Chapter 16 Benny
Sixteen
Benny
Benny held the box under her jacket closer to her chest, wishing there was somewhere she could hide it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.
Grace’s eyes flashed. “Don’t play games, child. You don’t know what I’m capable of.” She started to step out of the golf cart, and Vivian placed a hand on Grace’s arm.
“Why don’t you let me speak to Everly?” Vivian said, still refusing to use Benny’s nickname. “Ms. Dabney and her friend can ride back to the clubhouse with you, and the gentlemen can go on their way. No need for us to discuss anything in this dreadful rain.” Thunder rumbled overhead again.
Benny tensed. What if Grace remembered Gil when she saw him up close? It had been two hundred years, but still. She wished she could warn Zara.
“Fine.” Grace stepped out of Vivian’s cart. She was wearing black pants, high black rain boots, and a silk tank top in the exact same shade as the ring. She took a seat in the passenger seat. “But I prefer not to drive. One of you two can,” she added, waving her hand in Zara and Gil’s direction.
“You may regret that decision,” Zara said, hopping in the driver’s seat as Gil climbed in the back. Benny could tell Gil looked nervous, but he gave her a small wave, and then they were off.
Benny took a seat next to Vivian, and the older woman headed in the opposite direction. Vivian hugged the cliff, driving way slower than Zara had. For a few minutes, she said nothing. Then she stopped at a spot overlooking the water and the lighthouse offshore.
“Considering we are currently part of a legal battle to decide who takes ownership of Evelyn Terry’s estate, I find it strange that you would choose now to try to steal something you found on Rudd property.”
Benny knew how to handle adults like Vivian.
Ones who thought they were heads above people like her.
But Vivian, she could see, was unlike the others in Benny’s past—principals, rent collectors, her mom’s exes.
She wouldn’t be so easily fooled. “I was only visiting the monument. That’s not a crime. ”
Vivian eyed her suspiciously. “What was it you were hoping to find? Axel waiting for you with Ryan? Another clue from Evelyn that would lead you to more missing treasure and tell you the story of how Evelyn originally met Grace? Yes, I know everything, Everly.”
Benny felt her stomach drop. So her worst fears were confirmed. She dug her nails into her shorts and tried to keep her expression neutral.
Vivian looked out at the sea. “The Rudds have been working with Grace O’Malley for a very long time, waiting for the next Blood Orange Moon to let us onto the island to claim what Axel Rudd long ago said was there—a treasure that could let one live forever, much as Grace has.
Ryan filled in the rest for us. The child, obviously, is willing to do anything to honor his mother’s memory and please me, but you continue to be a surprise, Everly. ”
“How so?” Benny shot back before she could stop herself.
“Oh Everly... Let’s not pretend.” She pursed her lips, which were lined with pale pink lipstick.
Despite the pearl earrings and necklace, and the blue sweater set she was wearing with dress pants, she did not look like a typical grandmother.
She reminded Benny of a tiger stalking its prey.
“Ryan told me you found the island. He also told me how you pieced Evelyn Terry’s clues together to play her little game to find some of the missing treasure.
Smart girl. But you…I would think now you’d do all you could to prove the island’s existence, collect your inheritance, and be done with all this.
” She leaned in closer, and Benny smelled roses.
“And yet, as far as I can tell, your lawyer has no clue the island is out there.” She looked at the water.
“What reason would you have to deny yourself the chance to win everything?”
Benny knew she had to choose her next words carefully. “I will win, but Evelyn asked me to do something, and I plan on seeing it through first.”
Vivian smiled thinly. “I didn’t expect you to be shortsighted.
Without proof of the island, I win everything.
And you and your mother will be left with nothing.
No apartment to go back to in Boston. No job.
On you’ll go to a new town, but for how long before your mom dates someone else you don’t like?
Or spends too much, and you can’t afford your rent? ”
Benny felt her heart start to flutter, the bile rising in her throat. Vivian knew all Benny’s secrets, and she was cruelly twisting the knife.
“This is your shot, dear. Don’t blow it.
You’re bright.” She shifted in her seat to face Benny head-on.
“Ryan has told me as much. And your ambitions are admirable—save the children lost on that island, and the pirate, and collect the inheritance. Knowing Axel Rudd is still alive definitely was a shock.” Her expression darkened.
“But I’m here to tell you it’s not possible to do it all. ”
“You’re wrong” Benny said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Grace will not allow the island to disappear again with the treasure on it. She needs the remaining treasure to get the chest off the island.”
“But I haven’t found Evelyn’s coin,” Benny said, holding Vivian’s gaze. It was the truth.
“Yet. But you will, I have no doubt, and when you do, if you give it to Grace and help her find her way onto the island, I would be willing to drop any claim to the Terry estate.”
Benny felt like she couldn’t breathe—Vivian was giving her the inheritance with a catch. Why did Grace need help getting on the island? “What about Axel? And the others?”
“They’ve made their bed; they must lie in it,” Vivian said curtly. “You may help them off the island if you like, but I can think of worse fates than immortality. Axel will adjust. Grace and I want the treasure. You help her get it; the inheritance is yours.”
Benny’s head hurt. “What about Captain Kimble?”
Vivian adjusted the lapel on her sweater set. “Grace will deal with him. He is none of your concern.”
Saving Kimble was part of Evelyn’s plea. Benny felt like she might get sick.
“This is an excellent deal, Everly,” Vivian said. “You must know that.”
Benny did know. But Kimble. Gil. Aggy. Evelyn wanted her friends’ immortality broken. That couldn’t happen if the Rudds and Grace got the treasure. What did Vivian need with it? She was already wealthy. “What are you and Grace going to do with the treasure?”
“That is not your concern.” Vivian’s smile was tight. A crack of thunder made them both look up. Vivian started the golf cart again. “If your answer is yes, I’ll expect the missing treasure to be found by tomorrow evening. My grandson Ryan can help you search again. He said you made a good team.”
Benny clenched her teeth. Some team.
“Do we have a deal, dear?” Vivian asked.
Dear. Both Vivian and Grace used the term.
It was meant to sound familiar and warm, but Benny found it condescending.
They looked down on her. They were polished, and clearly wealth was no issue, but they wanted more.
They wanted a treasure that people would kill for.
And they were used to getting what they want.
It was so tempting to say yes.
But even now, if Benny looked out of the corner of her eye, she could imagine the island where a group of people were counting on her to end this. And a pirate, alone on his ship, waiting to finally be freed. Finding the treasure would free them, but giving it up could save her and her mom.
Benny hesitated for a split second, but then she remembered Grams. Don’t let anyone push you around, Guppy.
It was true. Grams didn’t like threats either.
And Benny knew Vivian was not someone who could be bargained with.
Benny looked at Vivian. She may have only been twelve, but she knew things about the world many others her age didn’t.
Benny knew she had to gamble. On herself. On a way to win it all. Her friends and family were depending on her not to lose. So she did the only thing she could think of. She held out her hand and smiled. “Mrs. Rudd, you have a deal.”