Page 7 of Captiva Café

"Practically microscopic," Phineas agreed. "Now, are you going to show me what you found, or do I need to stand in this heat all afternoon?"

Linda nodded enthusiastically. "The Chronicle readers would be fascinated by a piece on historical artifacts discovered right here on our island. Human interest with local significance."

Gretchen shot Isabelle a questioning look. Isabelle hesitated, then nodded slightly.

"We've kept them secure," she said, leading the small group toward the temporary office trailer at the edge of the property. "Chelsea photographed everything, but we haven't shown anyone the photos."

Inside the air-conditioned trailer, Isabelle unlocked a small cabinet and carefully withdrew a shallow archival box. She set it on the work table and gently removed the lid.

Phineas leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. His breath caught audibly.

"Well, I'll be damned," he whispered.

Inside the box lay several items: a tarnished Spanish coin with worn edges, what appeared to be a shell tool with notches along one edge, a small leather-bound ledger with faded handwriting, and a piece of pottery with distinctive patterns that suggested Calusa craftsmanship.

Linda gasped. "Is that—is that a Spanish coin? And Native American artifacts?"

Marco leaned closer, examining the items without touching them. "The coin looks like Spanish colonial currency from the 1700s, possibly from trade routes through the Gulf." He pointed to the pottery shard. "And this definitely has Calusa design elements. They were the dominant tribe in this region before European contact."

"It is," Phineas confirmed, his voice suddenly reverent. "The Calusa were master shell craftsmen. This particular pattern—see these zigzag marks?—is consistent with their pottery from around 1500 to 1600."

Gretchen looked between the elderly historian and Marco. "So these things are...important?"

"Important?" Phineas laughed, a sound like dry leaves rustling. "What you've found here is evidence of what some of us have suspected for years—that this site was once part of the island's early trading history. The Spanish explored these watersextensively, and the Calusa controlled this region for centuries before being displaced."

Linda was frantically taking notes, her earlier complaints about construction noise apparently forgotten. "This could be a significant historical discovery!"

"It needs proper examination," Marco cautioned. "These items should be documented by experts before any conclusions are drawn."

Isabelle carefully replaced the lid on the box. "Which is exactly why we've kept this quiet until now."

"I know someone at the university in Fort Myers," Marco offered. "An archaeologist specializing in Florida's colonial period. She could help authenticate these items, give you a better understanding of what you're dealing with."

Linda's pen paused over her notepad. "And when might this authentication happen? My readers will want details."

"Your readers," Isabelle said firmly, "will have to wait until we have those details. We won't be publishing speculation."

Phineas chuckled. "Still trying to control the narrative, eh, Linda?"

Linda straightened her shoulders. "I'm simply representing the public's right to know about significant discoveries in our community."

"And we appreciate your interest," Gretchen said, guiding Linda toward the door with surprising diplomacy. "We'll be sure to give you first access to the story once we have expert confirmation."

As Gretchen ushered Linda outside, Phineas lingered, his gaze still fixed on the box.

"You know," he said softly, "there were always stories about this building. That during the Depression, when banks weren't trusted, some island families hid valuables in the walls or under floorboards for safekeeping."

Isabelle exchanged a glance with Marco. "Do you think there could be more?"

Phineas shrugged. "Who knows? But I'd watch those walls carefully during your renovation. History has a way of revealing itself when you least expect it."

He tipped his hat and followed Gretchen and Linda outside, leaving Isabelle alone with Marco.

"You know," Marco said thoughtfully, "if these items are what Phineas thinks they are, your café might become more than just a business. It could be a window into Captiva's past—from the Calusa days through Spanish exploration and the agricultural period."

Isabelle looked out the window where she could see Gretchen animatedly explaining something to Steven, her hands gesturing in wide arcs the way they did when she was excited about an idea.

"That's what Gretchen has been saying," Isabelle admitted. "That we're not just opening a café—we're creating a community space with a soul."

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