“We spoke with a few people down at Barnacles today. Curtis Leon, Peg Hart, and Josh Moore.”
Tillman nodded, rolling a pen between his thumb and index finger.
“Seems that Curtis was already aware of Cassidy’s death.”
“Yes, he was having breakfast with Glen Porter, Cassidy’s employer, when I went down to speak with Glen.”
“Were you aware they are amateur treasure hunters?”
“I vaguely knew,” Tillman replied. “I know Peg—she owns her own boat. I’ve heard a few stories about the four of them going out to search for sunken treasure.”
Jun leaned back in his chair, crossing his long legs and seeming completely at ease. “Peg mentioned a diary that Cassidy had, about Captain Rogers.”
Tillman narrowed his eyes. “I’m not familiar with this man.”
“He was captain of a merchant vessel from 1854 to 1871,” I piped up.
Tillman looked at me. “Let me guess. The skeleton is Rogers and he killed Cassidy?”
“I think the skeleton might actually be Smith,” I corrected. “Thanks, though.”
Jun cleared his throat.
I didn’t roll my eyes, but man, I came close to it. “Cassidy got the diary because it mentions Smith and One-Eyed Jack supposedly being one and the same, and I told you yesterday how hell-bent he was about proving me wrong. The point is, that diary was stolen a year ago from a museum in St. Augustine.”
“I suspect a man that’s stolen from at least one museum, with the intent of perhaps stealing from Aubrey’s,” Jun began, “likely has more than one hot item in his possession.”
Tillman looked down at his mass of paperwork, thoughtful. “We’ve been to his apartment. Nothing like an old diary was found.”
“I know an Agent Dixon in Miami who works with the Art Crime Team,” Jun stated. “I’m sure she would be more than happy to assist.”
Tillman sat back in his chair. “This St. Augustine museum would first need their local law enforcement to submit an entry to NSAF.”
Tillman knew more about FBI policies than I did.Check.
Jun smiled. “Of course. But I’m sure with a few phone calls, I can get the ball rolling, considering the situation down here. What do you say, Detective?”
Ha, ha, ha,checkmate.
Tillman frowned.
“I’m not looking to take over or interfere with your case,” Jun stated. “I’m only here for a week and half, and when I leave Aubrey, I want to sleep at night knowing that he’s not being harassed or in danger at his place of business. That’s all.”
Tillman looked between the two of us.
I nodded and offered a smile.
After a beat, Tillman let out a heavy sigh and shifted some of his papers around. He picked up a small evidence baggie that held a key fob. It was bright orange and seemed to have some sort of room number on it. “We found this in Cassidy’s apartment. It belongs to a unit at Store Yourself in New Town.” He offered it and Jun accepted.
“What’s the chance of getting a search warrant?” Jun asked, turning the fob around absently.
Tillman smiled this time and held up a form. “Just got it, twenty minutes ago. Cassidy has a record of theft. Appears he’s been obsessed with this pirate Jack guy most of his life.” He stood. “As a courtesy to you, Agent Tanaka, and because I’m not well versed in the diaries of merchant sailors from the 1800s… I’ll extend the offer of you being present while I serve this. Unofficially, of course.”
“Of course.” Jun stood, and they shook hands again. “I suppose we’ll bump into each other there. It just so happens that Aubrey is qualified to offer assistance regarding anything you might find in the unit.”
Tillman looked at me. “That he is,” he said tersely.
WE’D FOLLOWEDTillman from Stock Island to New Town and parked outside of Store Yourself about thirty minutes later. Jun turned the car off, leaned over me to unlock the glove compartment, and revealed a gun and holster.
