Page 42 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

“It just came in.”

“I did some digging on Professor Anderson, curious over the man who tried to kiss your mom, and I discovered this article dated five years ago.”

I opened it and my eyes popped wide staring at a picture of two men with the title of the article, inHobbyist Magazine, blazing above the photo…The Real Indiana Jones,Professors Pierce Anderson and Evan Swatcher Treasure Hunters.

CHAPTER 11

“Ihad no idea Pierce’s hobby was treasure hunting,” my mom said when I arrived at the Willow Lake Senior Center with Amy and showed her the article on my phone.

“He never mentioned it when you worked with him on the book and the Willow family treasure was discussed?” I asked, then wondered if he purposely avoided telling her.

“He never said a word about it.” My mom tapped my cell screen. “That article is five years old, maybe he no longer goes treasure hunting.”

“Or maybe he agreed to keep the part about the possible treasure out of the book because he wanted to find it himself,” I suggested.

“If that were so, wouldn’t his desire to search for it have surfaced by now?” my mom argued.

She got me on that one.

My mom rummaged through her large purse. “I am going to call Edna and see if she knows anything about how that unsubstantiated information got in the book. You should go speak with Charlie before he leaves. It’s a larger crowd than usual today and he’s not partial to large crowds, so he may leave soon.” She pointed out a man who was showering Mo with hugs and rubs and slipping him a treat from his pocket when he didn’t think anyone was looking.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, and Amy joined me as I headed for Charlie and Mo.

“No wonder Mo loves coming here. I watched several of the seniors give him a treat,” Amy said. “Though I must admit Mo gives much in return. He seems to know the people who need to feel his head on their leg or leaning against it. It always brings a smile to their faces.”

“Mo does sense when someone is in need and he’s generous in offering them comfort like he’s doing now with Charlie.”

We both glanced at the man whose wrinkles spoke of age but nowhere near the over ninety years some claimed him to be. He was short and slim and had a full head of white hair he kept neatly trimmed and he had no stoop to his shoulders.

“Mr. Gibbons,” I said when Amy and I reached him. “This is Amy, my friend, and I’m?—”

“Mo’s owner, Pepper Madison,” he said before I could finish. “I must commend you on how well you trained Mo. He is an exceptional dog.”

“I can’t take full credit for that. He was partially trained when I got him, and I continued the training with him.”

“You did well, and I bet he trained easily,” Charlie said, giving Mo a rub behind his ear, a spot he favored.

I had to chuckle. “Too easily and he went right on training himself. He can unlock all my doors, and he taught himself to turn on the television so he can watch his favorite animal channel.”

“My Goldie could turn on the television, though it was more like she turned it off after I fell asleep for the night.” He got teary-eyed. “I miss her so much. Mo helps me with that. I enjoy coming here and spending time with him.” He took a handkerchief from his back pocket and patted his moist eyes. “Allergies. Your mom mentioned that you wanted to talk about the Willow family. I don’t know how much I can tell you though I know the grounds well. My father was the last Gibbons groundskeeper to live and work there. My mom, dad, and I were sad when we had to leave. She loved the place and the memories I have of it were happy ones. I hated to see it fall into disrepair like it did and my family worried about its future when the town claimed it for unpaid taxes. Your Aunt Effie is a hero to me, establishing the Willow Lake Historical Society and campaigning for contributions to buy and restore the Willow Mansion. She tirelessly pursued its restoration and brought the mansion back to its glory days. And your mother tells me that you and your friends will carry on her work. I think that is wonderful and I believe your aunt would be proud of you.”

“Thank you and I would be grateful if you could tell me if you recall your parents or any of your relatives who worked at the mansion hearing anything about a dowry or treasure.”

“I recall hearing a tale about Verbena’s dowry. Some say it was a treasure trove of gems. The death of his daughter devastated Ignatius Willow and his wife as well from what I was told. It was believed that after Verbena died and Ignatius had her tomb sealed shut, that he had her dowry buried with her. When the ruby was discovered, my father told me a different story, one not many knew. Verbena understood she was dying even though her father and mother refused to acknowledge it. She requested one thing be buried with her and one thing only and since the servants saw her wear a diamond and pearl necklace when she practiced her posture lessons, it was assumed that it was the necklace she requested. The remainder of the dowry was never seen again until the ruby was discovered and along with it the possibility the dowry still existed.”

“So, there is a good chance that the necklace is buried with Verbena and the dowry is somewhere in the Willow Mansion,” I said.

“That is what I would assume from hearing the stories passed down to my father and mother,” Charlie said.

“By any chance would you know if there is a secret passageway out of the mausoleum?” I asked.

“There most definitely is, but Ignatius never revealed it,” Charlie confirmed.

That got me wishing I could get into the mausoleum. “Do you know much about the mansion itself?”

“Only what my parents told me from stories handed down through generations.” He smiled. “I do remember your aunt. She was beautiful and you look just like her.”

“Thank you, Charlie,” I said, having received that compliment often. “Would you like to visit the Willow Mansion one day?”

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