He’d found his family’s stolen sapphires.
CHAPTER 13
Gil’s chest clutched so tightly he couldn’t breathe.
He’d done it. He’d actually found his family’s sapphires. He’d been determined, but deep down, he’d feared he’d never see them again.
He forced the air from his lungs as he replaced the felt, then the lid. He lifted his gaze to the mountain of boxes in the storage room.
“The gems in that crate are yours?” Jess’s voice was low.
He nodded, keeping his gaze on the other boxes. “My family’s.”
“Do you think they’re all here?”
Good question. He returned the crate to its stack and raised his lantern to see to the rear wall. He couldn’t see how many rows back the boxes went.
“How large is this cavern?”
“Not far. Father parked our handcart in here once. He had to push it all the way to the back to close the door.”
Which meant the entire wagon load of crates stolen from their mine couldn’t be in here, not with the number of other boxes visible that weren’t theirs.Probablynot theirs anyway.He should check at least one to make sure some of the Coulter sapphires hadn’t been repackaged.
He hoisted down one of the smaller boxes. It was made from a different wood, which didn’t hold the nails as tightly. He pulled the top off to reveal a wad of gray cotton material.
Inside were gemstones of several different colors. Mostly red, but a few yellow and green. Sapphires could be different colors, though blue was the most common. They’d not mined any red last year that he could remember.
The contents of this crate must be from a different source. Possibly still stolen, though.
He replaced the lid and pushed it down with his knee to drive the nails back into the soft wood, then lifted the crate back to its place.
From her spot at the doorway, Jess gave him space to think and move.
He stepped back and eyed the full storage room again. “Without digging all the crates out and opening them all, I’d estimate this is a portion of what was stolen. Maybe up to half.” He peeked over his shoulder to catch her reaction.
A frown lowered her brow. “Could the others have been sold already?”
“I don’t know anyone in the territory who’d want or be able to afford so many sapphires.” He tipped his head. “I don’t have your father’s contacts, though. We always ship ours east to sell.”
They should close up this room and get out of here before someone found them. He glanced at the lock. “Any idea where the key is for this? It’d be nice to get in here a little quicker next time.”
She scooped up her hairpin and stepped closer to the door. “Let’s leave it unlocked. My guess is no one will notice for the few days we’ll need.”
Jess turned the lock on the door in the corridor quickly—she sure had a talent with that hairpin—then he lifted the thing and positioned it so she could fasten the hinge pins. At last, they closed the door, pressing it into the firm fit that concealed it well. He pushed on the handle a little to make sure the door would open again—which it did—then snatched his lantern and turned to Jess. “Can you think of any other rooms off this corridor?”
“I’ve thought about that. There’s nothing.” She started toward the exit, and he stepped in beside her. They’d taken a half dozen steps when a figure appeared in the shadows ahead.
His heart surged into his throat.
The figure took on the shape of a small man. As he moved closer, the lantern light glowed on Jedidiah’s face.
Jess had frozen beside him. She pressed a hand to her chest, letting out an audible breath. “You scared me, Jedidiah.”
His compact features wreathed into a smile that showed his teeth. A creepy look, especially with the light casting deep shadows on his face. “I would have made a noise if I’d known you’d be here. I didn’t expect you to directly disobey your father. What do you think he’ll say about that?” Even his voice sounded sinister. On purpose, no doubt. He was intentionally planting fear in Jess.
Gil stepped forward. He’d gladly call the man’s bluff. “Her father didn’t forbid her from entering the caves, and we didn’t hinder your workers. We didn’t even see them.” Gil took Jess’s arm, tugging her forward. “The architecture in these tunnels is amazing. You and your men have done well with them.” He guided Jess past the little bully, who glared at them. “Good day.”
He kept Jess moving, though she seemed sluggish. He shifted his arm around her back so he could give support. Was she trembling?
