True Treasure: Real - Life History Mystery Read online

  “I hear pirates black their eyes and use broad swords rather than rapiers.”

  You know they say, “The thicker the blade the thicker the-”

  “That is why the English have always preferred broad swords,” Captain Bennett interrupted.

  ”Touché.”

  They both laughed at their jokes at the expense of the French.

  ***

  Later in the evening came the call of, “Land ho!”

  A knock at the door of Captain Bennett’s stateroom woke him from his light sleep.

  “Yes?” he called out.

  A cabin boy entered the still dark room, “Captain? The island is in sight.”

  “Skirt around it quietly. Who has the night watch?”

  “Grimly does, sir.”

  “Pull four others to watch and listen as we pass the island. Have the officer in charge on deck head into the port of the mainland for now.”

  “Yes sir.”

  It was best to move as quickly and quietly around the island as fast as they could while they were under the cover of darkness. Of course, the pirates would have to be dealt with once they began the survey of the islands. First he preferred to pull into the port on the mainland and gather some more information on the pirates.

  How many, modes of attack, where they were expected to be hiding. A good defense was always a prepared offense. Know your enemy. Decimating the pirates may be a way to curry further favor with the King.

  At dawn, the ship approached the port city of Drake Bay named for Sir Francis Drake who had discovered it some three hundred years before. It was breathtaking. The tops of the mountain peaks shot through a carpet of wispy clouds. Broad waterfalls, with whitewater could be seen even from this distance. Tiered groves of coffee and cocoa berry trees climbed the steppes of the lower mountain sides, which led down into the buildings of the town. No wonder the pirates made the Cocos Island and those nearby their home. Everything a man could want was located in this port town. Captain Bennett looked down into the crystal clear water and saw a turtle as massive as a barrel drift by. The abundance of sea life was astounding. And yes, the sharks, as long as a Jon boat, glided by with regularity. The waters appeared almost as inviting as the shore town. While he'd heard rumors of sharks attacking, he'd never seen one go for a human. Part of him wondered if this was a rumor hyped to keep those who would search for the pirates or their ill-gotten goods—away.

  The scenes and wildlife were almost unbelievable in their symphony of colors. He really needed to arrange for paintings to be made. Full color, as black and white charcoal drawings could not begin to express the beauty surrounding his ship. It was almost like they had entered a dream world. Yes, as soon as he landed, he would arrange for an artist to accompany them on their survey of the coast and the islands. King George must have an understanding of what a jewel this foreign land was in his crown.

  ***

  Captain Graham walked into the town admiring the variety of the food stuffs and crafts for sale among the various street vendors. An older dark woman, tanned to a leathery complexion from years in the sun, flashed him a toothless smile and held out a sample of a gourdlike fruit with pale yellow flesh, “Pah-pie-ya,” she repeated slowly, “Pah pie ya.”

  He took a bite. Sweetness with the flavor of a mix of peach and orange filled his mouth, “Good, good,” he nodded back. He fished in his pocket for spare pence and gave her one. She lifted one of the fruit off her pile and gave it to him. He laughed and took the fruit, tucking it under his arm.

  He came upon a pub called The Drunken Goat and ducked inside. The barkeep nodded to him, “Sir, we have fine rums, shrub, wine, beer, ale, or Sangree. What would be your pleasure?”

  “I'll have a shrub.”

  “A fine choice.”

  The barkeeper poured some rum, sugar, squeezed a lemon, and another citrus he didn't recognize into his mug. He stirred it and slid it to Captain Graham as he laid his money on the bar. The drink was surprisingly refreshing. Just the thing to hit the spot after a long voyage. This land was beginning to grow on him. The warm weather, the friendly natives, and the streets teeming with royal subjects all lent a dream like quality to his experience so far.

  “Where can I find an artist to paint landscapes and the various creatures that populate this land?” he asked of the barkeep.

  “You want to inquire at the Clear Waters Inn. They have paintings hanging around the public rooms by the best young men in the area. You might find something to suit your needs there.”

  “Pirates. What can you tell me of the pirates?”

