3 Treasure Under Finny's Nose Page 3

  She nodded, balling up another Kleenex. “Yes. You’d think, seeing as how this is the second body Alva and I have happened upon, I wouldn’t be such a mess. It must be the baby.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Baby or no, finding a dead person is not something anybody takes in stride.” He and Bobby exchanged a glance, and she sat down next to her aunt. “Sit tight. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Jack did a slow circle around the body. The stiff figure was sizable, clad in a dive suit, complete with air tanks that lay half buried in the sand. The body lay face up, eyes closed. Jack looked at the ocean for a moment to clear his brain.

  Nate was down on one knee, taking a close-up of the dead man’s head. The damp sand made a wet patch on his pants where he knelt.

  “Whatcha got, Nate?”

  “Ruth said his name was Reggie. He was a cameraman for the film crew. Big guy, good diving gear. He’s been dead awhile.” Nate huffed into his lush mustache. “His mask is missing, but I don’t see much sign of trauma. Wasn’t shark chow, I don’t think. Coroner is on his way.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “You know you have the word Daddy written in magic marker on the side of your neck?”

  He nodded. “I know. I told Maddie we need to send them to a convent, but she says they don’t take six-year- olds, especially triplets.”

  “At least they can spell Daddy right. That’s a good sign.”

  “Yeah.” Nate stood up and brushed the sand from his hands. “Is that Bobby over there?”

  “I was at Monk’s when I got the call. She came along to give Ruth some help.”

  Nate shot him a sidelong glance. “Is she staying in Finny for a while this time?”

  “Maybe. So what’s your take on this? Diving accident?”

  Nate sneezed and blew his nose on an enormous handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. “Could be. But why would the guy dive at night anyway?”

  Jack watched a bird swoop down to investigate and flutter away again. “I know they’ve been filming the wreck. Do you suppose they decided to get some night footage?”

  Nate shook his head. “In these waters? By himself? That’s gotta break every rule in the safe diving handbook.”

  They stared for another few minutes. Jack sighed. “I’m going to talk to Ruth and Alva again.”

  Nate readied his camera and went back to work.

  The old man was sitting by a red toolbox when Jack returned. “Tell me how you and Ruth found the body, Alva.”

  He scratched his wrinkled forehead. “We’re walkin’ the birds, ya see, me and Ruth. Then I find this here can opener in the sand. Don’t that just beat it? That’s a lucky find, I’ll tell you, and hardly any rust.”

  “Okay, you were walking the birds and you found a can opener. What next?”

  “Sweet cheeks calls me over to see the sea monster. Only it ain’t no sea monster, it’s a dead guy. I don’t have no phone so I run back to town and Bubby calls it in.” His face darkened. “Ellen heard me ’splaining it to Bubby and she and the doctor headed down. I been tryin’ to lay low on account of the fact that I need to get my mortar drilled and filled. I’m not too keen on the idea.” He continued to rummage in the toolbox.

  Jack smiled. “Did you know the dead man, Alva?”

  “Nah, never met him. Just saw him at the film site a couple of times. Never said more than a ‘good morning’ to him.” He straightened up. “Aha! Here it is, Ruthy honey. I told you Alva was gonna take care of ya.” He handed her a crumpled bag of Milk Duds.

  Ruth gave him a wan smile. “Thank you, Alva. You are so good to me.”

  Jack waited until she ate a few candies. A tiny stain of color returned to her pale cheeks. “Did you want to add anything to Alva’s statement?”

  She closed her eyes for a moment. “Yes,” she said, as she opened them. “The reason we came to the beach in the first place. Last night I got up around two, I think, and I looked out my front window. I saw a light, far out in the water. It almost seemed like it was under the water, but I couldn’t be sure. Do you think I imagined it? I am under the influence of rampant hormones at the moment. I can’t remember my name half the time.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t think you imagined it. The victim was diving at night for some reason we can’t figure right now. You might have seen his light. Two o’clock you say?”

  “Somewhere around there.”

  Gene Soloski’s forehead creased as he and Ellen approached. “Not my business, of course, but it seems pretty ridiculous to dive at night in these waters, especially alone.”

