“Then tell me four things in the dive shop that aren’t usually in a place like that.”
They continued paddling, the salt air rushing past exhilarating and refreshing. Jamie pictured the room, letting the images roll in his mind’s eye like a video replay. “There was a pair of snowshoes, a bubblegum machine. The stuffed polar bear sitting in the Kevlar kayak at the back wall and…” He hesitated. “I can only think of three.”
“You’re shitting me. You actually saw all those things? Damn, you are good.”
Not good enough. It was going to bother him until he knew what he’d missed. “What’s the fourth thing?”
“There’s a map of the moon. Craters and all.”
“I thought it was related to ocean tides and currents.”
Thomas laughed. “I bet you’re right. You’re better than I thought.”
The waves pushed them closer to the shore and Jamie had to stay alert to keep the kayak from being forced against the jagged rocks extending above the water’s surface. The physical exertion was good. It helped clear away a few of the cobwebs that had crept into his mind over the past days.
“This feels amazing.” His many concerns and questions seemed small in the midst of the beauty around them.
“If we swing close to the next bank the cavern pops up really well.”
Thomas sounded like he was having a blast and Jamie caught his enthusiasm. They raced toward the bay, their double-bladed paddles flashing in the sunlight. Farther out to sea a pod of dolphins breached the surface and Thomas whooped out loud, waving his paddle in the air for a second before glancing at Jamie in embarrassment.
“Sorry, just…”
“No worries. I think that’s one of the most amazing sights on earth.”
“Really?”
“Seriously. The innate beauty of the patterns and the fact it’s mostly for fun, not a side effect of food gathering or mating rituals makes them even more fabulous to watch. Their society is fascinating.” Thomas gave him a curious look and Jamie swore softly. “Sorry, don’t know why I’m lecturing you. You probably know way more than I do.”
The youth choked for a second, flushing red. “Well, I’m not sure about that.”
Interesting reaction. “Don’t be modest. You’ve grown up here all your life, and if you’re half as skilled as the owner of the dive shop said, I think I can skip the sermon.” Jamie toned it back. Whatever it was that had made Thomas nervous was another item to add to the things-to-ponder list.
They fell into a rhythm with their paddling. Jamie continued to glance at the dolphins as they streamed through the water. There was something majestic in their movements, and the enjoyment of watching them reminded him again he needed to play more.
It was a constant issue in his life. Getting so focused on the job he couldn’t see the important things happening right under his nose.
Now, here in Jaffrey’s Cove, Jamie didn’t want to fall into the same trap. He didn’t want to miss seeing what was the most important discovery in the midst of glancing through a few baubles. If his suspicions were correct, the real treasure of the sleepy ocean-side village wasn’t contained in the Coltens’ home.
They rounded the corner and the visual impact stole his train of thought. If there had been a palace carved into the cliffside, he couldn’t have been more impressed. A smooth even arc ascended above their heads, creating a perfect natural cavern. Like the caves over Mesa Verde, the sheer walls rose up to become a roof with natural ledges and staircases scattered all along the feature.
When Thomas spoke, his voice echoed along with the low rumble of the waves around them, and Jamie imagined the place would be deafening during a storm.
“During high tide the back wall reaches the water, but at low tide there is a small passageway that divers access to go spelunking. I’ve heard that at neap tide, the lowest low tide of the year, you can walk through into another set of tunnels, but that’s more rumor than anything else.”
“Hidden pirate’s treasure that can only be accessed at certain times or death awaits?”
Thomas nodded. “Something like that.”
Jamie twisted in his seat, staring out from the shadowed protection of the cave over the sunlit ocean. He took a deep breath, soaking in the experience. Enjoying the play of the breeze over his skin, the salty scent of the ocean filling his nostrils. This was good. If he could take the time daily to experience the beauty of Jaffrey’s Cove, it might help settle the longing that burned in his belly.
A flash of desire teased him and he forced the thought aside, trying not to dwell on the images of Braden and beautiful blonde Chelsea that rose in his mind far too often. Sensual images of them together, with him.
Like a siren’s call seducing him.
Chapter Nine
“Holy shit, what a mess.” Jamie’s voice was filled with disgust.
Braden dumped another piece of glass into the garbage before looking over his shoulder to see Jamie striding into the condo. “Yeah. Seems our painters upped the ante.” Braden pointed to the heap of papers and electronics tangled together on the table. “Sorry to call you away from your work early, but I thought we should start figuring out what we need to do. You want to go through that pile, and the rest of the apartment, to see if there’s anything of yours missing?”
“Ahh, damn it…not my computer.” Jamie dropped into a chair at the table. He held up the broken body of his laptop, the lid swinging by a wire. Pieces of the inner workings slipped out to clatter on the floor.
“Sorry, man. I hope you backed up recently. I’ll totally cover you for the replacement costs, but your data…”
“I’ve got it set to auto backup to the Internet. I won’t have lost anything but the time it takes to download everything to a new computer.” Jamie plopped the remains back on the table and poked at the papers before joining Braden by the windows. “And you certainly don’t owe me anything. I’ve got insurance, and I can afford a new computer. I was thinking about upgrading anyway.”
Jamie tugged the garbage bag from Braden’s fingers and held it open. Braden nodded his thanks and grabbed the dustpan, scooping up the smaller bits of glass and shredded paper. “I guess I spoke too soon when I said we didn’t have any real crime in the area. There were a couple of other official thefts today.”
“Shame it had to be your place that got hit.” Jamie glanced toward the back of the condo. “Ballsy to break-in during broad daylight. Did they do a lot of damage throughout the whole place?”
Braden shook his head. “The windows are the biggest things. A couple of cushions got shredded and a few files dumped. For the most part it was plain old vandalism again.”
Jamie looked around the room. “They didn’t touch your stereo or your TV.”
“No, none of the easy-to-resell items were hit. And my old computer is still sitting on the desk in my office. I mean, it was under a few things, but why didn’t they take it?” Braden stood and motioned for Jamie to help him tip the couch upright. “I don’t understand why they smashed your laptop instead of stealing it. Something’s just not right.”
“You said there were other break-ins this time too?”
Braden nodded. “Helen got called out this morning to a private residence. Plus a couple of the shops on the boardwalk reported stolen objects. Damn, it’s like the place has gone insane. We never have crime like this.”
He picked up the bag of garbage and carried it out onto the deck. Now what was he supposed to do? The condo was in no shape for Jamie to stay in, but the last he’d heard the motel was still stuffed to the rafters.
Jamie wandered through the living room, continuing to pick up and tidy the mess left behind. Braden dragged a hand over his scalp. He could offer to have Jamie stay in the spare room at the Coltens’, but he wasn’t sure that was a good idea. His relationship with Chelsea was still so new and…