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“Anyone else make headway? Any new developments on the quest to uncover the lost Crown of Tears?” Ryan asks.
I tip my head in question because I’m not yet fluent enough in McGregor-ese to know if that’s an inside joke or if it means something.
“The will said it’s a great adventure, not a quest,” CJ says.
“Same thing.” Ryan chugs another cup of water. “Food is good by the way.”
“Technically—”
“But is it great?” Isla interrupts.
“It’s amazing. The best,” Royal says, putting her at ease.
“While the two of you have been rebuilding the resort and planning your wedding, have you given any thought to the Coroa de Lágrimas?” CJ asks.
I recall him saying that before. Must mean the Crown of Tears as Ryan said.
Magnus turns to me. “It’s hard to get a word in edge wise with this bunch, but if you’re wondering, our grandfather left us with a mystery to solve.”
“A great adventure,” CJ corrects. “Here’s what we have so far: a massive pearl that may or may not be part of the crown and the fragment of a map...and that’s it.”
Isla turns to me. “In case you’re wondering, just before I was abducted, I was painting a mural over there.” She gestures into the darkness. “There was a dried-up fountain in rough shape, but on the top was a mermaid statue, perched on a shell. She was pointing toward a cement treasure chest that would’ve appeared to be floating on top of the water if the fountain was full.”
“We used to throw pennies into it,” Magnus says fondly.
“And starting next week you’ll be able to make your most secret wish...if the plumber gets it done in time,” Isla says as if consulting a mental checklist of the remaining resort projects.
“Anyway, then with the help of my sister, Bean, who found an old ship’s logbook in her shop, drone footage of the island that Royal provided, and a hunch, we discovered part of a map on the old mini golf course.”
“The eighteenth hole,” Magnus says.
“Did we learn anything useful about the logbook?” Ryan asks.
“That it belongs to an old brigantine by the name of the Dark Seas but the last record logged was from 1863.”
“A brig?” Magnus asks.
“Did you find out any intel on that?” Royal follows up.
“Working on it.” He gives CJ a curious look that I’m not sure how to read.
Note to self, study McGregor-ese.
“So, we have the pearl that presumably goes to the crown and part of the map that presumably leads to the crown...but that’s it.” Isla stares at her plate.
“Glandman was interested in that ship’s log,” Royal adds.
“If Glandman steps foot on this property—” Magnus starts.
“I want to know more about that ship,” CJ says.
“Then why don’t you find out?” Magnus says.
“Yeah, you’re on a first-name basis with pirates, right?” Royal teases.
CJ sighs as if he’s used to taking verbal blows from his bros.
“What I want to know is was Chip murdered? What happened with Aunt Lorena and Glandman? And what good is the crown to us?”