  The barkeep burped into the back of his hand, then scratched his neck. “They stick to the Isla del Cocos. Aye, there be pirates hanging around town. Not often. They have pigs, and goats, and whores on their island, so not much of a reason to come here. If they are caught, they hang. Reason enough to stick to their hidy holes out on the islands. But every now and again, they will check out the town to see what they might be missing and to pick up rumors of which ships might be carrying gold.”

  “How many? How well armed?”

  He shrugged, “Hundred? Maybe two. They kill each other. They will kill a man for his gold. There is a bounty on their heads.” He gestured towards the back wall, “There be the current posters of those scallywags and the rewards posted for their capture.”

  Captain Graham took his drink to the back wall to peruse the drawings of the pirates. He committed them to memory.

  “Have another?” The bartender asked.

  “No, not today. I have business to attend to. Good day and thank you for your hospitality.”

  The bartender nodded and went back to polishing his tankards.

  The Captain headed in the direction of the Clear Waters Inn. He didn't plan on being on shore longer than it took to stock up with the necessary provisions the men would need for the first leg of their survey trip of the coast.

  The inn itself was built in the colonial tropical tradition. The building was surrounded by large verandahs with sitting chairs looking at the view of the bay. Large windows with bimini shutters to let in the breezes lined the walls. Tied up rolls of mosquito cloth that would be let down in the early evening framed the porches and the windows. The main room had wood floors covered by imported carpets. The door to the house proper from the porch was wide open, so he walked right in. He could see the artwork hung on the walls. Colorful and true to life. He saw a bird of paradise with white flowers contrasted against those of orange and purple. He moved closer to look at the brush strokes. Every nuance of the sunlight and shade stood out. A drop of moisture on a leaf looked so real he raised his hand to wipe it away, and realized just before he touched the painting, the water droplet wasn’t real. It was just an optical illusion created by the artist. Another was of a bright red bird. The bird was huge, the size of a large parrot. The bird was partially hidden in foliage and so skillfully painted, it had depth and appeared real. You felt as if you were looking at it through a window frame and not into the flat surface of a painting.

  A voice behind him spoke, “The painting has thirteen bugs hidden throughout the flowers. Can you find them?”

  Captain Graham turned to face the voice. A small man wearing spectacles smiled back at him.

  “I hadn’t noticed,” he answered.

  “Look again.” The man walked over and smiled.

  He took a moment to concentrate on the foliage surrounding the bird.

  “Ah, yes, here is a lady bug, and there is a butterfly, another, a cricket, a yellow grasshopper—do they really grow that big here?”

  The bespectacled man stood next to him holding his hands together clasped behind his back, “Yes, indeed they do. I have not found all thirteen myself, only twelve, but the artist is rather stubborn and will not disclose which one I am missing.”

  “Are you sure he is not playing a trick on you?”

  The man chuckled, “Oh yes, honesty is a trait this artist has in abundance.”

  “I am
sorry, I have not introduced myself. I am Captain Bennett Graham, commander of the HMS Devonshire.”

  “And I am Charles Upham, proprietor of The Clear Waters Inn.”

  “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise.”

  “I am here on official business for His Majesty King George. I have orders to survey the coast and the islands off Costa Rica. I would like to hire this artist to supply renderings of the shoreline’s more dramatic scenery and of the flora and fauna we encounter, which is unique to this territory. The King must have a full accounting of his resources in this colony.”

  “A worthy endeavor.”

  “Quite. Yes.” Captain Graham leaned in to note the signature on the painting M. Welch. “I think the King would be pleased with this particular artist’s work. I must insist on impressing Mr. Welch into service for his King. He will be handsomely rewarded for his work, of course.”

  “I’m afraid it won’t be possible.”

  Captain Graham turned to face Mr. Upham, “Does M. Welch reside nearby?”

  “Why yes, but—”

  “Then please see to it he receives this commission letter and let him decide for himself. You do realize it could be considered an act of treason to not serve the King when one is called...”

