Wait Until Dark: Carolina Moon Series, Book 3 Page 13

  “Now, what can I do for you?” Walter hiked up his pant legs before sitting in a stiff-looking chair across from them.

  “How far back does your family’s history in this area actually go?” Felicity started, knowing she needed to be careful. Otherwise, her whole cover story would be blown. She also needed some way of figuring out if Magnum had stopped by here earlier. Walter hadn’t given any indications of other visitors.

  “It goes back centuries. In fact, this has been my family’s home for years. It’s been built and rebuilt a couple of times. I could’ve moved, but I like staying in touch with my heritage.”

  “I’m particularly interested in Blackbeard and his role in this area. Did your family ever hand down any stories to you about him? I know two centuries is a considerable amount of time, but some stories have lasted longer.”

  He chuckled and leaned back. “Funny you ask that. Blackbeard stories were abundant in my family.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well, I don’t know how true this is, but legend has it that I’m related to Jacob Winsome, the first mate of the infamous Edward Teach.”

  Felicity’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that right? I thought his first mate was Israel Hands.”

  “He was. For a while. I realize that Jacob Winsome is not as well-known, but there are two separate documents that mention Jacob Winsome. He became an honest man after Blackbeard was beheaded, and he settled down right here in Bath. On this very property, in fact.”

  “Interesting.”

  “I’m not saying it’s totally true, but it’s made for some good stories. Would you like to see some of the items that have been handed down to me over the years?”

  Felicity glanced at Brody. “We’d love to.”

  “Follow me then.”

  He shuffled toward a back bedroom. Her spine pinched as they walked. Was this a trap? Was she being too trusting, something that had gotten her in trouble on more than one occasion? At least Brody was here with her, in case things really went south.

  When they stopped in a bedroom full of display cases and antique-looking trunks, she let out a breath. There was no one here. Just objects full of history and sentimental value.

  Walter proceeded to show them old bullets and arrowheads and jewelry. There were glass dishes, a can of snuff, and an old porcelain bull. Most interesting to Felicity was an old gun—the same style that Blackbeard may have used. In fact, it may have even dated back to his time. However, she saw no evidence that it would offer any answers or clues.

  Most of the items he showed them, though interesting, didn’t relate to this case at all.

  What was she missing? Why had Magnum wanted to come here?

  “Have you ever had any of this appraised?” Felicity asked, picking up a delicate-looking plate.

  Walter shrugged. “Nah. I never want to sell it, so why do I care how much it’s worth?”

  “Good point.” But she’d guess a lot of it was worth quite a bit. Not enough to gain Magnum’s interest, however. “Most of this probably doesn’t relate back to Blackbeard. I’d guess it to be Depression Era.”

  She let out a sigh. She didn’t see anything that would lead her close to figuring out what Magnum might have wanted.

  “My Annabeth used to love antiques.” His eyes filled with tears. “She left me two years ago. A heart attack. Didn’t even have a chance.”

  Compassion squeezed Felicity’s heart. She reached toward Walter and clasped his hand. “I’m so sorry. I know how brutal grief can be.”

  He nodded, his eyes still wet. “At least there’s the promise of heaven, right? Where we’ll be reunited.”

  Her throat went dry. Wouldn’t that reassurance be nice? What would it be like to believe in an afterlife? In a purpose for the pain? That this world wasn’t our final stop?

  She cleared her throat and squatted by one of the trunks. She looked at several of the items hoping something would click in her mind.

  As she rocked back on her heels, the chest caught her eye. The details on it were extraordinary. Leather dome. Brass studs. Iron handles. French, if she had to guess from looking at the design.

  “What do you know about this chest?” she asked.

  Walter lowered himself into an antique chair. “It’s been in the family for years.”

  “May I take everything out of this to examine it?” she asked.

  Walter stared at her for several minutes before finally nodding. “I suppose. Just don’t break anything.”

  With Brody’s help, she carefully unloaded vases, plates, and old photos. When that was done, she stared at the empty box. It was lined with flowered-fabric panels that had probably been added within the past several decades.

  She leaned closer and saw something sticking out from beneath one. “Walter, it looks like there’s something under this panel at the bottom. Do you know what?”

  “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.” He leaned from his chair to examine it.

  She rested her hand atop it. “Would you mind?”

  “Can you put it back together?”

  “I can. And if I can’t, I know someone who can.” She was fortunate to know some of the best in the business.

  “I’ll say yes, but only because I’m curious.”

  Carefully, she tugged the panel’s bottom. Her chest tightened when she realized she could be destroying a potentially valuable antique. But there was something beneath it. She only hoped it wasn’t simply a design feature.

  A slight tremble captured her hands as she grasped the paper and pulled it away. Excitement tinged her blood as she flattened its creases.

  As she spotted the text on the other side, her hopes deflated. “It’s just an old newspaper. It was a longshot, right?

  “Look at this, Felicity.” Brody pointed to something at the bottom of the chest. “The bottom isn’t welded to the rest of the chest.”

  Her heart raced for another moment. “It’s not?”

  She peered into the chest. He was right. The bottom wasn’t welded into the rest of the chest. “That’s . . . amazing.”

