass. Carefully, he worked himself free and rejoined his companions.

Nomi was enthusiastically pointing out various marks on the skeletal bits that lay partially covered in silt. Deep grooves in the rib cage of one skeleton, indicating the victim had been stabbed in the heart. Skulls with gaping holes in the back. Maddock understood the reason for her excitement. These people had been executed, lending credence to the Black Caesar legend she had uncovered.

He looked up above and saw the surface of the water shimmering ten meters above. He pointed up to it. Bones and Nomi nodded and, as one, they swam upward.

Breaking the surface, Maddock saw that they were at the end of a narrow cave. The far end was blocked by a mountain of rubble, but it was what lay in between that caught his eye.

“Gold,” Bones said. “Hell, yes!”

To the left, a pile of gold lay spilled out on the floor amidst the rotting remains of the chest that had once held it. To their right stood a small armory — rusted swords, a couple of flintlock pistols, and a small keg of powder. Next to that stood a crudely built wooden table and a few chairs.

Maddock spat out his regulator and took a tentative breath. The air was stale but breathable.

“This is it,” he said.

“I’m first,” Nomi said.

“Hold on.” Maddock laid a hand on her shoulder. “I understand, but this is a pirate’s den. There might be booby traps.”

“I think you’ve seen too many adventure movies,” Nomi said.

“Trust me.”

“Let me guess,” Bones said. “You want me to check it out.”

“You’re the most expendable…I mean, dependable.”

“Screw you, Maddock.” Bones took a long look around, checking the floor and ceiling. Maddock did the same. There didn’t seem to be anything there that might endanger them.

“I have a feeling that Caesar would only have rigged the entrance,” Maddock said. “Just watch your step.” Patches of sand and fine gravel lay here and there, but the floor was mostly clean and featureless. No signs of trapdoors or steps that might trigger something dangerous.

“Been there, done that.” Bones heaved his bulk out of the water and clambered into the cave. He stripped off his fins, then, dripping water, he made a circuit of the cavern. “Looks clear to me, but enter at your own risk.”

“Good enough.” Nomi climbed out, followed by Maddock. Maddock and Bones removed their fins and air tanks and stowed them in a nearby alcove. Nomi left her gear on, mesmerized by their surroundings.

While Bones knelt over the small treasure pile, taking inventory, Maddock took in the entirety of the cavern. The hollowed out cupboard that would have held food stores. The broken remnants of rum barrels. Shards of crockery. The graffiti-like carvings on the wall. As much as he loved finding treasure, it was the historical aspect that fascinated him the most. He tried to imagine himself a pirate, holed up in this cave. Carousing, singing, planning their next raid.

He began snapping photographs, recording every inch of the site before they disturbed it. He wished his dad could see it. A lump formed in his throat. Even after all these years, there were still moments when he would forget the accident, and a wave of grief would wash over him anew.

“You all right, Maddock?” Bones asked.

“Yep.”

“Cool. Listen, don’t take any photos of the treasure pile until I’ve taken our finder’s fee.”

Shaking his head, Maddock turned away.

“Don’t argue with me, dude. We’ve got more right to this treasure than the government does. Wasn’t one of their agencies that found it.”

“I’m not going to look. Plausible deniability, you know.” If the cave was located on public land, which Maddock suspected it was, considering the direction and distance they had traveled, the law held that all of the treasure belonged to the state. Common practice was for the state to keep all artifacts of historical value, and give the finders a share of any treasure. There was, however, no guarantee. “Just leave enough so it doesn’t look suspicious,” he said.

“I know what I’m doing. A little for us, a little for Nomi. Hey Nomi, do you want some of these jewels, or just some gold?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Nomi said absently. Her attention was focused on whatever lay on the table.

Maddock turned and took a few steps in her direction, but sprang back when a loud crack echoed through the cave.

“What the hell was that?” Bones asked.

“The floor isn’t solid. At least, not everywhere. Watch your step.”

“We’re not all as fat as you, Maddock,” Bones said, returning to bagging gold coins.

“Whatever.” Maddock shone his light on the spot that had nearly given way. A strange pattern caught his eye. The carving was shallow, easy to miss. But he recognized it immediately, and it didn’t belong here. He took out his camera and took photos from several angles, then knelt and brushed away the sand to make sure he hadn’t missed anything.

“I can’t believe this!” Nomi shouted. Maddock turned to see the young woman slam her fist down on the table. The aged, rotting wood splintered beneath the blow. “That’s just wonderful,” she muttered, looking down at the hole she’d punched in its surface.

“What’s going on?” Bones asked.

“It’s ruined.” She held up a leather bound journal. “I finally found Black Caesar’s journal and the pages are stuck together, the ink smeared. It’s a mess.”

“Maybe some of the pages can be salvaged,” Maddock said. “Some labs can…”

“I don’t want to hear about it,” she snapped. “You can’t possibly know how it feels to come this far and…” She looked up, glowered at the ceiling. “Forget it. Perhaps some of these other papers will be of use.” She took out a waterproof bag and stowed the journal and various papers. Next, she double-bagged it, then secured the bundle in a larger dive bag.

“Here’s your gold,” Bone said. “Consolation prize?”

“Thanks.” She tucked the gold into the bag. Head down, she stalked toward the pool through which they’d entered the cave.

“You sure you’re ready to go? Don’t want to look around a little longer?” Maddock asked. He wanted to give the strange carving a closer inspection.

“There’s nothing else here for me. Thank you for your help.”

“Hold on, chick,” Bones said. “Give us a minute.”

Nomi smirked, reached into a pouch at her belt, and pulled out something the size of her fist.

“Sorry, gentlemen, but you’re not coming with me.” She tossed the object on the ground and plunged into the water.

Maddock didn’t get a good look at what she’d dropped, but somehow he knew what it was.

“Grenade!”

He dove for cover as the world around him erupted in fire and smoke.