  “I agree.” Ellen patted the dentist on the back. “Do you dive, Doctor?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m a land creature all the way.”

  Ellen smiled coquettishly. “Except for your days as a tree doctor.”

  “I guess I traded in the bark for the bite.”

  Ellen exploded into loud guffaws. The librarian’s wild mane of hair vibrated along with the laughter. “You’re just a stitch, Gene.”

  “And they say dentists don’t have a sense of humor.” Dr. Soloski spotted Alva, crouched behind Ruth. “There you are. I’ve been leaving messages with Mrs. Hodges for you all week. Don’t forget your appointment on Monday morning, Mr. Hernandez. We’ve got to get that tooth fixed before you wind up with an abscess.”

  Alva’s brows drew together. “I think I got me some other appointment on Monday. Could be I got a Boy Scout meeting that day.”

  “Cancel it.” Ellen didn’t take her eyes off the dentist.

  Alva’s face crimped. “I don’t got a ride to the office, and this leg’s been bothering me. Too far to walk.”

  “I can take you, Alva.” Ruth patted his shoulder. “I’ll stay with you, too. It will be okay.”

  “There, you see?” The doctor smiled. “It won’t hurt a bit, I promise.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Alva grumbled. “I bet that’s what they said to that Marie Antoinette broad, too.”

  Jack finished scribbling in his notebook. “Okay, I think we’re done for now. I’ll be talking to each of you again, soon.”

  “All right.” Dr. Soloski took a last glance at the body and shuddered. “I don’t think I’ll ever see this beach the same way again.” Ellen and Dr. Soloski made their way back up the path.

  Alva closed his box. He took the corn chips from Ruth’s pockets and sprinkled them on the ground. Eleven birds came running to peck up the treat. “I’ll help you get these critters home.”

  “I’ll bring up the rear.” Bobby gave Jack a smile. “Come by for a coffee refill when you get this mess under control.”

  King Kong couldn’t prevent him from taking her up on that offer. “Thanks, Bobby, I will.” He watched her small figure move up the path, her pace matched to Ruth’s. Bobby reached out an arm and wrapped it around Ruth’s shoulders. What he wouldn’t give to have her arm wrapped around him. Nate’s voice snapped him out of his reverie.

  “Hey, boss?”

  He returned to the grisly pile where his partner knelt. “What’s up?”

  Nate held back the neck of the man’s wet suit with a pen. “What do you think about this?”

  Jack squinted and then his eyes widened. “I think I should have been a dentist.”

  Chapter Four

  Ruth wasn’t sure whether or not to report for filming on Monday morning. She spent the weekend reading about Indigo Orson. The past seemed much more attractive at the moment than remembering the awful present that included Reggie’s untimely end. She grabbed her binder anyway and made her way to the plateau overlooking the sheltered cove. There was no one there. She sat on a card chair, snuggled farther into her jacket, and flipped through the pages.

  A stranger life I could not imagine. Washed up on shore, all alone in an alien country was almost more than I could bear. I fancied I heard the words of my mother entreating me to keep going. Mama, who had taught me to read and write against the wishes of my father. Mama, who died from the same infection that killed him.


  They were gone. The Orsons, dead. I was completely alone. Yet in my terrible state, afloat on a plank of wood, He sent me a treasure. There it was, bobbing on the water, a small barrel, no bigger than a man’s boot, but what it held would save me. I grabbed hold of it with all my strength and made for land. It was hard going, clawing against the waves which seemed determined to drag me out to sea.

  The sun beat down on my head though my fingers were numb with cold. The salt water stung my eyes and the sight of those poor souls adrift in the waves as I struggled through the water sickened me. I felt I could not hold on for a moment longer. When I felt the gravel under my feet, my spirit was renewed, and I fell to my knees praising Father in heaven for deliverance. I was alive. I was alive.

  The sound of a woman’s voice startled Ruth. She looked up to find Ethan and Sandra, heads bent together, locked in intense conversation as they headed up the path toward the grassy clearing where she sat.

  “But he’s dead,” Sandra said, choking back a sob. She turned her face toward the ocean below. “Reggie’s dead.”

