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.
“Next one’s further north, past the lighthouse,” I say, marking the map.
“About what Reeves said,” Sid packs the equipment. “Your father encoding information in the star.”
The idea’s been bothering me since we met the developer. “Dad was good at hiding things. When I was little, he made treasure hunts for my birthdays. Clues hidden in everyday objects.”
“How did you build the star? Anything unusual?”
I close my eyes, seeing it clearly. “Five points, each from different driftwood. Connected at the center with a circular section I hollowed out for blue sea glass. The backing...” My eyes open. “The backing. I used one flat piece to mount everything, but Dad insisted on a second layer underneath. Said it’d make the star more stable.”
“A hidden compartment.” Sid’s excitement matches mine. “Between the backing pieces.”
“That’s where he hid whatever Reeves wants. Dad knew I’d never take it apart.”
Finn circles back from the rocks, looking at us.
