Page 95 of Cross & Crown

“So far I’m following,” Hagan commented.

“The Masons stretch across the sea to the Americas, they

build themselves a country, and they amass a treasure,” JD

continued, wincing a little. “And then some dumb shit loses it

to a British lieutenant and shrugs and says whoops?”

“We’ve all heard the theories about how the Masons

inspired the American forefathers,” Nick said, taking up the

timeline. “Whether they’re true or not . . . eh.” He shrugged,

wobbling his hand in the air. “But there are enough proven

connections to make me believe in a Colonial treasure trove

of Masonic origin. I buy that. But why in God’s name would

they pile all that treasure into a wagon, and then cart it into the middle of a war?”

“They had to have some purpose for it,” Julian mused. “A

hiding place. Hell, perhaps they really were using it to pay

soldiers.”

Nick shrugged.

“Maybe it was a payment for something else,” Kelly

suggested. “Something besides the soldiers.”

Nick pursed his lips, humming thoughtfully. “They were

looking for help from the French. They could have been

taking it north as oil to grease the wheels of a treaty.”

Kelly put a hand on Nick’s thigh and let it rest there.

“Okay, so the treasure is taken, the British soldiers hide it,

intending to come back for it. But if the legends are true, they never do. A few years later, King Whoever the Something

creates this Order of St. Patrick in Ireland.” Kelly stopped,

raising his hand. “See, that’s where it loses me. Where’s the

96

connection between Colonial treasure, the British getting

their asses handed to them, and Ireland?”

“Ireland is part of Britain?” Hagan tried.

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