Page 4 of Takedown in Savannah
“More like months,” Pete corrected. “At least as far as this particular project is concerned. Before we get started, how did your Alaska gold mining adventure pan out?”
“Pfft.” Dernice blew air through thinned lips.
Elvira shot her a dark look before answering Pete’s question. “Other than being arrested and accused of attacking my friend, it was hunky-dory.”
“Did you find gold?”
“Yes, although not piles of it like I had hoped. The site I staked claim to is promising. Unfortunately, because of the remote location and with winter right around the corner, the area is closed until spring.”
“I guess this means you’ll be returning to Alaska to continue your search.”
“Next year.”
Through the bars in the door, Carlita noticed a dim light beaming out from the hole in the wall, the spot they’d blown out in order to access the area beneath Pete’s restaurant. “The lights are on.”
He pinned Elvira with a pointed stare. “I came down here this morning to make sure it was locked up tight. It looked like someone had been messing around, so I stuck a rechargeable light inside.”
“It wasn’t me, I swear. The last time I was down here was before I left for Alaska. Besides, if I wanted to get in, I would’ve picked the lock.”
“Rest assured, if I catch whoever it was, I plan to press charges.” He unlocked the door, and they trekked along the corridor, stopping when they reached the opening.
Carlita thought about what Arvid had told them. Based on the Parrot House’s proximity to the river, they were only steps away from another potential “area of interest.”
The couple had gone back and forth, weighing the pros and cons of expanding the dig but eventually decided to end the project, at least for the time being.
“I pulled the trigger and purchased additional security equipment for my work vans,” Elvira said. “The money we’re gonna get from this treasure hunting expedition will help cover my expenses. I’m not buying high-end equipment but brands that will last for at least the next five years.”
“You should have held off until you had the money in hand,” Carlita said.
“Have you ever heard of manifesting? I was manifesting the money.”
“Oh brother. Well, I want to manifest a million dollars,” Dernice joked.
“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.”
Pete straddled the opening and entered the dig site. “Let me turn the lights on.” He flipped the switch on the battery-powered spotlight before helping Carlita and Dernice inside.
He offered Elvira a hand. She waved it away. “I got this.” She scrambled over the side and came to an abrupt halt. “What the? What happened?”
“The excavating team packed up and left,” Carlita said.
“With all of our treasure?”
“There isn’t any,” Pete said. “The team found a handful of artifacts confirming pirates had been here, but it wasn’t treasure.”
Elvira clenched her fist and pressed it against her forehead, a pained expression on her face. “I was so certain we were going to hit it big time.”
“I’m disappointed as well.” Pete handed her a small stack of papers. “Here’s an official copy of the findings.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t turn out as you had hoped,” Carlita added.
Dernice patted her shoulder. “At least you still have the mining site in Alaska.”
“It might take years to find anything. Years of sifting through mountains of dirt, not to mention the added expense of hiring workers and leasing equipment.”
“You could negotiate with a team of experienced goldminers, giving them a cut of whatever you find,” Pete suggested.
“Wanda Tillman, my partner and friend, is already working on it. I was so sure we were onto something here.” Elvira kicked at a pile of dirt. “What if they lied? What if the team found the goods and pocketed them?”
