Page 353 of The Romance Adventure

My brothers, Isla, Lally, and Harley, wait for us.

Giving my head a solemn shake, I say, “Sailor’s Folly didn’t reveal any hidden secrets.”

“And we didn’t sink either,” Jolie adds with an eye on Royal.

He grunts.

Isla discretely elbows him.

Chin resting on his hand, Magnus paces. “So, the Crimson Tide wasn’t there either.”

“Because of the shifting sands on the seabed in this particular area, it’s not unheard of for a wreck to drift slightly.”

“But the coordinates from the logbook indicated it was there,” Ryan points, “and Sailor’s Folly is there.” He gestures slightly east. “So maybe it’s somewhere in between.”

“Or the sand could’ve covered it like a blanket,” Harley says.

“Storm could’ve moved it too,” Lally adds.

I nod and then shake my head, something not landing right in my mind. “For years, Chip trolled these waters from top to bottom. If it were here, surely he would’ve found it.”

“He found the stones but not the crown,” Mangus says.

“At least, that’s what we believe. Who knows, he could’ve hidden that too.” Royal tosses up his hands because this sure does feel like a dead end.

“Maybe it doesn’t want to be found,” I say.

“Or perhaps someone doesn’t want us to find it,” Harley says.

“Glandman did caution her,” Ryan says.

Isla shrugs. “And Mr. Higbee warned us like we’d trespassed on his lawn. Maybe we should take a break. We all have so much going on. Plus, with the warnings, it could be dangerous.”

Lally swallows. “And don’t forget about the message that I got.”

Magnus recites it verbatim. “Say a word, get tossed overboard. Stop the pursuit or you’ll get the boot. Let it go or get the heave-ho. It’s not yours or hers, so I suggest you leave the heirs. You’ve been warned, so leave it alone or you’ll soon be mourned. Remember, loose lips sink ships.”

The reminder that things could genuinely get dangerous for my family makes me uneasy.

“Could it be any clearer? Someone doesn’t want us looking for the treasure,” Lally says.

“Story as old as time. No one wants competition,” I say, doubling down.

“What about Captain J? Maybe we should see if he’s come across it,” Harley suggests.

Ryan shakes his head. “He’s a creepy dude, probably wrote the note and tied it up with those bones before throwing it overboard.”

Harley says, “Two flaws with that theory. Do you think he has a printer on the ship? If he threw it overboard, the paper would’ve disintegrated.”

I can think of five ways to make it work.

“He is our competition, though,” Royal says.

“Who is Captain J?” Jolie asks.

We take turns telling her about the Dark Seas, pineapple poker, and discovering that Gerome John Glandman is our cousin, but I’m stuck on the note.

I repeat the last part. “Loose lips sink ships.”