Zia waved the check like a fan. “Don’t get me wrong. This money, it’s college for our boys. But I don’t understand . . .”
Amos said, “You’ve found a boat. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“And what a boat it is,” Sol said.
“Only if you agree,” Jenna said. “This has to be a unanimous decision.”
“But we figure it’s such a good deal, we went ahead and cut you checks for your full share.” Noah smiled at her. “Jenna found it. My job was to agree.”
She reached into her purse and came out with six full-color catalogs. “It’s a Princess 72. Almost brand-new.”
“The first owners took possession,” Sol said, “and four weeks later were required to declare bankruptcy. The boat has become part of the court’s seizure of assets.”
“Fifty-two hours on the motors,” Noah said.
“With Sol’s participation, we have enough left over to cover running costs for the next two years.”
“This has to be unanimous,” Noah said. “Otherwise it’s dead in the water.”
“Bad joke,” Jenna said. “Terrible.”
“But funny, right?”
“Okay, maybe a little.” To the others, “We think this is the right move, but only if you all agree.”
Zia rose to his feet. Lifted his glass. “Here’s to having a reason to celebrate.”
Amos stood beside him. “To friends. Good times. And family. And a new boat that I will learn to enjoy.”
CHAPTER42
Their fond farewells carried them out into the street, where they stood and laughed and chattered until after midnight. Finally fatigue and the children forced them to part ways. Noah spoke softly with his brother, shook his hand, then came back up to where Jenna waited. “He and Aldana will join us directly.”
They had debated this for weeks. And decided that, really, they had no choice.
Noah’s brother had to know.
And if Amos, then Aldana. That was how it was between them.
Jenna had a fresh pot of coffee ready when they arrived. They took up stations on the back porch, mugs in hand. Noah said it again. “Please, Jenna. You do this.”
She took it slow. Enjoying how Noah chipped in from time to time. Making their final night on the boat live again.
She started with their conversation in the forward cabin. Recalling Dino’s will. The hunt . . .
“You found it, didn’t you?” Amos said. “A second safe.”
“We did. Yes.”
Aldana asked, “More gold?”
“No.” She reached into her pocket, drew out the velvet satchel. It had probably been black at some point, but age and damp from the boat’s sinking had turned it an uneven beige. She waited while Noah set the battery lamp on the small table, then untied the drawstrings, and said, “Hold out your hands.”
She spilled out . . .
Diamonds.
“One to three carats,” Noah said. “The five stones Sol checked are all first quality. These sizes are apparently the easiest to translate into ready cash.”