  “I’ll say,” Walter said, looking over their shoulders.

  Coincidence? Maybe. But it was worth checking out.

  Brody pulled out a pocketknife and gently pried the bottom off. Beneath the metallic bottom was a paper. She pulled it out, careful not to rip the delicate parchment any further. There already appeared to be a tear on the right side.

  Gently, she opened the folds.

  Her pulse spiked when she saw the drawing on the other side. It was a map. An old map of North Carolina.

  “Well, what do you know?” Walter clucked his tongue. “All these years, and I never knew it was there.”

  “Look at this—it’s made of hand-laid paper,” Felicity said, holding the map up to the light.

  “What’s that mean?” Walter asked.

  “Back before 1800, paper was made by hand, not machine. Someone had to pour paper pulp into a wooden frame. The bottom had cross-hatched wire mesh, which left a pattern in the paper. You can see it here.”

  “Those close together thin lines that cross every inch or so?” Walter asked.

  Felicity nodded. “They’re called chain marks, and they look a little like the weave of a rug.”

  “So you’re saying this is potentially two centuries old?” Walter asked.

  She nodded, her heart racing with excitement. “That’s right. But it’s only part of a map. I wonder where the rest is?”

  “That’s a good question.”

  Felicity looked at Walter. “Is there any way we could borrow this?”

  “Borrow it? What would you want to do with an old map?”

  “I think this could be very useful to my research. I’ll even give you a one hundred dollar deposit. If we don’t bring it back, the cash is all yours.”

  “I was going to give it to you for free,” he muttered. “But I’ll take one hundred dollars as a deposit. Seems reasonable.”

 
; Brody shifted beside her. “Walter, has anyone else stopped by looking for this?”

  He shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I went to stay at my sister’s house. I only got back ten minutes before you arrived.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Brody’s interest in this quest was growing by the moment. He hated to admit it, but it was true. There was something going on here—something that had captured his curiosity.

  Felicity sat beside him in the truck as they bounced down the road. The map was in her hands, and she studied it with intensity. Her hair was still back in a bun and she wore her glasses. She looked smart—and adorable.

  “The waterways have changed,” she muttered. “Subtly. I mean, the shorelines around here are always shifting with storms, and maps back then weren’t drawn using satellites like they are now. But this is fascinating.”

  “I’m glad you think so. Any idea what it means?”

  “Not yet.”

  He glanced in his rearview mirror, and his spine stiffened. The same Jeep had been behind them for the past five minutes. Coincidence? Maybe. But he didn’t think so.

  He wouldn’t tell Felicity about it yet. He wanted to be certain first.

  He had to be careful anyway. The roads here were shaded, which meant the sun wasn’t hitting the snow and melting the icy spots.

  “Magnum must have thought this was somehow connected with Blackbeard’s treasure,” Felicity muttered. “But how? There’s no X marks the spot.”

  “Maybe you need the other half of the map to see that part.”

  She shook her head. “What if this really did belong to Blackbeard’s lesser known first mate? That’s a fascinating idea.”

  “I don’t know about that. But I agree that it looks antique.” He glanced in his mirror again. The Jeep was still there.

  Spontaneously, he turned down a side street.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking a scenic byway,” he muttered.

  Felicity glanced behind her. “We’re being followed, aren’t we?”

  His jaw flexed. “Maybe.”

  She looked behind her and gasped as she registered the vehicle. “What if it’s Magnum or one of his men?”

  “He wants this map.” Her fingers visibly tightened on the map. “This is significant. There’s something about this map that’s valuable—in more ways than one.”

  “We have bigger issues at the moment than figuring out that map,” Brody said. “He’s gaining on us.”

  “He can’t get this.”

  “Right now I’m going to focus on staying alive.”

  She nodded a little too quickly. “Good idea.”

  As Brody accelerated down the small two-lane road, Felicity pulled out her phone and began taking pictures of the map. “Just in case,” she said. “I want to be able to study this.”

  “I don’t plan on letting Magnum take it.”

  “All of this isn’t worth risking anyone’s life. I’m not sure Magnum feels the same way.”

  “Let’s see what we can do here.” He watched the speedometer climb higher. As he did, the vehicle behind him also accelerated. This could turn ugly. And dangerous. He prayed that neither of those came to fruition, but this whole scenario had already been set in motion.

  The Jeep remained directly on their tail now. Any closer, and they’d collide.

  If Brody went any faster, he could lose control of the truck. But it seemed the best of his options right now.

  “Hold on,” he muttered.

  Felicity stashed the map beneath the seat and gripped the armrests. Her face had gone pale, but he didn’t have time to dwell on that now. He needed to figure a way out of this situation.

  “We’re going to die,” Felicity squealed.

  “No one’s going to die.” But he needed a plan. And he needed it quickly.

  He scanned the road ahead of him. As he did, the Jeep rammed him.

  His truck veered toward the ditch on the other side of the road.

  He gripped the wheel, desperate to remain in control. He managed to right the vehicle, but he knew time was of the essence.

  A sharp curve loomed ahead. He had to use this for his advantage. He prayed it would work.

