Page 79 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

Amy nodded. “He started small at first and unless someone dug deep, they would never have found it and if he had kept it that way, it might never have been found, but he got greedy or needy, probably both.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to find the money?”

“That’s the crazy part.”

I wrinkled my brow in question. “What do you mean?”

“Melvin Waters died broke,” Amy said. “If he hadn’t prepaid for a cremation, he would have found himself in a pauper’s grave.”

“How about bank accounts out of the country?”

“Not one of them.”

“How could that be?” I shook my head. “Don’t tell me… treasure hunting.”

“You got it. He was spending everything he made or embezzled on treasure hunting trips. Beau tracked down a cousin he found on one of Waters old social media accounts and got in touch with him. He told Beau that Waters bragged about a treasure hunt that was going to set him up for life. I don’t know if he was referring to the Willow family treasure since I doubt that would have set him up for life. But finding the treasure would certainly help him finance a larger treasure hunt.”

“The hunt seems to be going on without him which means he wasn’t alone in the hunt for the Willow treasure,” I said and got a creepy thought. “And maybe Waters’ death was not as natural as believed.”

“Your dad would need a lot more evidence than we found so far to have Waters’ body exhumed.”

I agreed with a nod, my thoughts elsewhere. “Do you know what may have happened to any papers or documents he may have had?”

“You’re thinking what Beau and I thought. Waters could have stolen some old documents he came across at the Willow Mansion that proves the treasure exists.” Amy paused to drink some peach tea, leaving me anxiously waiting. “We dug some more and discovered that Waters’ possessions will be auctioned off soon. I called the place handling the auction and introduced myself as financial officer for the Willow Lake Historical Society and that Waters could have documents belonging to the society and I would like to review any documents Waters may have had. The woman told me to submit proper identification as such and that she would be in touch. I got in touch with Edna and explained and I wrote documentation for her to sign since Waters’ death left her in charge and emailed it to the woman. That was yesterday and I haven’t heard anything yet. She also told me it was a private viewing and auction since Waters was quite the collector.”

“We need to find out if he stole documents from the society,” I said. “Do you know when this auction is to take place?”

“No, and that concerns me since you know how easy it is for me to get people talking, find common ground, and I’m soon talking with people like they were old friends. Not so with this woman. I couldn’t make the slightest connection with her. She was stiff and unbending and I don’t think she gave a hoot about documents belonging to the Willow Lake Historical Society.”

“I got an idea,” I said. “What’s the woman’s name you talked to?”

“Winifred Dickens. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was related or thought she was to Charles Dickens. It was easy to sense over the phone that she felt her importance.”

“Give me her number,” I said, and dialed it. I stuck my chin up as I mimicked my Aunt Effie’s cultured voice. “Is this Winifred Dickens?”

“Whose asking?” came the haughty reply.

With my cell displaying only my last name, I said, “Euphemia Madsion. I am Sir Reginald Crumpston’s personal assistant. He wishes to know if Mr. Waters still possesses the gold doubloons he unearthed on one of his many treasure-hunting expeditions since he wishes to purchase them to add to his collection.”

“The doubloons are available, and you may view them tomorrow at the preview along with other interested parties. The preview is from one to four tomorrow with a dessert buffet to follow and it takes place at Mr. Waters’ residence.”

“Sir Crumpston will be pleased to be added to the private preview list.”

“If Sir Crumpston passes a background check, there will be an admission ticket waiting for you when you arrive, otherwise entrance will be denied,” Winifred warned. “A sizeable crowd is expected. The items will then be auctioned the next day.”

“I will be there tomorrow to represent Sir Crumpston. Good day.” I hung up and smiled.

“Gold doubloons? How did you know Waters had gold doubloons?”

“I didn’t. I took a chance since it seems that the articles I’ve read lately on treasure hunting always mention gold doubloons. The preview is tomorrow from one to four and Winifred says a sizeable crowd is expected. We should get there early and with as much historical society identification as we can produce since she warned that if Sir Crumpston doesn’t pass muster entrance would be denied.”

“There may be something that could help conquer or at least soften the impenetrable Winifred,” Amy said with a plotting glint in her eyes.

“Do tell,” I said with an air of elegance.

“If my eyes were closed, I would swear your aunt was speaking.”

“If only I fit her elegance as well as she did,” I said.

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