  “Yes, but—”

  “There is nothing further to discuss. Mr. Welch will report to the HMS Devonshire within the next two days or I will send my soldiers to arrest him.”

  “If you insist...”

  “On behalf of His Majesty, I insist.”

  “Very well, I will deliver your—order.” Mr. Upham smiled and tilted his head as Captain Graham bowed his, then walked to the door, his business done.

  As the captain walked down the road toward the docks, Mr. Upham let out a high pitched laugh, “I wish I could see his face when he meets Mr. Welch!” He laughed again as he slid the letter into his pocket.

  ***

  Mr. Upham pulled his carriage up to the door of the Welch Hacienda. The head maid Magdela showed him into the parlor. “I’m here to see Mr. Welch or Mrs. Welch. It is rather urgent,” he said with a smile on his face.

  Magdela beckoned him to have a seat. In broken English she said, “Mr. Welch is no here, out in the new cocoa field. Mrs. Welch is sick, baby make her sick.”

  “Oh, oh yes, I’d quite forgotten she was in the family way,” Mr. Upham said slowly and loudly as if that would help Magdela, who was a Costa Rican native who spoke broken Spanish and very little English as Cabecar was her native tongue, understand.

  “I get Miss Mary.”

  “Mr. Upham nodded his head in agreement, “Miss Mary? That would be fine, gracias.”

  “Gracias,” Magdela answered as she ducked out of the room.

  A few minutes later, Mary rushed into the room, “Did you sell one of my paintings?”

  Mr. Upham laughed and pulled the letter out of his pocket. “This is delightful, and I am not quite sure what to do about it.”

  Mary read the letter, a puzzled look on her face. “This says I am commanded to join a survey expedition by order of King George? Is this a joke?”

  “Oh, no, no,” Mr. Upham said, nervously holding his hat in his hands, “Well, yes, it is rather humorous, but when Captain Graham saw your paintings he naturally assumed you were a man. So he is expecting Mr. Welch to show up! It is clearly a misunderstanding...”

  “But why did you not tell him I am a woman?”

  “Well, I suppose you have to meet the Captain to understand, but he is not the kind of man you tell—I mean he commands and you answer, and well—so there it is...he thinks you are a—man.” Mr. Upham sighed. “It is rather funny.”

  Mary paced back and forth pondering what to do. The thought of going was absurd. On a navy ship to survey the coastline! They would never let her onboard once they knew she was a girl. And of course, her parents would never allow it. But could they stop her? Mother was sick, and father was gone...

  What if she told Magdela to pack a bag for herself, she could serve as her chaperone. If the captain stopped her before she got onboard, well then it was not meant to be...but if by some miracle she did get onboard, she’d have her chaperone, her work, and an adventure. It would serve her parents right for not allowing her to go to England with a proper escort. She made up her mind. She would report as told. After all, she had the letter ordering her to appear.

  “I will go.”

  “What?...What?”

  “Do not worry, Mr. Upham. I will take Magdela as a chaperone. We would not want to disappoint the King of England now, would we?”

  “Yes! I mean, no.” Mr. Upham put on his hat. “I really do have to go. Oh, and the missing thirteenth bug is a lady bug isn’t it?”

  “So you finally saw it?”

  “No, but Captain Graham noticed it right away.”

  “He did, did he? Well, this Captain Graham who commanded and was observant enough to find the hardest of the hidden bugs, but not willing to listen enough to find out the painter was a woman, will be an interesting character to meet.” She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he realized M. Welch was her. She was sure it would be a moment he would never forget. And she was right.

  *

  ***

  *****

  ***

  *

  CHAPTER 2

  Keiko and Julian, Present time

  “Have you picked out the resort, yet?” Keiko asked Julian as she flipped through the pages of the catalog they'd gotten from the travel agent. It contained photos of crystal clear waters, white sand, and deserted stretches of beaches. Couples in swimsuits were toasting each other with tropical colored drinks, looking romantically into each other’s eyes as the sun shined behind them.

  Julian came up behind her clasping her around the waist. “I don’t care, as long as you're happy. But try to pick one with a cute little masseuse who can walk on my back.”

