I never thought I would offer a quick thank you prayer for traffic, but because of jammed roads, our driver drove slower and calmer this time around. Well, the word “calmer” was a stretch. The frequent bursts of Spanish words accompanied by enthusiastic hand gestures meant he wasn’t happy about the line of cars in front of him.
As we traveled farther from the museum, down streets rich with history and the finest example of Spanish colonial architecture, my eyes fed on the beauty of the variegated buildings, bougainvillea draped over their balconies.
A few minutes later, we passed through a set of gates, the driver raising his hand to greet a security guard, and continued meandering through sanctuary-like, lush grounds. After a crapshoot plane, I feared Andrew’s promised “nice” hotel would be the Colombian version of Motel 6. And god, I was glad to be wrong. The resort was superlative with a state-of-the-art hotel with spellbinding white-sand beaches flanked by palm trees.
Once we checked in, William and I stored our luggage in separate rooms, ordered the most popular Colombian cocktail with Aguardiente—it turned out not my favorite because it tasted like licorice (gag)—and explored the property.
Later that evening, waves calmly rolled onto the sand below a restaurant deck where William and I enjoyed chilled Chardonnay and mouth-watering seafood paella with saffron rice cooked in lobster broth.
“This adventure has turned out to be a delightful addition to our Costa Rica vacation.” William stretched his legs under the table, the retiring sun casting a warm glow on his face. “The resort is amazing, the food is out of this world, and OMG, look at that view.”
“Please don’t call it an adventure. This is strictly an opportunity to make easy money.”
“I get no money out of this deal, so I can call it whatever I want.” He gave me a cheeky grin.
While he was pleased with the breathtaking sunset and local cuisine, my brain was an Instant Pot on the verge of a blowout. Earlier in the hotel room, I’d connected to the free Wi-Fi, and my inbox had exploded in front of my eyes with emails from Roswell Planning & Zoning Department, an interview request from a local newspaper, and bills from the interior design agency, marketing group, and engineering firm totaling nine thousand dollars. I finished my wine in two gulps. What if Andrew wasn’t able to unlock the chest because he couldn’t figure out the code? Or what if it was the wrong bracelet altogether? Was the deal off? I needed the promised fifty thousand dollars. Without it, as soon as I returned to Atlanta, my building—gosh, that sounded so good,my building—would have to be placed back on the market. And who knew when it would sell? I had some savings, but barely enough to cover one month’s mortgage payment. An involuntary shiver ran over my body. I’d have to return to Salzburg Distributing and beg for my old job back. My previous salary—presuming I got it—was enough to not default on the loan and get me a small rental, so William could get his condo all to himself.
“Do you think…” I bit off a cuticle. “Even if they can’t open the chest… do you think Andrew will still pay me?”
William sent me an unsure look, then his expression changed, and he smiled. “I’m sure he will. You did your part. It’s not your fault he can’t unlock it.”
“What if it’s because I put the bracelet on?”
“Think about Pérez, the pirate, who, by the way, according to the book Andrew bought me, was quite a romantic and madly in love with his wife, Maria. Because of severe motion sickness, Maria could not travel far, so, on some trips, Augustine returned with an extra ship packed with gifts around the world just for her: Greek statues, French furniture, ivory carvings from West Africa, and even an ancient Roman mosaic floor. What a murderous sweetheart.” He waved his hand in the direction of the ocean. “Sorry, I got sidetracked. Back to your worry about the bracelet. Maria wore it on her wrist, and it’s not in a grave, so it came off somehow.”
Yes. That made sense.
“But,” I said, “she also knew the correct pattern. What if she unlocked the bracelet, took it off, and only then used it to open the chest?”
William linked his hands behind his neck and stared out at the sunset. “Possible. But Andrew strikes me as a person who would honor his word no matter what.”
“I hope you’re right.”
ChapterFive
In the morning, I found Andrew on the same restaurant patio where William and I had eaten dinner. A warm sunrise had replaced the breathtaking sunset. I wore a white cotton flared dress with tiny blue flowers on the bottom, whereas Andrew wore the same clothes from yesterday, his previously crisp shirt now wrinkled. His hair was disheveled as if he hadn’t even run his finger through it this morning to make it presentable, but he’d shaved.
A somber expression clouded Andrew’s face, his eyebrows drawn together and his lips turned into a frown. Even his smirk wasn’t happy. He read a menu and sipped his coffee. As I approached the table, he glanced up. His mouth curved into a full-beam smile that reached his beautiful eyes, softening his tired look. A pleasant sensation passed through me at his reaction. My presence had taken him out of a dark place and brought him into the light. I did that. I’ve never seen a man respond to me in the same manner. Should I leave and come back again, just so I could watch it one more time? And then annoyance slammed into me harder than an out-of-control bus. Why was I even enjoying this? He was married. And even if he wasn’t married, I shouldn’t toy with the idea of… Best not even go there.
Maybe the look meant he’d found the pattern so we all could return to our lives.
Me to my mess. Him to his lovely family.
My smile wanted to fail me, but I kept it on.
“Good morning.” I reached the table, and Andrew got up and pulled out the chair for me. “Thank you.”
“How was your night?” He pushed the chair in as I sat and took his spot to my right.
“Fine. And yours? Were you able to get much sleep, or were you up all night breaking into the chest?” I picked up the menu and scanned the English side, seeing no words as my brain struggled to play catch-up. All I saw was Andrew’s expression when he’d noticed me.
“Where’s your brother?”
“He’s on his way. So, what did you find out last night?” I lowered the menu. “Or do you want William to be present so you don’t have to repeat yourself?”
“We don’t have to wait for him. I’ll tell you now.”
A server appeared and hovered over us, pouring coffee for me. Andrew pressed his full lips together, waiting for her to leave so he could speak.
