Page 62 of Death at the Deep Dive

“Ohhh yeah. They’re real. 100% authentic.” Jack lifted a couple of files and pulled out a sheet of notepaper. “I’m not even sure what half of this means, but the silver coin is a very rare high-grade French Jeton circa 1700. I think Jetons are actually some kind of token. The doubloons are dated 1611 Seville Assayer B. They’re graded MS-64, which seems to have something to do with coins that are mostly uncirculated, so close to mint condition. Basically, they’re museum pieces. Or should be. Oh, and your estimated value was a little on the low side.”

Ellery blinked. “On thelowside?”

“Yep. Each one of the gold pieces would be expected to fetch about one hundred and fifty grand were they to go to auction.”

“Gulp.”

“You can say that again. It’s a little hair-raising to think of them lying in that cupboard for months.”

“Is there any way to know if they came from theBlood Red Rose?”

“The type of coins and the dates are right. It’s impossible to know for sure without a cargo manifest or bills of lading or other documentation. Unfortunately, we’re dealing with a pirate vessel, and pirates aren’t renowned for their bookkeeping. Even if Captain Blood kept accurate accounts, which is highly unlikely, those records would have been lost when the ship went down.”

“Well, that’s a pretty good indicator.”

“It is. But theBlood Red Rosewasn’t the only pirate vessel calling these waters home.”

“She’s only one known to have sunk.”

“Even that’s a legend.”

“True.”

Jack’s cheek creased. “It’s a fun legend, I’ll give you that. And if a sunken pirate ship is found off this coast, it’s most likely going to be theBlood Red Rose.”

“Now you’re humoring me.” Ellery leaned across to take a french fry, laughing softly when Jack held him in place for a moment and kissed him.

Jack released him, said briskly, “The next interesting question is who actually owns those coins.”

“Uncle Sam, right?”

Jack had a funny expression. “Not necessarily. TheRoussillonwent down in 1956, twelve miles off the coast. She was a commercial vessel, and the company that owned her is long out of business.”

Ellery stopped chewing. “Wait. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you probably have as much claim to those coins as anyone.”

“Me?”

“You found them.”

“Yeah, but…”

“The circumstances of how they got to be there don’t necessarily change the fact that they were there for you to find. That said, you should expect everyone from Uncle Sam to the Wallaces—andthe Shandys—to lay claim.”

Ellery stared. “Honestly, this is more than I can think about right now.”

“Okay.” Jack put his hands up in a don’t-kill-the-messenger.

“How’syourcase coming?”

“Which case?” Jack’s tone was wry.

“Tackle Shandy’s homicide.”

“It’s coming. Like I said, we’ve got a treasure trove—” At Ellery’s look of pain, Jack amended, “A fair bit of evidence to work with.”

“Like what?”

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