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Maddock and Bones stood once again on the shores of the Busento River. They had made the short drive back here after steeling their resolve to find Alaric’s lost treasure despite Colombo’s warning. “Besides,” Bones had said back in their hotel room, “who knows if those cop dudes will decide they forgot to look under a pillow or something and come back? Let’s get out of here for a while.” So presently they walked along the river bank. Shoulder high in some spots while only a couple of feet over the water in others, it showed signs of erosion and geological change over the years. After a while Maddock explained they were looking for a likely spot where the river could have easily been diverted.
Bones tilted his head to one side as he mulled this over. “That’s assuming the earthquake back in the 1800s didn’t change the river’s course completely.”
Maddock nodded in agreement as his right boot splashed into the shallow water, cool but not freezing cold, at river’s edge. “We might need to find a local historian type we can trust. Someone who could fill us in on...”
Bones suddenly looked over his shoulder. “Speaking of locals...”
Maddock looked in the same direction to see Lina approaching on foot, looking abashed. “Gentlemen, I am so sorry. Please, can we talk? I want to explain.”
“Hmm. Let me think. No.” Bones turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
“Please. I owe you an apology. Just give me a moment of your time.” Lina held her hands out in a pleading gesture. Maddock noted that her eyes said she was sincere.
Bones turned back around and started patting his pockets. “What do you know? Your apology isn’t going to bring back the artifacts the cops took from us. Finds we worked hard for. Hell, one of our crew almost died recovering them.”
Lina’s face reddened but she doubled down. “May I remind you, Bones, that we both know those artifacts were not found in international waters.”
“Funny, I don’t recall you being there.” Maddock took a step toward her. “In any case, that doesn’t explain why you shafted us.”
Lina took a deep breath and then shrugged. “You are right, I’m getting off track. The truth is fairly straightforward. I wanted the artifacts for the museum and I made a rash decision.” She looked as if that was all she had to say, but then hurriedly added, “Besides, I would have made sure you received a handsome reward. That was my intention.”
Maddock threw his hands up and raised his voice slightly. “Then why didn’t you just ask us to make a deal?”
Lina’s gaze traveled from Maddock to Bones and back before answering. “I didn’t know if you could be trusted. How could I be sure? After all...” She let the statement hang in the air with the sound of the running river water.
Maddock put a hand out in the universal “stop” gesture. “I get it. Foreign treasure hunters possibly plundering artifacts from a wreck in Italian waters. I’m aware of the reputation some of our competitors have. But tell me this: will the artifacts we gave you be put on display at the museum?”
Lina shook her head. “Unfortunately, and this is not my doing, no. Colombo, he took them. He claimed the museum was too controversial. He also said there was no reason to believe the artifacts had ever been in Alaric’s possession, and therefore had no connection to the museum.” After a long pause during which neither man interrupted her, Lina continued. “I am afraid his attitude is all too typical. After some reflection, I’ve come to a conclusion. There is only one way to keep the museum open.”
Maddock asked, “What’s that?”
Lina smiled back at him. “We must find the treasure.”