Pirate

After a while, Sam sat back, then looked up at Remi. “I thought this guy’s name seemed familiar. I remembered reading about him in Forbes,” he said. “Made his millions raiding corporations. When he’s not buying cash-strapped companies, he fancies himself an expert in maritime salvaging.”

“How is it we’ve never heard of him beyond that?”

“We don’t run in the same circles. And judging from the number of people he’s put out of business, I wouldn’t want to.”

Remi smiled as Bree wandered in, looking somewhat more refreshed from having had a nap. “Feeling better?” Remi asked her.

“Much.”

Sam nodded at a light dinner laid out on the sideboard. “Help yourself. Selma’s made arrangements for you to fly home tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you.” She looked over the paperwork Remi had spread all over the table. “Oak Island? You really think that’s what Larayne was talking about?”

“It’s a logical assumption based on the information given. And the map found in the endpaper certainly resembles the island. Do you know anything about it?”

“The basics. The constant hunt for a seemingly nonexistent treasure after a couple of teenagers dug up some stones and oak logs in the late seventeen hundreds.”

“Seventeen ninety-five,” Remi said. “In fact, starting right around the time Pyrates and Privateers hit the market.”

“Coincidence?” Bree asked.

Sam glanced up from what he was reading to answer. “My opinion? Yes. Personally, I’ve never believed there was any treasure on Oak Island. And the various reports from scientists and engineers who’ve studied it over the years seem to confirm that.”

Bree picked up one of the printouts on the island. “Then why would Avery’s men be headed there? Assuming Charles Avery is behind this.”

“Judging from this,” Sam replied, holding up the papers Selma had sent, “I think we can safely assume he is behind it. As for why they’d go there in search of treasure? Not everyone believes the evidence.”

Remi searched through the many photos on her tablet downloaded from the Pyrates book. When she found the illustration of the map hidden behind the endpaper, she held up the screen for Bree to see, then showed her the actual map of Oak Island. “My opinion, which is not based on any scientific background whatsoever, is that they believe this map in the book bears a strong resemblance to Oak Island.” She glanced at Sam. “You have to admit, this particular map does look like it.”

“It also looks like a lot of other small islands dotting the Atlantic. It would be nice if they had satellite photos back then.”

Remi wasn’t about to be dissuaded. “What about that mysterious cipher stone found in the pit at Oak Island declaring that two million pounds were buried forty feet below?”

“You mean the mysterious stone supposedly found in the pit? One that’s never been seen — never mind the message on it is thought to have been a hoax.”

Remi knew Sam’s dim opinion of any treasure being on Oak Island. “Be that as it may,” she said, “our kidnappers seem to think there’s some reason to head in that direction and so we should brush up on the lore of the island. And if that’s not enough to pique your curiosity, there are several known shipwrecks in the area. The one we’re looking for could very well be there.”

Bree eyed all the papers scattered about on the table, telling Remi, “I’d be glad to help.”

“And we’re glad to accept. Aren’t we Sam?”

“We are.” He smiled at Bree. “Remi’s right. It doesn’t matter what she or I believe. If they’re heading there, there has to be a reason. And considering what they’ve recently put us all through — you especially — I’m making a point to find out what that is.”

Of course, by the time they landed in Nova Scotia, they were no closer to discovering whatever secrets the island held. All they knew for certain was that millions of dollars had been sunk into the Money Pit by numerous groups over the last couple of centuries in the belief that a treasure was buried there. Remi hoped they’d learn something more by actually visiting the island.

The following morning, Bree remained with the crew, insisting that she felt much safer there, while Remi and Sam rented a car and drove the hour from Halifax down to the western shore of Mahone Bay and across the causeway to Oak Island. Selma managed to reserve two spots for them on the tour of the famous Money Pit.

Remi looked over at Sam as they got out of the car. “Do you think this is a good idea with all the tourists?”

He put his arm around her, giving her a reassuring hug. “Those men who came after Bree and Larayne were careful to make sure there were no witnesses. Think about it. If they’re here on this tour — something I find unlikely — I seriously doubt they’ll do anything with so many others around. Safety in numbers.”