“Which probably means they’re art gallery worthy,” Sam said, nodding in understanding. “I’d like to see them.”
Arthur nodded and helped Darcy lift the sign into the back of the ute and they continued their journey.
They had to stop a few more times to remove debris from the track, but they finally reached the gulf.
What a difference a day made.
The water churned a milky beige and mangrove branches were scattered along the shore. The concrete base of the plaque had been exposed, and the pole leaned towards the sand. Even the dunes had almost been washed away by the surge of the swell and though it was low tide, the water lapped high on the shore.
Arthur got out and his gaze was drawn to where he suspected the treasure had been buried. The small dunes had eroded away and in their place were a few limestone rocks jutting out. His pulse increased.
“Ames,” he called and jerked his head toward them. Her mouth dropped open.
Lara ran over to the plaque with Jordan and together they pushed it so it was standing upright again.
Arthur took the shovels out of the back and Georgie demanded, “So, what are the clues?”
They all walked over to the plaque, and Arthur pointed out the fake names. Then he explained how he’d translated them. “Which puts the treasure right near those newly exposed rocks.” He pointed.
“Where shelter, water and food collide, you will find the treasure hide,” Lara quoted. She ran over. “There’s water here!”
Sure enough, the exposed rocks now held a pool of water from the rain.
Arthur held up a shovel. “Who wants first go?”
Lara grabbed one and Jordan peered up with hopeful eyes at Arthur. He handed the other shovel to the boy and the two children began attacking the sand with gusto. They hit rock quickly, so started scooping sand from the front.
“Why do they get all the fun?” Georgie grumbled.
“They’ll tire soon enough,” Gretchen said.
Little by little, with others taking their turns, they exposed a cave, the limestone rock that had been exposed forming its roof.
Brandon switched on the ute spotlights, and people murmured to each other, but everyone watched avidly. Faith and Georgie passed the shovels to Darcy and Matt, Darcy forgetting his fatigue. It was likely the cyclone that had wrecked the Retribution would have exposed this cave. Lilian might not have known time would cover it with sand again, or maybe that had been the whole point.
The sand flowed out of the cave now much of the entrance had been cleared. Darcy thrust his shovel in and…thunk!
Definitely the sound of the shovel hitting something that wasn’t rock.
Lara danced from foot to foot. “It’s there!”
Darcy wiped his brow and handed the shovel to Arthur. “You should uncover it. We wouldn’t have found it without you.”
Arthur lost the ability to speak as he took the shovel. He glanced at Amy, who nodded, and then Gretchen, who grinned at him. “You deserve this.”
His heart skittered in his chest, but everyone was waiting for him to step up. He exhaled and moved forward, shifting the sand until through the falling particles he spotted wood.
No freaking way.
He dropped the shovel and shifted the remaining sand by hand.
A wooden chest, slightly rotted with age but in remarkable condition.
“Epic,” Lara breathed.
He glanced back, eyes wide. Jordan appeared frozen, staring with disbelief. Gretchen was equally shocked, but Georgie summed it up best. “Well, shit.”
Amy laughed. “Let’s get it out of there. I want to see what’s inside.”