  “We’re only married for two weeks and you already want someone on your back? Lay down on the bed and I’ll give it a shot.”

  Julian kissed her behind the ear and laughed. “Just kidding.”

  “How about this one? It’s the closest one to both of the most likely islands.”

  “Couples only? All-inclusive?” Julian read out loud.

  “Of course,” Keiko answered.

  “No offense, but I don’t want someone else’s rug rats running up on the beach and dripping ice cream on my back. I only think of it, because that’s something I would have done as a kid.” Julian added.

  Keiko dropped the catalog and turned in Julian’s arms to face him. She casually lifted her arms to encircle his neck and lightly caressed him, “Don’t worry, I plan on keeping you busy so you won’t be getting much time to just laze around on the beach.”

  “Wonderful,” Julian said as he kissed Keiko behind her ear. Keiko gave him the kiss he’d been waiting for.

  When they pulled back for a breath Julian said, “Now that’s what I’m looking forward to having more of.”

  Keiko pulled away and said, “Later. We have to pick out a place to stay and make the reservation.” Keiko picked up the catalog she’d tossed aside. Julian came up and tried to pull her back in for another kiss.

  Keiko laughed and playfully pushed him away, “How can you think about only one thing when there are three hundred and fifty tons of buried gold treasure out there and we have the map to its location?”

  “Have you ever tried to kiss a piece of gold? It doesn’t kiss back.”

  “Be serious. I know we can find the treasure. I know it! I feel it in my bones. Just think, when we find the treasure how much good it will do. Not only for the people of Costa Rica, but for the Smithsonian.”

  “Don’t you think the Spanish will be making a claim too?”

  “Of course they will! But with three hundred and fifty tons of it, even if they split it three ways, it’s going to do some good.”

  “You know the Vatican may even put
in a claim, some of the treasure came out of Catholic churches.”

  “Okay, so four ways. Let’s say five just in case you’re forgetting an interested claimant.”

  Keiko flipped through the catalog again. “I am thinking though, you’re right. We should stay at an all-inclusive couple’s resort.”

  “Why am I suddenly right?”

  “When we show up and rent a boat to take us to the islands with our equipment the captain and the people at the docks are going to know what we’re doing.”

  “If anyone decides to follow us, they’ll be easier to pick out if we’re staying with a bunch of people who are only interested in having romantic getaways and honeymoons.”

  “We will be on our honeymoon, and I hope it’s a romantic getaway.”

  “Well, it will be,” Keiko said, “but I know you. You're looking forward to the treasure hunt as much as I am.”

  “Yeah, who cares if the islands are surrounded by man-eating sharks and nefarious pirates who might try and rob us?” Julian joked.

  “Stop being so pessimistic. You’re all muscle,” Keiko said as she ran her hands up Julian’s sculptured biceps. “Way too tough for the sharks. I bet they don’t want anything to do with humans. Don’t people go diving with sharks all the time?”

  “Keiko?”

  “Yes?”

  “Sharks don’t know anything about humans. What they know and eat—is meat.”

  Keiko laughed, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. I’m not afraid of sharks.”

  “I hope those words don’t come back to bite us.” Julian said under his breath as he let Keiko go. He picked up the catalog and said, “I’ll make the reservations. Pack light and bring an extra suitcase. We’ll need it for the gold.”

  “Funny guy,” Keiko said as she walked past him toward the bedroom. “I wonder what would be the airline extra baggage charge on three hundred and fifty tons of gold?”

  Julian stopped what he was doing for a few seconds and calculated in his head, “Only about seven million dollars.”

  “Really? Bring your credit card.”

  Julian said, “So what’s your plan once we are there?”

  “I’m glad you asked. Come into my office. I’ve got it all laid out. I’ve been working on this the last three nights while you were at the recording studio working on your Cherokee game app. I’ve been saving it for a surprise.” Keiko’s eyes twinkled with excitement as she grabbed Julian’s free hand, and opened one of the double doors which led into the room that used to be Keiko’s father’s office.