  “What are you doing? We’re going to hit that tree!” Felicity said.

  “Trust me.”

  “Trust you? I hardly know you.” She squeezed her eyes shut.

  Just as she did, Brody jerked the wheel. The truck spun, the back swerving around in forward motion until they were facing the opposite direction.

  The Jeep rushed past, unable to brake in time. It crashed into the ditch.

  Brody hit the accelerator and sped away.

  Magnum—or one of his men who was doing his dirty work—was going to have to tend to his own wounds.

  Because stopping now would put Felicity’s life on the line, and he wasn’t willing to risk that.

  Felicity’s heart pounded in her ears. In her chest. In her throat.

  Sweat sprinkled across her forehead, and her fingers wouldn’t release themselves from the armrests.

  Her life had flashed before her eyes, more than once.

  Magnum was determined to get this map. To do whatever it took to get what he wanted. And that was a dangerous trait to have.

  Her life was now on the line, as well as Brody’s. How had all of this happened? She’d simply been minding her own business. Trying to escape her past. Recuperate from her failure.

  And all of this trouble had crashed into her life.

  “You okay?” Brody glanced at her from the driver’s seat.

  She nodded, though the action felt tight and unnatural. “I’m . . . fine. I think.”

  “We need to lie low. This isn’t going to stop Magnum. I don’t know what will.”

  She nodded, grateful to have Brody to lean on. She would have never survived that on her own. He’d been there for her more than once, and that fact hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  “What now?” she asked.

  “A friend of mine has a hunting cabin near Belhaven,” Brody said. “We can use that as a home base. That will buy us some time.”

  “Until what?” She glanced at his strong profile.

  He shrugged. “Until we figure out our next move.”

  “Our?” His words surprised her. She figured he’d want to get rid of her as soon as possible.

  He cast a side-glance at her. “I’m in this now, whether I want to be or not.”

  “I guess we both are. I didn’t ask for any of this either.”

  “If you’d given the key to me . . .” he reminded her.

  She frowned, guilt pounding at her. “You’re right. I’m sorry. You can drop me off, and wash your hands of this. You’ve done enough. Maybe you should hide away a few days until this blows over.”

  “You really think I’m going to send you out on your own? You’re crazy.”

  “You don’t owe me anything. You don’t even know me.”

  “I know enough.” His voice sounded surprisingly raspy and sincere.

  “What’s that mean?” She hardly wanted to ask, especially since she felt hope growing inside her: hope of something more, hope for something deeper.

  “I know you’re determined. I know you’re not going to let this drop. I know Magnum knows who you are, and he’s going to keep coming after you.”

  “That all sounds like my problem, not yours.”

  He sighed. “Look, I have some time off. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you. Besides, it’s my job to help people.”

  “On the water. We’re not on the water.”

  He rubbed his jaw before narrowing his eyes at her. “Are you really going to keep arguing with me?”

  Her cheeks flushed. Why was she being so stubborn? She knew: Life was easier when you didn’t rely on anyone but yourself. When no one could let you down or betray you.

  “I just want to give you every opportunity to get out of this now while you can,” she final
ly said.

  “I think I’ve made it clear that I’m in. Whether you like it or not.”

  She nodded, her spine stiffening as stubborn instincts urged her to keep arguing. Deep inside, she knew there was no use. Besides, she needed Brody’s help, whether she liked it or not, as Brody was so fond of saying. “Fine. Have it your way. But don’t say I didn’t give you the opportunity to bail.”

  Brody unlocked the small cabin using a key that was hidden under a rock by the front door. He stepped inside, and a musty smell enveloped him. No one had been here in a while, and the place had been sealed up. It wasn’t ideal necessarily, but it would work.

  Felicity walked in behind him, her arms drawn over her chest. She seemed uncomfortable. That was good. She shouldn’t relax. There was too much on the line.

  “I’d try to do the polite thing and offer you some sweet iced tea, but that’s not going to happen right now. But you can have a seat if you’d like,” Brody said.

  Frowning, she lowered herself onto the couch with the map still clutched in one hand. Leaving her coat on, she held the map up and began studying it again, as if she might see something this time that she didn’t before.

  As she examined it, he went into the small kitchenette and found enough supplies to make some coffee. He started a pot, knowing the hot drink would help keep them warm. The temperatures would drop as the night continued to grow deeper and darker.

  With the coffee percolating, he started a fire in the old stone-covered fireplace in the corner. Keeping himself busy gave Felicity some time to think. He didn’t know her that well, but he sensed she liked space to process things, and he wanted to respect that.

  With the fire warming the room, he poured two cups of coffee and set them on the table in front of Felicity. He sat beside her and studied the map.

  He’d never been involved in a situation like this, and he needed to carefully consider his options.

  Giving up and handing everything over made it seem like they’d be letting a bully win. Everything in him fought against that. But he had to think about Felicity’s safety also. This couldn’t be about winning. It had to be about being smart.

  “We’ve got to find the other part of this map,” Felicity announced, a wrinkle between her eyes. She slipped off her coat, then her glasses, and pulled her hair out of the bun.