Page 51 of The Sunken Truth

Towering stacks of grey clouds were gathering at the horizon when Flynn marched down to the harbour. Powerful gusts whipped sea spray into his face as he squinted along the quiet harbour wall. The marine experts must already have left for the wreck site. It took a few minutes for him to spot the elderly man sitting on a bench. He released a relieved breath that he didn’t have to go all the way to Bryher to find him.

“Hello!” Eustace said as Flynn strode up to him. He pointed to the horizon with an indecipherable smile on his face. “Storm clouds.”

Ignoring the statement, Flynn sat beside him. “I told you yesterday that you can’t offer people money for anything found at the shipwreck.”

“I remember. I’m old, not senile.”

“So what made you come down here this morning and make the same offer to the experts heading out there?”

Eustace exhaled heavily. “I’m sorry. I need to get my hands on that gold. It’s very important to me.”

“I’m not sure I was clear yesterday, but failing to hand over artefacts from a shipwreck is a criminal offence. As is selling them.”

“I never intended to keep anything.”

“Maybe not, but it would be an offence for someone to sell it to you.”

“I don’t see it as buying artefacts. I’m merely giving a reward for it.”

“Legally, I think you’d struggle to prove that distinction.”

“I just don’t see the harm in it,” Eustace said.

“For a start, there was an incident yesterday. A diver found something and then had his air hose cut. It could have been very serious. And all because you’ve given people the idea they can make some quick money.”

“The air hose was cut?” Eustace’s eyes narrowed, the already wrinkled skin around them, crinkling even more. “By who?”

“Nobody saw.”

“Goodness,” Eustace said, his low voice filled with wonder. “He was right.”

“Who was right? About what?”

“Grandfather. I always believed him, of course, but…” His eyes snapped to Flynn. “What was found at the wreck? Gold?”

“Some sort of metal box. We’re not sure.”

“It wasn’t recovered?”

“Not yet.” He paused, wondering what had become of it. “At least not that we know of.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“No. Thankfully it was an experienced diver, and they knew what to do. But it could have ended badly. So you can see the problems it causes – you offering rewards.”

“It’s the curse,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“The gold is cursed.” Eustace shook his head. “That’s why I wanted it. Grandfather told me I needed to make sure it always stayed where it is.”

With great effort, Flynn refrained from rolling his eyes. “I don’t quite follow.”

“I was never going to hand the gold in. If it was found, I was going to throw it back into the sea, where it belongs.”

“And yet you were offering an incentive for people to find it?” Flynn said, trying to take the conversation seriously.

“Someone’s going to find it. When they do, I need them to bring it to me.”