“Probably,” Naki added.
Tim shook his head. Finding the rest of the gold had just dropped in priority. Right now, managing how this would impact the park was all he could think about.
“Ranger,” Naki said, “I wouldn’t worry too much about treasure seekers finding the gold. It’s been hidden in very obscure places.”
Tim shook his head. “To be honest, finding the gold isn’t my worry. It’s what treasure seekers might do to the park asthey search for it. The rangers need to make sure they aren’t turning over every rock and tree stump. Scout, you’re needed back on Baker Island tour today.”
“I’m ready, sir,” Scout said, glancing at the wall clock.
“To my amazement, the superintendent is thrilled about all the attention.” Tim leaned back in his chair, the wooden frame creaking under his weight. “She’s excited about the A-S ... something or other. Maritime law, she said.”
“The Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987.”
Tim pointed at Naki. “That’s it.”
“What’s that?” Scout said.
Tim let Naki answer.
“Any abandoned shipwreck in park waters is under federal protection, managed by the national park. Not the state.”
“Including all artifacts,” Tim added.
Naki’s voice came low and steady. “The Penobscot Nation has a rightful claim to the gold.”
Tim jerked his head up. It should’ve dawned on him that Naki, whose career was in public policy, would have an eye on that gold for his people. How did he not see that coming?
From Scout’s expression, Tim could tell she was thinking the same thought. “I’m sure the superintendent will do the right thing,” she said.
Tim caught the flicker of skepticism on Naki’s face—he didn’t even have to say it:Not a chance.
Cynical? Maybe. But probably right. Tim had spent enough years in government to know that if the tribe had to petition the federal government for that gold, it would be tangled up in court battles for years. Naki knew that too.
Scout shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “So what now?”
“Back to work.” Tim stood, grabbing the paper and tossing it in the garbage can. “And if any of you see Chase Fletcher near this office again, send him packing.” He watched the two ofthem file out, then his gaze dropped to the brass box. So small yet so powerful. A churning started in his stomach. He had no doubt the superintendent was angling to make sure that gold stayed in the park’s coffers.
Chase ran a hand through his already-mussed hair and leaned against Lydia’s desk, still staring at the numbers on his iPad like they might suddenly make sense. “I can’t believe it, Lydia. We’ve had more hits on the website than we’ve had all year. We’ve had to go to a second printing by nine o’clock this morning. Locals are actually coming in off the street to buy copies of the paper. When, in recent history, has this ever happened?”
Lydia didn’t look up from her computer. “Better sit down for this,” she said, her grin slow and triumphant. “AP is picking the story up on the wire.”
Chase blinked. “Shut up.”
“Nope.” She clicked her mouse and spun her screen toward him. “There it is. Your byline. Our little paper, going national.”
Chase let out a low whistle and dropped into the nearest chair, suddenly feeling like he needed it. “Well, I’ll be.” He shook his head. “We’re gonna need a third edition, aren’t we?”
Lydia grinned. “Better call the printer. And tell him we might need a fourth.”
Scout stood at the top of the gangplank leading into the tour boat, clipboard in hand, greeting guests with a polite smile as they passed her. The Baker Island tour was on schedule, and she intended to keep it that way. Her head might still be spinning, but work demanded focus. Happily, Frankie was occupied with his father’s visit, so the tour’s responsibilities fell squarely on her shoulders, and she was glad for it. Frankiewouldn’t be here to make things more complicated, which he excelled at.
Her mind kept circling back to the meeting in the chief’s office—the moment when the conversation turned to the ownership of the gold. The way Naki’s voice shifted, the quiet steel behind it, the subtle but undeniable shift in the room. It was like a line had been drawn, whether he meant to or not—Naki on one side, Scout and the chief on the other. They’d been focusing on protecting the park. Naki had a much bigger picture in mind. The easy camaraderie of the past few days evaporated in an instant.
It shouldn’t be a surprise. After spending time with him, after that visit to his childhood home, she understood now in a way she hadn’t before—this wasn’t just history to him. It wasn’t just a treasure hunt. It was something deeper, something personal. Of course he wanted to make sure that gold ended up where it should have been all along—with the Penobscot Nation. How could she fault him for that? His people, his history, his community—that was what drove him. She felt embarrassed with herself for not considering the gold hunt through Naki’s eyes, only through the lens of a park ranger.
Had she only imagined those moments between them? The way he looked at her, the way his silence felt like listening? Maybe she’d read too much into it. Maybe she’d wanted something that wasn’t there.
She glanced up to greet the next guest as he came up the gangplank and did a double take.
