Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The camera bobs unsteadily, as though the operator is walking over uneven terrain. Most of the view is nothing but darkness, with the exception of the small pools of illumination made by flashlights.
“I can’t believe Ruthie insisted we lug this thing out here,” Montague grumbles from behind the camera.
The flashlight swings around, though it’s impossible to make out the face of the person holding it. “If we find something, we’ll want it documented,” Robin says. “Would you rather carry the shovels?”
“No.”
“That’s what I thought.”
They walk in silence for several minutes, until they emerge from the living forest onto the first dunes. Robin shines her flashlight around. “Okay, so we need to head north and look for the pond.”
More walking, until they reach the northern tip of the island.
A small pond glints in the beams of light, separated from the ocean by a narrow band of dunes.
“Landward side,” Robin says, as if reciting directions, “then we find the gap where we can see The Cottage’s light though the trees… there. Come here and get a shot of it.”
Montague does as she’s told; a red light glows in the sky, though it’s impossible to make out anything around it. “I swear, if Daddy finds out there was pirate treasure here the whole time and he sold it without knowing, he’s going to freak out.”
“Do you think that’s why the Vanderwalls lied about finding it?”
“Maybe—but then, why would they cover it back up again? Wouldn’t they want to sell it?”
The camera swings back to Robin and the pond.
Robin shrugs. “I don’t know. Gloria says they found it and wouldn’t show anyone, and that’s why she’s flinging books at them.
Her father, on the other hand, just wants everyone gone.
If I had to guess, he sees the treasure as his and doesn’t want to part with it.
” She considers a moment. “Maybe that’s even why Gloria wants it removed.
So he can pass on, and they can both be at peace together in the next world.
But the Vanderwalls didn’t do what she wanted, so now she’s throwing a tantrum. ”
“It makes sense,” Montague agrees. “Let’s get to digging. I hope it isn’t buried too deep.”
She puts down the camera, positioning it so it will capture them working. Robin holds out a shovel to her. “Do you know which end goes in the ground?”
“Excuse me, I love to garden.”
“By which you mean tell the landscapers where to put the flowers.”
Montague laughs, a young, carefree sound. “You know me too well, love.”
Robin grins and they exchange a quick kiss. Then they start digging.
It doesn’t take long. After perhaps five minutes of work, Robin freezes. “Patricia, is that…?”
“No, it…it can’t be.” Montague drops her shovel and kneels in the sand, and Robin follows suit. Both of them dig with their hands, brushing away sand, until Montague jerks back in revulsion. “Oh no. No.”
“There are more. God, how many are there?” Robin stands up and grabs the camera. The picture blurs as she moves it, then comes back into focus.
They’ve uncovered no less than three human skulls.
“What are you—stop filming!” Montague says from off camera. “I said stop!”