  Ethan held up a hand. “We couldn’t have foreseen that. If he hadn’t gone off on his own, this wouldn’t have happened. You better believe he wouldn’t hesitate to double-cross us.”

  “It doesn’t matter what we did or didn’t see coming. The man is dead. I. . .” Sandra jerked her head around as she caught sight of Ruth. “Oh, Mrs. Budge. I didn’t think you would be here. I’m sure you’ve heard about. . .about Reggie.”

  “Yes. Alva and I found him on the beach, as a matter of fact. I’m very sorry.”

  “We are, too.” Ethan’s face was smooth, bare of emotion. “He was a great friend and colleague. It’s a terrible tragedy.”

  A friend who would double-cross them about something? Ruth decided to indulge her nosiness. “Why was he diving at night?”

  Ethan blinked. “At night? I don’t know.”

  “Was he doing something for the film project?”

  “No, definitely not. We would never have him do a night dive. That’s much too dangerous.”

  Sandra tugged a strand of blond hair. “Maybe he was doing some recreational diving.”

  Ruth frowned. “That seems odd. What would he be able to see at night?”

  “I’m sure the police will find out it was an accident. In any case, we’re going to keep to the schedule as best we can. I’m going to see if I can get another cameraman out here, and if I can’t, I’ll take it over myself. Why don’t you use the time today to read through the notebook and we’ll start the filming as soon as possible. I’ll let you know.” Ethan turned his attention to an accordion file.

  Sandra’s mouth opened, but she didn’t speak as Jack’s police car pulled up the winding road.

  Though Ruth would have liked nothing more than to eavesdrop on the conversation, she knew interfering in police business wasn’t a good idea. Jack was a great friend, but first and foremost he was a cop. She waved good-bye and headed back to town to pick up the reluctant dental patient as promised.

  Alva didn’t answer when Ruth knocked. Finally Flo Hodges, who owned the small cottage where Alva rented a room, unlocked the door. Alva was under the bed.

  Ruth peered into the dark space. “Please don’t make me get down there, Alva. I’ll be hard-pressed to get up again. Come on out. I’ll take you over to Dr. Soloski’s, and it will be over in no time. I promise.”

  “I don’t wanna,” came the plaintive voice.

  “Tell you what. Why don’t you come out, and I’ll ask Bert Penny to give you a ride on his motorcycle after your tooth is fixed.”

  There was a moment of silence. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Ya think he’d do it?”

  “I’m sure he would if I asked him to.”

  There was movement from under the bed. “Well, all right then. I guess I can let the quack take a look.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  Ruth led the way as the two walked down the slope toward the town that squatted at the nostril end of Finny’s Nose. Even with Alva’s reluctant pace they arrived at the tidy office in less than twenty-five minutes. A nautical theme, right down to the rustic wood benches and abalone shell business-card holder, decorated the bright space. She had a mental picture of the dentist doing his work wearing a sailor’s cap.

  Dr. Soloski came out to greet them in the usual dentist garb. Alva hid behind Ruth.

  “Good morning. How are you feeling, Ruth, after that awful thing on Saturday?”

  “I’m all right, thanks. Trying not to think about it, mostly. I’m going to wait here for Alva, if that’s okay.” She stepped aside to reveal the cowering old man.

  “Certainly. Come along, Mr. Hernandez.” The doctor patted Alva on the shoulder. “We’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

  Alva shot Ruth a desperate look as he was ushered into the back.

  Ruth sighed. Her ankles felt puffy and swollen. How was it possible that a fragile three-month-old fetus could wreak havoc on a perfectly serviceable body? That must be why people had babies in their twenties. With a twinge she remembered she’d had a baby then, too—her son, Bryce, who didn’t want to be within spitting distance of her. Where had she gone wrong with him? And would she repeat the same mistakes with this late-in-life baby?

  She shut down that depressing line of thought and turned her thoughts to Isabel Ortiz and her mysterious treasure. The page was still dog-eared where she’d left off reading that morning.

