AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe I hadn't realized that until recently. But I had the privilege of watching her blossom and grow into her true self. The lass was born to be a treasure hunter and to experience adventure. I've never met another woman like her, and I never will.
Once Isaac and Ashley calm down, we explain to him why we can't take credit for the discovery. No one would have ever found the hoard if they followed all the rules. We discovered it because Ashley and I are risk-takers who believe protecting the past and letting the world experience the greatest treasure on earth means more than following the letter of the law. Though I had never bent the law this far before, I donnae regret it.
"I understand why you had to fly under the radar," Isaac says. "And I'm glad the Grand Canyon treasure has finally been found, so the world will get to see it. But you two should get some kind of reward for that, even if it's under the table."
"We can't tell the government what we did," I say. "Donnae care about myself. But I will do anything to protect Ashley."
Isaac gazes at me with a thoughtful expression. "You mean that, don't you?"
"Aye, I do."
"Glad to hear it." He looks at his daughter and winks. "I approve, Ashley."
She blinks quickly several times. "You approve of what?"
"Errol. I'd be happy to have him as a son-in-law."
I'm glad he likes me, but we aren't getting married. I don't even know how Ashley feels about me, or whether she wants to deal with my barmy lifestyle till death do us part. It's a lot to ask of a lass. But she did revel in the adventure we just shared together, and even almost falling into a raging rapid didn't slow her down. Neither did getting tossed into the cavern pool. She came too close to dying then, so maybe she's lost her taste for danger.
Ashley and Isaac move into his office down the hall to discuss the hoard, so they can copy all the pictures we took onto his computer. Though I follow them into the office, my mobile rings a few minutes later.
"It's my cousin Kirsty," I tell Ashley. "I should take this."
"Go on, it's okay. Dad and I could spend days poring over these photos."
To keep from disturbing Ashley and Isaac, I head into the living room to take the call. "Kirsty, how are ye, lass?"
"Very well, thank you. How was your big adventure?"
"I'll tell you when I get home. But I don't think ye rang me to ask how I'm doing."
"No, I didn't." She hesitates. "I've been wanting to ask for your help. Luke and I haven't had any luck finding more information about Kieran, and we hoped the great treasure hunter and puzzle-solver might be able to help."
"I'm in America right now. Not sure when I'll be back."
"This isn't urgent." Her tone suggests that, aye, to her it is urgent. "We can talk about it when you come home. I shouldn't have bothered you."
"You are never a bother,gràidh. Let me see what I can do about getting home sooner."
"Are you sure? Donnae cut your trip short for me."
I can't help smiling. Kirsty is one of the sweetest lasses I've ever met, and of course I want to do whatever I can to assist her in the search for information about our medieval ancestor. But finding the Grand Canyon treasure is nothing like searching for a man who died hundreds of years ago and whose grave is empty. Aye, that tidbit does intrigue me. Is hunting for a missing ancestor really so different from tracking down a treasure? I've also employed my talent for solving puzzles in other ways, including when I tracked Royce Hammond's cryptocurrency transactions, which ultimately led to the discovery that he was running an illegal antiquities trade.
So aye, finding Kieran MacTaggart is exactly my sort of mystery. An empty grave? The more I think about that, the more I need to dive into that mystery.
"Let me finish what I've been doing here," I say. "Then I'll be home as quickly as possible."
"Thank you, Errol. You are such a sweetheart."
We say goodbye, and I march into the office.
Ashley and Isaac both turn to look at me.
I clear my throat. "Would you two like to come home to Scotland with me? My cousin Kirsty needs my help, and it's a mystery I cannae resist solving. Our ancestor, Kieran MacTaggart, seems to have vanished from his grave. I'll tell you all the details on the jet."
"Jet?" Isaac says. "Are you rich?"
"No. But my cousin Evan is. He lent us his jet so we could get to America faster."
