Page 12 of In Just a Year
“Because, my boy, Mister Blood will share any information for four Guinneas and there’s no sum that can keep him quiet,” Gustav replied.
Eve nodded and Ben’s parents shared a knowing look before Gustav went on. “My question is why is he making an inventory of the Crown Jewels at the Martin Tower while we are creating more pieces for the collection? If we add to Prinny’s wealth, why does Nagy’s scrutiny fall on us?”
“Because he realizes that the Crown Jewels are just a fraction of what you have access to and he doesn’t want you to sell your gems to the Crown, he wants to annex your wealth, no matter where it’s hidden.” Stone let go of the map, and it curled up.
Ben caught the ends, unrolling it again to look at the lines that led from England to Venice and followed the path to Suez and then to India.
“What does the route to India have to do with the jewels in the Tower of London?” Ben asked.
“I suspect that one of the drawings Nagy showed my crew was Durga, an Indian deity.”
Arnold frowned. “So, he knows one of the countries on Izaac’s map is India?”
Gideon shrugged. “India’s so big, he’ll never find anything. His lackeys didn’t even find the dreidel in Italy—”
“Wait, Gideon.” Fave spoke in his scholarly manner. “Durga, Greg, is no ordinary deity. She’s revered as a significant figure in Hinduism, an embodiment of the mother goddess Mahadevi.” He paused. “She’s associated with protection and strength and motherhood, but she’s not only a nurturing figure; she’s also linked to destruction and wars.”
Baron Stone raised an eyebrow. “A goddess of war and motherhood?”
“Fave nodded. “Her legend’s intertwined with the struggle against evils and demonic entities that seek to disrupt peace, prosperity, and righteousness. She symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. And she’s depicted on one of the petals of the Dreidel of Destiny that Gideon found.”
“It’s not too much of a stretch to think Durga represents the seat of the East India Company,” Stone said. “That’s why I’m concerned. Nagy might know more than we think.”
Ben wondered why Gregory Stone was privy to their secret and treasure hunt clues. He was the only person not related to their trusted circle. What had he done to earn their trust?
Fave looked at Greg, eyes serious. “There’s more, Greg. It’s believed that Durga releases her divine fury on those who are wicked. Not only for punishment, but for the liberation of the oppressed. Her destruction is a means to foster creation.”
“If Durga represents the East India Company, its target moves. The Company has changed a lot since Izaac Pearler’s times.” Greg seemed to be calculating a large operation in his head.
Pavel, his mien somber, sank into a chair at the side of the table. The color drained from his face.
“You don’t think—” Gustav began, but Pavel nodded.
“It has to be the Company’s Garden.” Pavel’s voice quivered with realization. “The Company moved its headquarters from Madras to Calcutta after Izaac was there.”
“Nagy doesn’t know that,” Arnold said.
“He could find out easily if anyone went there to inquire on his behalf,” Gustav added.
“Wait, that would mean Nagy knows who hid the treasures.” Ben squirmed as the thought matured in his mind. “As long as he doesn’t know the timeline of when the treasures were hidden, he’s on the wrong trail.”
“Still, he’s on a trail and that worries me,” Gustav said.
“We have to beat him and extract the next piece of the treasure. It could be another clue,” Gideon said.
Ben took the Dreidel of Destiny out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “What Izaac hid was meant for us, not for Nagy.”
Gustav snorted. “My father hid the treasure precisely because of people like Nagy.”
Greg addressed the group. “I can take you there if you want to beat him in the race to the treasure, but my next ship leaves tomorrow. That’s why I came to you today. Nagy has been at the pier inspecting my cargo for the Shah all day.” Greg locked his gaze with Caleb. “Do you want to come with me again?”
Caleb turned to his wife, Lizzie. “I can’t leave her with the baby on the way.”
Lizzie lifted his hand and nestled under this arm.
Pavel shook his head. “None of us can go. If anyone leaves, Nagy will suspect—”
“It’s too dangerous,” Chawa agreed.