  This is wild country. The men here are rough without the civilizing influence of women. The rush for gold has brought hundreds to this shore. They have eyes filled with desperation and want, a reckless need to throw every caution away in search of that elusive gold nugget. There are no women here and that is both a blessing and a curse.

  I decided from the earliest instance that I would be in great peril if these men found a helpless woman on their shore, a Mexican woman at that. They think anyone with skin of a different color is lower than a dog. When we were aboard the Triton, I heard tell of a group of white miners calling themselves “the hounds” that chased Mexican miners off their claims and beat them near to death. What could I do to save myself?

  It was then I became Indigo Orson. With my ragged, unkempt appearance, they had no reason to suspect my secret. A pair of grizzled old miners took me in and let me sleep in a corner of their tent. They were most curious about my barrel. I slept with it under my head in the night.

  With the first light of dawn, I opened my treasure trove and prayed that God would give me the courage to see it through. The barrel did its work, and the flour was dry as dry could be. I measured out a precious dip from inside. With a borrowed pan and a bit of grease, I cooked up a batch of biscuits, light as air and golden brown on top. At the first smell of baking bread, the miners emerged from their miserable hidey holes like gophers from their burrows. They lined up around my campfire to watch, mouths open, as I baked up the biscuits. Imagine my surprise when one man shouted, “I’ll give ya five dollars for them biscuits.” Five dollars? Such a fortune for a bit of bread? To these men who have been eating roots and berries for months, the flour was treasure indeed.

  I settled for one dollar per biscuit, and only two per man. At the end of the morning I had a ten-dollar gold piece and a handful of other coins. God saved me with His white treasure. That night with my pocket full of coins, I thanked Him and said a prayer for Señor and Señora Orson, God rest their souls.

  Ruth shook her head in amazement. Indigo Orson. A Mexican woman, impersonating a man, cooking for half- starved miners. She could imagine the fear that Indigo felt, but that stubborn will to survive that could only come from the Lord. The episode was better than fiction and certainly worthy of being documented on film. She hoped she would be able to do justice to the amazing lady.

  With thoughts of Indigo swirling in her mind, Ruth dozed.

  Less than an hour later, Alva stomped into the waiting room, shouting over his shoulder at t
he dentist, the plastic bib fluttering under his chin.

  “You said it wasn’t a-going to hurt. Whaddya call that needle poke, huh? A love pat?”

  Dr. Soloski stiffened. “I guarantee you, Alva, no other dentist could have done a finer job on that tooth.”

  Alva’s ears pinked as he continued his tirade. “How should I know what kinda job you did? Not like I could see yer work or anything. Maybe you left a tool in there or somethin’. Maybe I’m goin’ to find a screwdriver in my mouth when I eat my snack today. Or maybe a chisel.”

  The dentist stared at him in openmouthed surprise. “There are no tools—”

  Alva cut him off with a loud snort. “Never mind. It’s all done and I’m still alive and kicking. Now where’s my prize?”

  Dr. Soloski’s eyebrows furrowed. “Your prize?”

  “Yeah. I talked to Ralphie over at the preschool and he says ya get a prize when yer finished at the dentist.”

  “Oh. Of course. I let the kids pick out a trinket. Help yourself.” He pointed to a wooden chest filled with plastic toys and sugarless gum.

  Alva turned to the reception desk and grabbed the abalone shell. He carefully unloaded the business cards on the counter. “I’ll take this.”

  “Alva,” Ruth began, “he meant—”

  Dr. Soloksi waved his hand. “It’s okay, Mrs. Budge. I can find something else to hold my business cards. He’s welcome to it if that will make him feel better about his appointment today.”

  Ruth guided Alva to the door. “You wait outside. I’ll just be a minute.”

  When they were alone, she attempted an apology. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Soloski. Alva is just terrified of dentists, or doctors of any kind for that matter. You wouldn’t believe what we had to do to get him in for a physical. The doctor gave up after an hour and pronounced him healthy.”

  The dentist ran a hand through his thick brown hair. “I know I shouldn’t take offense. I’m a perfectionist. I see dentistry as an art as much as a science.” He chuckled. “I’ve had people weep with joy at being relieved of their dental problems. I think Alva is a long way from that kind of response.”