“If you were a prisoner in the gaol, please turn the blue flashlight off.”
A long pause and then another flicker. The woman to Maddock’s left gasped.
“What do you think of that, Maddock?” Bones asked quietly.
“I think she chose the flashlight with dirty terminals or a weak battery.”
He’d spoken much too softly for the investigator to hear, but she seemed to share Maddock’s train of thought.
“If you were a pirate, please turn the red flashlight off.”
Nothing. She asked again before moving along. Finally, when asked if the spirit had ever killed someone, the red flashlight blinked.
“Guess that battery’s weak, too,” Maddock said.
“It hadn’t flickered once before that question,” Bones said.
They observed for a few more minutes and then Kendra motioned for them to resume the tour. As they headed back to where they’d started, she invited tour guests to share any experiences they’d had with the supernatural. When no one responded, Bones stepped in. He told the story of a ghost that patrolled a river crossing on the Cherokee reservation. Maddock had heard the story before, told by Bones’ grandfather, but Bones told the story as if he’d seen the ghost. His story broke the ice, and Kendra flashed him a grateful smile as other tourists shared their own ghost tales.
By the time the tour ended, Maddock thought he’d heard enough accounts of bumps in the night, strange chills, and orbs in photographs to last a lifetime. It was only with effort that he managed a smile and a few words of support when Kendra asked him what he thought of the tour.
Bones had reserved a table at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, and Kendra spent the short walk there trying to convince them that she wasn’t an eccentric or worse. She’d begun working part-time in Colonial Williamsburg while pursuing a degree in American Studies at William and Mary. Her love of folklore and interest in the paranormal had led her to the Ghost Tours.
“I know I could do more with my degree, but I love what I do and I don’t really need the money. My grandmother left me a small house in town and the income from her investments is enough for me to lead a simple life, which is all I want. At least for now,” she finished as they took their seats in the tavern.
“I’m into the paranormal, too,” Bones said. “Maddock’s a skeptic at heart but he’s more open-minded than he lets on.”
“Fair enough.” Kendra bit her lip, looked down for a moment. Her next words came out in a rush. “I’d love to solve mysteries, have adventures. Maybe have a television show like Jo Slater. Ever heard of her?”
Bones covered a small cough and nodded.
“We’ve seen her show,” Maddock said.
They placed their orders and while they waited for their meals, it was Bones’ and Maddock’s turn to share their stories. They talked about their time in the SEALs and discussed their treasure hunting partnership, omitting, of course, their more sensational experiences.
“That sounds so cool,” Kendra said. “I guess that’s why you’re interested in Black Caesar.”
“That’s right,” Maddock said. “My father was a scholar of pirate lore and was particularly interested in Caesar.”
Kendra leaned in and lowered her voice. “If you’re looking for Blackbeard’s treasure, you might want to look elsewhere. The word on the conspiracy boards is that it was found several years back and the government covered it up.”
Now it was Maddock’s turn to suppress a cough, though the fact he’d been taking a drink at the time made it difficult.
“You all right?” Kendra laid a hand on his forearm.
“Fine,” he croaked, dabbing his watering eyes with his napkin. “Just went down the wrong way.”
“That’s what she said,” Bones blurted.
Kendra tilted her head. “I did?”
“It’s a quote from a…never mind. What can you tell us about Caesar.”
“I’ve brought all that I have on him. After my first contact with him, I tried to learn as much as I could about his life so that I’d have more questions to ask him during subsequent sessions. It’s not a great deal of information, but here it is. I’ve also included transcripts of our conversations, if you can call them that.” She took a sheaf of papers from her drawstring bag and handed them to Maddock. He handed half of them to Bones and they reviewed them while they ate.
Maddock’s crab cakes were a little short on meat, but delicate and flavorful, and served in generous portions. Bones opted for the fried chicken, and proclaimed it, “pretty damn good for white people food.” The highlight, in Maddock’s mind, was the sweet potato muffins, which were light with just the right amount of sweetness.
Kendra’s papers were a letdown. The information she’d gathered was nothing new, and even if Maddock believed that her transcripts were the records of actual conversations with Black Caesar, there was nothing there to point them to the resting place of the pirate’s ring.
Nevertheless, the food, drinks, ambiance, and the company of an attractive woman lightened his mood. Even Bones seemed to have gotten over his disappointment that Kendra hadn’t fallen head-over-heels for him. Over after-dinner cocktails, the three laughed and swapped stories of unexplained phenomena.
“I think I’ve found a couple of kindred spirits, here,” Kendra said. Under the table, Maddock felt her hand rest on his knee. He flashed a furtive smile but didn’t move away.
“We love all this mystery crap,” Bones said. “But right now, I’m feeling a close connection to that serving girl over there.” He winked at a buxom redhead who smiled back at him.
“That’s Sandra,” Kendra said. “I’d introduce you, but there’s no need.”
“She got a boyfriend or something?” Bones asked.
“No, she’s just…how should I say this? She doesn’t allow our culture’s prevailing attitudes toward sex to inhibit her in any way.”
“I’m in love. You got the check, Maddock?” Before Maddock could answer, Bones stood and made his way over to where the costumed serving girl waited.
“I think they’re meant for each other, at least for a few hours,” Kendra said, watching as Bones and Sandra left the tavern together.
“That’s about as long as Bones can keep a relationship going,” Maddock said, laughing.
A contemplative silence fell between them. Kendra gazed at Maddock as if she were waiting for him to speak. He suddenly found himself very aware of his mouth. Why did it feel so dry all of a sudden? He reached for his glass but found it empty. He felt Kendra remove her hand. What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he think of anything to say?
“You haven’t said much about my research,” Kendra said. “I guess it wasn’t helpful?”
“No, I mean, yes. It was informative.” Did his voice always sound like that? “It’s just that we’re looking for something specific that belonged to Caesar.”
“Like what?” She smiled. “If it’s some big secret, I promise not to tell. I’m a good girl…when I need to be.” The smile she gave him made him feel hot all over. Couldn’t their server have at least filled his water glass?
“It’s a ring,” he managed. “A very old ring.”
“Must be valuable.” She rested her chin in her hand and leaned closer. The twinkle in her eye said she knew exactly the effect she was having on him, and she was enjoying every minute of it.
“It’s valuable for its historical significance.”
“I love history.” Kendra ran a single, lacquered fingernail along his forearm.
Myriad thoughts ran through Maddock’s head in that instant. His recent breakup with Angel. Isla’s betrayal. Memories of his late wife. His ex-girlfriend Jade telling him he was too selfish to ever have a lasting relationship.