Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dex
A ria had never officially offered me the job, but since day three moved on without a hitch other than the occasional breaks in work to flirt and smile at each other, I assumed the job was mine. We left work with plans to see each other for dinner, nothing fancy, just pizza and a movie. So much for taking things slow.
I had a few hours, so after leaving the café, I took my paperwork to the DMV to get the boat registered. I put the stickers on the boat, happy to have a possible legal problem solved. Then I continued my search for the coins by walking along one of the rock jetties near the marina. It was a brisk day, but several men had settled themselves on the rocks and tossed their fishing lines into the water. I was glad I’d left Gus at home, or he would have been standing right next to the men cheering them on in his cheeky way.
I walked along the rocks. The sun was low in the sky but still reflecting strands of light off the water’s surface. From the tip of the jetty I could see from one end of the cove to the other, and what I saw was disappointing. I’d combed most of the rocky sites with no luck. It was starting to feel as if I’d taken on an impossible task.
I walked the side with the two fishermen on the way back, glancing into crevices and moving a few rocks around with my boot.
“Did ya lose something?” one of the men called. He was wearing an army green beanie and an old army coat to match. His friend was more bundled in a parka and a trapper hat with fleece lined earflaps. “Seems like lots of people looking for something on these rocks today.”
I walked over and sat down next to them. “Looking for something a friend lost.”
The man in the trapper hat kindly offered me a drink from his coffee thermos. “It’s special coffee,” he winked. “I’ve found that a shot of whiskey in the coffee helps these old bones from creaking.”
“That’s kind of you, but I’m fine. Thanks.”
The man took a sip himself and laughed. “Guess your bones aren’t old enough to creak yet.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“What are you lookin’ for?” the man in army green asked. “Lost treasure?” They both chuckled.
“Something like that. I’ve only got one clue to go on. Either of you know what the words ‘lyin’ talk’ might mean?” I was getting tired of asking it because it sounded so nuts. And these guys agreed. There was another round of laughter.
The man with the fun coffee could barely hang onto his hat. “I’m sorry, son, but I think someone’s pullin’ your leg.”
“I think you’re right.” I pushed my hands in my pockets to warm them up.
“Look what you’ve done, Mel. You’ve tangled your line with mine.” The man in the beanie worked to untangle the lines while Mel took another sip of coffee. The two men looked similar in age with enough craggy lines in their faces to show they’d both spent a lot of time in the sun, possibly out here fishing.
“Are you two brothers?” I asked.
A dry laugh shot out of Mel’s mouth. “Then we probably wouldn’t be out here fishing together every day. My brother was ten years older than me, and we had less in common than a dog and a cat. And Karl, here, grew up with three sisters. We’ve been best friends since our soldier days. Fought in Vietnam together and we’ve had each other’s backs ever since.”
“Wow, that was a tough war,” I said. “I’ll bet nothing brings you closer together than standing side by side in battle. Thank you for your service.”
“It was a tough one, that war, but we both made it back, and we’ve been best friends ever since.” Deep lines creased Mel’s face as he smiled at his friend.
Karl adjusted his beanie. “I told you, that whiskey makes you all soggy and sentimental.”
Mel lifted the thermos. “Also keeps my bones from creaking.”
Karl chuckled. “That’s what you think. I can hear them from here.”
Something Karl had said as I approached them fired back into my mind, and I was stunned how long it took me to process it. “Karl, did you say there were a lot of people looking for things out on these rocks today?”
Mel shook his head. “Karl tends to exaggerate. You should hear him talk about the one that got away.” Mel lifted his gloved hands and held them far apart.
“Well, he’s not the first guy out here combing these rocks today,” Karl reminded him.
“Yes, but lots ? Two others to be exact, and they were together so that only counts as one,” Mel insisted. It was frustrating trying to cut to the chase with Karl and Mel.
“Two men?” I asked calmly even though there was a five-alarm fire going on inside. “Did they say what they were looking for?”
“Nah, they weren’t too friendly, so Mel and I ignored them. One of ‘em was big, like you, with a mean looking scar across his jaw. Wore a black beanie and leather coat. They rode up on motorcycles, just like you.”
“Yeah, but those were choppers,” Mel added. “You know, like the kind those biker gangs use. Looked like they could have been part of a gang, come to think of it. We were just as glad when they left the jetty.”
None of this was good news. It seemed that the gang that hired Ace and Leo had taken matters into their own hands. And I had no doubt that these new treasure hunters would be far more ruthless, adept and determined than the other two. I stood up. “It’s been great talking to you, Karl and Mel. And good luck with the catch.”
“Good luck with that treasure.” Mel was still laughing as I walked away.
My phone rang. It was Angie. “Hey, Ang, I’m about to climb on the bike and head over.”
“Oh, Dex, it’s not good.” She sniffled.
“What’s wrong?” I picked up my pace.
“The doctor said Quinn has developed a fever. They’re administering antibiotics, but he said it was definitely a setback.”
“Ang, Quinn is tough. He’ll get through it. I’ll be at your house in about forty minutes. We can go to the hospital together and corner one of the doctors for more specifics.”
“All right, but Max is still expecting ice cream. I told him before I got the news about Quinn.”
“We can take him for ice cream and then go to the hospital.” This wasn’t the time to tell Angie about the new visitors in town. She had enough to worry about. “I’ll see you soon.” I hung up and called Aria.
“Guess you can’t get enough of your boss, eh?” she teased.
“That’s very true. But I need to take a raincheck on dinner. Something’s come up, and I need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m sorry, Dex. Is it serious?”
“Quinn’s taken a turn for the worse, but I know my buddy; he’s tough. He had a hard childhood, and he came out the other side stronger than anyone I know.” The words were really meant for me. I needed convincing that this wasn’t going to end in tragedy. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the café.”
“All right. Keep me posted.”
I hurried back to the motorcycle and rode toward Angie’s house.