Second Chance Gold (Buck Reilly Adventure Series Book 4), John Cunningham [polar express read aloud .txt] 📗

“Can we have just one second with Jerry, alone?” I said.

The doctor’s smile vanished. He sighed, then crossed his arms.

“One moment only, messieurs.”

Gisele blew her husband a final kiss and ushered the children out of the room, followed by the doctor, who maintained his sour stare all the way out the door.

“Thanks again, you guys,” Jerry said. “I’ll never forget what you did for me … for my family.”

Truck and I had debated whether or not to tell Jerry everything that had been going on during his absence, but news of his return had already spread through town—and based on what the Dominicans told me, he had to know, for his safety and that of his family.

Plus I could tell he was holding out on us.

“Has Gisele told you about her encounter with the Gamundi brothers?”

“Gamundi brothers?” His smile waned.

Truck rolled his eyes.

I stepped closer to his bed. “They told me you’d met with them the day before you disappeared.”

His eyes narrowed.

“They aren’t the only ones who came to St. Barths looking for missing treasure from the wreck of the Concepcíon,” I said.

“You been pretty popular since you vanished,” Truck said.

“The Gamundis also told me about la petite enfant and the Cousteau crewman’s grandson. After visiting your widow, I figured out what your paintings were.” His eyes widened. “And the Gamundis just found out too.”

Jerry’s lips were now a thin line.

“All speculation,” he said. “You know how big that island is?”

“That’s exactly what I thought when we hiked up to get you.” I paused. “It could take a year of hunting every day to find something—”

“Assuming there is—or was—a treasure,” he said.

“Truck was attacked and hospitalized by the Gamundis.” Jerry looked at Truck’s sling. “So was Gisele.”

He sat bolt upright.

“She hasn’t said anything—”

“I’m sure the doctor cautioned her against upsetting you, but you need to know the truth. They won’t give up, Jerry, especially now that you’re back. They’ll think you double-crossed them, and my guess is that’s exactly what you did.”

He bit the side of his lip. “Makes sense, KingBuck.”

“Good, I’m glad you’ve done your homework.” I paused. “Now you know I can help you.”

“I’m not saying I have a clue what you’re talking about, but thanks for the concern.”

The sound of footsteps stopped behind us. The doctor was probably here to throw us out—

“Isn’t this a pretty scene.”

I spun to find Jack Dodson filling the open doorway.

“Congratulations on surviving a month as a castaway, Jerry. Damned impressive. Man after my own heart—”

“What the hell are you doing here?” I said.

Truck stiffened. “Who’s he?”

Jerry just stared at Jack, who strode right over to the bed and stuck out his hand.

“I’m Jack Dodson, CEO of Second Chance Treasure and Salvage, nice to meet you.” He pumped Jerry’s limp hand like a door-to-door salesman. Before I could say anything, Jack aimed a thumb back at me over his shoulder. “Buck here was my partner at e-Antiquity, but his antics and over-speculation bankrupted our company and landed me in jail—”

“That’s total bullshit!” I said.

A loud knock on the open door turned us around. What now?

“Your moment’s up,” the doctor said. His gaze settled on Jack Dodson. The long sleeved Polo shirt covered his tattoos, but his million-watt smile actually softened the doctor’s frown.

“No worries,” Jack said. “I’ll be back, Jerry. I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I have a professional operation with connections that can quadruple the value of antiquities over commodity pricing for gold or silver.” He nodded toward me. “And watch out for your savior here—there’s nobody better at suckering people.” With that, he gave us a two-finger salute and strode out the door.

“Now, Messieurs,” the doctor said.

I glanced back at Jerry. Curiosity registered in his eyes.

“Like I said, Jerry—these guys are ruthless.” I paused. “I’ll call Lou and let him know the good news. Just remember my offer and watch your ass.”

Jerry nodded once, then looked away.

“Alive?” Lou Atlas said. “You shitting me?” He expressed his disbelief two or three times. Meanwhile, I had Truck in my other ear, whispering, “Ask him, dammit!”

So I reminded Lou about our deal.

“Damn right I’ll send you a check. You earned it, Reilly.”

His enthusiasm diminished when I shared Jerry’s newfound dedication to sobriety and family. His doubt was understandable, given the years of disappointment and the side of Jerry he knew.

“I think he can do it,” I said.

Lou perked up. “You never know, Treasure Hunter. After all, he is an Atlas.”

After we’d hung up and I shared the news with Truck, he jumped up and down and I had to push him away from trying to give me a bear hug. The free trip to St. Barths and the $5,000 I’d offered for his help had been sufficient. His new British girlfriends were icing on the cake, and even though the venture had been soured by his broken rib and collarbone, the additional $20,000 as his cut for finding Jerry had him over the moon. And my $245,000 payday was the best I’d had since e-Antiquity collapsed.

We waited around, hoping to hear from Jerry, one day, then two. Truck and I had debated flying back out to Ile Chevreau, but given his condition and the size of the island, we reluctantly decided against it. Truck toured St. Barths with his lady friends and I stayed close to the hotel, waiting for Jerry Atlas to call.

I went to the hospital again, but he refused to see me. So I knew it was time to leave. Even though I knew we’d be leaving a potential fortune behind—and I’d be returning to big trouble at home.

Home? I had no home in Key West.

By now Bruce would have placed all my possessions at the La Concha into storage, Booth would be making plans to arrest me, and while I hated to admit it, Jack was probably right. Turning myself in might be the best approach.

Damn.

I hated to leave, but it was