Shifting Sands: Tides of Fortune IV by Becker Steven

Author:Becker, Steven
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The White Marlin Press
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

I thought about our circumstances. Being swept into the cenote by the storm was an act of nature, but everything before and after seemed contrived. I had the feeling we were being used, and not just by the mayor, but also by Emanuel. Fortunately, there was no sign of the guide who had followed us. I was still trying to work out the duplicity of everyone involved. The mayor wanted Emanuel off the island, but was clearly scared of Lafitte, which was why he wanted us to do his dirty work. The natives surely knew about the rumors of treasure, and Emanuel was their tool to find it. I figured that was one reason the mayor tolerated Emanuel traipsing across his island and despoiling its sacred places. Every shrine we had seen had been looted. I couldn’t help but worry that we were in danger—especially if we found the treasure. Blue interrupted my thoughts.

“Captain Nick . . .” he started, then hesitated as he looked at the rest of the group who were close by. “There was something in that cave.”

I had spotted him disappearing around a corner, but then was caught up in saving Emanuel.

“There’s the treasure. Six huge crates.”

At the mention of the word, I could feel the group close in on our conversation. Blue was soft-spoken but not always aware of how his voice carried.

“I said nothing because of that man,” he whispered, pointing in Emanuel’s direction. “Do not trust him, Captain Nick.”

I badly wanted to confirm with my own eyes what Blue had seen, for he wasn’t one to voice his opinion often. When he did, I took notice.

I was curious as to what Emanuel had overheard. We were preparing to leave when I noticed he was missing.

“Anyone seen Emanuel?” I called out. They all looked around, but he was gone. Paranoia is a necessary trait of a successful captain, and mine was running high as I realized he had disappeared.

“Blue, can you make a torch?”

He nodded and started scavenging along the waterline. He returned with a piece of driftwood and some dried seaweed that he fashioned into a torch.

“Just have to light the bastard,” he said, striking his flint with the backside of his knife.

The seaweed began to smolder, and I worried it wouldn’t take, but Blue patiently blew the smoke into flames. The cavern was illuminated, and I looked around again for Emanuel. I would have asked the others to search for him, but I already had a good idea where he was.

Blue held the torch, and I followed him. We rounded the corner of the cavern, and the light fell on the chests. They were as Blue described, and anxious to see what they contained, I crossed the uneven floor. Then a shadow caught my eye.

Blue and I turned away from the treasure to see that it was Emanuel. He didn’t hesitate, just disappeared into the dark night. We tried to follow, but the torch hindered our night vision. I knew Blue

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