Treasure of the Dead

Chapter 26

Safely back aboard the Sea Foam, still at anchor in the natural harbor, Maddock, Bones and Willis sat on deck, each with a cold bottle of the boat’s stash of Dos Equis in their hands. After a few laughs over Bones’ encounter with the gigantic tarantula, as well as a recapping of their conversation with the old local, talk turned to next steps. They were still no closer to finding the treasure, and it worried Maddock that he could see the frustration settling in deeper in both Willis and Bones. Especially Bones.

Yet the fact was that Maddock didn’t think Tortuga was a likely spot to find the sailing ship’s riches. “According to the journal, the crazy sailor drifted along, floating with the current for about eighteen hours.” Maddock put a finger on a marine chart spread out on a folding table, held in place against the breeze with seashells on the corners. “Considering the prevailing wind and current patterns in the region at that time of year, he'd have been carried west-northwest, which would make it virtually impossible to end up on Tortuga instead of being carried ashore somewhere on the Haitian coast.”

Bones and Willis agreed with this after a brief discussion of the finer details pertaining to the local currents. When they had finished this digression, Maddock looked up from the chart.

“Besides the probabilities we have based on current and wind patterns, we know the sailor was most likely captured on the south side of Haiti, closer to the fort where he was originally imprisoned.”

Bones drained the last of his beer and tossed the empty in a bucket. “Maybe Jimmy can check that out.”

Maddock nodded, his sea gray eyes alight with a twinkle. “He’s already on it.”

Fabi ducked down as a wedge of light penetrated the manager’s office as the door opened. A woman’s heels clacked on the floor. She drew herself into a tight ball in an effort to be as small as possible. Her mind reeled with what she was going to say if discovered. Just looking for a file… and I got scared when I heard someone coming? She sure hoped it didn’t come to that. But then a darker thought overcame her.

This wasn’t the best part of town. What if she was about to be found by some common criminal here to rob the place or worse? Her mind was running through all sorts of terrible scenarios when she heard her name being called, by a female voice.

“… Fabi? Fabi, come out! It’s me, Cassandra. I know it’s you; I saw you go in there and not come out again.”

Beneath the desk, Fabi hung her head and breathed a huge sigh of relief. If anyone had to find her, Cassandra was the best possible person. It was still embarrassing, but infinitely better than if her manager, or God forbid — Dr. Avila — had caught her. She had no idea what she’d do then. As it was, it was going to be awkward.

“Coming.” She crawled out, stood, and gave Cassandra a sheepish look.

Cassandra left the door open but didn’t turn on the lights. “Fabi, what are you doing in here? You trying to get fired? Or more than fired… one time we had a part-time worker caught stealing office supplies — I’m talking really minor stuff— and Avila had him arrested. Never saw him again, even around town.”

Fabi blushed. “I wasn’t trying to steal anything. I was only looking for paperwork that could help me to do my job better.”

Cassandra put her hands on her hips. “Oh really? Poking around our manager’s office in the dark? You think I was born yesterday, honey? I like you, but don’t take me for an idiot.”

Fabi eyed her new friend. At least, she was really hoping she was a friend right about now and not overly loyal to Dr. Avila.

“All right, take it easy. I'll tell you everything.”