The Alaska Job: (A Case Lee Novel Book 12) by Vince Milam

Author:Vince Milam [Milam, Vince]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TRG, Inc.
Published: 2023-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

We checked into a small three-story hotel in downtown Anchorage with a dark cellar bar—our relocated base of operations. I’d visited Anchorage four or five times over the years, and it now resembled a bright, modern city with three-hundred-thousand folks and many of the rough edges I’d experienced in the past ground down. With forty percent of the state’s population, it didn’t carry as much of the last-frontier feel it once did. The views remained the same—spectacular. Nestled against Cook Inlet with its dramatic twenty-five-foot tide changes, you could view the awesome snowcapped Chugach, Talkeetna, and Tordrillo Mountains where, in their roadless isolation, the last frontier thrived. It never failed to bowl me over, and it highlighted the state’s vastness.

I called Sam from my room and explained events.

“Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! Discovering the treasure fleet’s relocation spot is a minor miracle. Well done, Case. Well done.”

While I appreciated Sam’s excitement, the mission—find the treasure—remained unfulfilled. Once the thrill on Unalaska had worn off—a legitimate and potent rush—I couldn’t shake hard reality. We’d dug a hole and found ancient wooden chest remnants. No loot.

“Think about it,” Sam said. “China, Korea, the Aleutian Islands, and now somewhere on the mainland. You’ve uncovered a remarkable trail.”

He went on and explained treasure hunting’s essence—fits and starts and hopes for indicators, seeking confirmation you were on the right track. For a treasure-seeking neophyte like me, those benchmarks shined less bright, but I kept such thoughts to myself. No point flinging a wet blanket on our progress.

“And as more confirmation,” he said, “the Chinese and Russians wouldn’t be interested if they had recovered the treasure at some point in the past. Tell me about the encounters on Unalaska.”

I did, left out the grisly parts, and touched on our encounter with the Russians as them showing interest but observing from afar. Same with the MSS spook, which at least was true. I wouldn’t provide Sam with knowledge that might get him in hot water.

“It was weird,” I said. “The Russians arrived out of the blue, which tells me Marton Kardos jumped the Chinese ship and landed on board with the Russians. Does Kardos think he’s invulnerable? I mean, the Chicoms won’t proclaim no worries, and move on.”

“You got me. I haven’t dabbled in the clandestine world like you have. I do know Kardos won’t quit. As for the Chinese and Russians, who knows?”

I knew, and told him so.

“We’ve gotta look at them through an opaque window, Sam. Neither will quit, but I can’t see them putting in a huge effort since things have moved onto the mainland.”

“From a safety perspective, how active will they be? I’m not paying you to put your butt on the line. If indicators point toward violence, walk away. You and Bo both.”

I again sidestepped the rough-and-tumble aspect, viewed in the rearview mirror at this point. A can of worms best left unopened.

“Well, my main question is what would you like us to do? I’m burning up your cash with not a helluva lot to show for it.

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