Page 53 of The Sunken Truth

“The trouble the diver got into.”

“You think that was down to this supposed curse?”

“I could spend all morning telling you the tragedies that befell my relatives – then you probably wouldn’t have such a difficult time believing that something on the seabed is jinxed.”

Flynn took a calming breath. “I’m afraid I don’t have time to listen to any more stories. And I think you know I can’t steal any archaeological finds for you. Or help you steal it.”

“No, I don’t suppose you can. It was worth a try, though.”

“I really need you to stop offering people money for the gold,” Flynn said, standing.

“Yes, yes. Okay.”

“Promise?” Flynn said, not sure there was actually much he could say to convince him.

“I promise,” he said, extending his hand.

Flynn shook it, hoping that would be the end of it.

Chapter Twenty-Two

A message camethrough from Lily when Flynn walked through Hugh Town towards Kurt’s place. He hit dial, figuring it was easier to tell her about his encounter with Eustace than type it out. Pausing, he looked between the buildings to the massive clouds stacked on the horizon and threatening to break the calm at any moment.

“Did you find Eustace?” Lily asked, her eager voice making him smile.

“Yes. He spent a while talking more about his family history. Including pirates.”

“I knew there’d be pirates in his story, eventually. Maybe I need to visit him so I can hear the story too.”

“It gets better,” Flynn said with a sigh. “Pirates stole the bulk of the gold, but Captain Tremayne kept a bit for himself…”

“That’s what Eustace wants from the shipwreck?”

“Yes. And he admitted he has no intention of handing it in.”

“He wants to keep it?”

“He wants to throw it back into the sea.”

The laughter from Lily would have made him smile at any other time, but as he relayed the conversation, all he could think of was the superintendent and what he’d make of it all.

“Why does he want to throw it in the sea?” Lily asked, voice laced with amusement.

“He thinks it’s cursed.”

“No way!” Lily said, delighted. “This story gets better and better.”

“Except he seems genuine. He attributes Ryan’s hose being cut to the curse.”

“Like a ghost did it? Like Seren said?”

“I have no idea. He thinks bad things happen around the gold.”

“Maybe we should write this down. It’d make a good children’s story.”

Flynn exhaled a frustrated breath.

“What’s wrong?”