Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Return the star,” I demand. “It’s valuable to me for reasons that have nothing to do with your development plans.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment,” Reeves replies. “But I can offer compensation for your loss. A generous amount that would allow you to create many more pieces.”
The suggestion that money could replace something with such personal significance angers me. “The star was made from driftwood my father and I collected together during his final months. It’s not about the monetary value.”
Reeves sighs. “Sentiment is a luxury in business, Ms. Lane. I’m offering a practical solution.”
“And we’re declining,” Sid interjects firmly. “The star belongs to Marnie, and the shipwreck information belongs to historical record.”
A harder edge enters Reeves’ expression. “Consider carefully before taking an adversarial position. Coastal Development Partners has significant resources and influence in this region.”
“Is that a threat?” I ask, Finn pressing against my leg.
“A reality check,” Reeves corrects. “Your father was attempting something that would impact many lives, not always positively. A protected historical site prevents development, which means fewer jobs, less tourism revenue, decreased property values for existing homeowners.”
His argument sounds rehearsed, the typical developer’s promise of economic benefits masking personal profit motives. I recognize the same tactics used against Dad during the resort development fight years ago.
“We’ve documented everything we’ve found,” Sid informs him coolly. “Including this conversation. If anything happens to either of us or to any evidence, copies will go to authorities.”
It’s a bluff, but a good one. Reeves hesitates, reassessing the situation.
“I came to offer a reasonable arrangement,” he says finally. “Return of the star after the development plans are finalized, in exchange for your discretion about certain historical findings. Think about it.” He places his business card on a nearby rock. “My offer won’t remain open indefinitely.”
With that, he turns and walks back toward the dunes, disappearing over the ridge without looking back.
“Well,” Sid says once Reeves is out of earshot. “That was illuminating.”
“And concerning,” I add. “He’s admitted to taking the star and threatening us.”
“But we still don’t know where the star is, or exactly what information it contains.”
I consider what we’ve learned. “Dad must have encoded clues about the Salvador Mundi in the star’s design. Something that could definitively prove the shipwreck’s identity and location.”
“Which means finding the remaining locations on the map might give us the information we need,” Sid concludes.
The morning’s discoveries have changed the stakes considerably. This isn’t just about recovering a sentimental creation anymore, but about completing Dad’s work and ensuring a significant historical find isn’t buried for corporate profit.
“We should go to Chief Barnes now,” Sid suggests. “We have evidence of historical significance, plus Reeves’ implicit admission of theft and threats.”
The logical part of me agrees, but something holds me back. “Let’s check one more location first. The fourth mark on the map looks like it’s just beyond those rocks.” I point further along the beach. “It might give us more leverage when we go to the police.”
Sid hesitates, then nods. “One more site. Then we bring in authorities, regardless of what we find.”
As we gather our tools and prepare to move to the next location, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched again, despite Reeves’ departure. Now that we’ve confronted one of the players directly, the next move could determine whether we recover the star and protect Dad’s discovery, or lose both to corporate greed.
Finn seems to share my unease, staying closer than usual as we make our way along the beach. Whatever the fourth location holds, I have a feeling it will bring us one step closer to understanding the truth about the Salvador Mundi, the Star of Sebastian, and why my driftwood creation became the center of this unexpected treasure hunt.
Chapter Six
The fourth location sits between two large boulders on this stretch of beach. Dad and I found some of our best driftwood pieces here, including a curved piece shaped like a whale that now hangs in my shop window.
“Different symbol again,” Sid says, studying the map. “A triangle instead of an X or spiral.”
Finn leads us forward, nose to the sand as we reach the marked spot. The tide pulls back, exposing more of the rocky shore.
“Reeves called it ‘the Star of Sebastian,’” I say. “Has to be significant. The ship was carrying items for a cathedral.”
“Or named after Captain Sebastian Mateus,” Sid suggests, setting up the ground-penetrating radar.
We scan the area in a grid pattern. The radar shows something small buried a foot down near the western boulder.
With trowels and brushes, we dig carefully. A small metal object emerges, encrusted with centuries of sediment. About four inches long, impossible to identify under the corrosion.
“Careful,” Sid says. “Improper cleaning could destroy it.”
I photograph from multiple angles before Sid lifts it into a cloth-lined container. Whatever it is, its connection to the Salvador Mundi makes it valuable.