Lady Justice and the Ghostly Treasure (15 page)

CHAPTER 13

    On the ride back to Kansas City, it was decided that since I was the only one of the group that had a safe, I should take charge of the gold coins and keep them locked up until we decided what to do with them.

    After our ordeal, we were all beat, so we agreed to go home, get some rest, and reconvene the next day when we were rested and our heads clearer.

    As soon as we arrived home, Maggie hit the shower and I was close behind. By the time I had dried off, Maggie was snoozing soundly.

    I tried to do the same, but my mind wouldn’t shut down. I couldn’t stop thinking about the coins and the improbable series of events that had delivered them into our hands. Knowing the treasure hunters would be reconvening the next morning, I figured I should find out exactly what we had. I opened the safe, and for the first time, studied the details on the coins.

    The first time I looked at them, the only word on the face I could read was Kaiser. I assumed that was the name of the guy who was pictured on the coin. After a Google search, I learned that Kaiser was actually the German equivalent of the word Emperor, and that the photo was of Wilhelm I, who was proclaimed the first Emperor of Germany in 1871.

    I also discovered that each coin contained .2305 troy ounces of pure gold.

    Not only were the coins rare collectibles, but pure gold as well. It would take some research to determine what avenue would bring the best price.

    I put the coins back in the safe, hit the sack, and finally drifted off into a fitful sleep. In my dreams, I saw the gold, but I also saw evil men scheming to take it away from us. Maybe it was just my mind rehashing our encounter with Billy Ray and Lenny. I wanted to believe that, but when I awoke in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, something told me there would be more who would try to separate us from our treasure.

    At ten the next morning, everyone was gathered in our living room.

    “I did some research on the coins last night,” I said, opening the discussion, “and from what I read, they’re quite valuable, both as collector’s items and as pure gold. Once we figure out how to get the most from them, you’ll have to decide how to split it up.”

    Without hesitation, Mary raised her hand. “I couldn’t get to sleep last night either and I was thinkin’ about what you just said --- what was going to happen to the money we get. Momma’s diary said Henry Sinclair gave her the map so’s the gold could go to her and her progeny. Well, the only progeny left is me, Martha and James. I thought about it real hard, and here’s what I come up with. First of all, I don’t need no money. I’m just an old woman and I’ve got everything I need right there at the hotel. I got to thinkin’ what I’d buy with a wad of cash --- a new TV? Don’t need one. I got one. A new air conditioner? The one I got works just fine. For me to take a cut of the money would just be a waste.

    “On the other hand, James needs the money real bad. There ought to be enough to pay off Sammy the Shark so’s James don’t get his legs broke or worse. Martha needs to be able to spend her last days in the nursing home, and that costs money. There should be enough to take care of her for as long as she needs it.

    “Then there’s Camilla. When Henry gave Momma the map, he had no idea there would be a Camilla in the picture, and that she’d be right in the middle of findin’ the gold. She’s Henry’s granddaughter, for heaven’s sake. I say if there’s money to go around, Camilla gets a share so she can go back to school and get that nursing degree.

    “There! I’ve had my say.”

    There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

    “Aunt Mary,” James said, wiping a tear away, “I --- I don’t know what to say but thank you.”

    Camilla was next. “Mary, are you sure? Grandpa gave the gold to your family.”

    Mary had seen how close Camilla and James had become during our adventure. “Yeah, I’m sure,” she replied, giving her a wink. “And who knows, maybe you’ll actually be a part of the family someday.”

    Blushes from both Camilla and James.

    “Well, if that’s settled,” I said, “we’d better start figuring out how to get the best price for our booty.”

    “I couldn’t sleep either,” James said, “so I did some research myself and came up with the same information as you. There are companies that buy gold all over town, and from what I could see, they fall into three categories, strictly gold buyers, shops that specialize in gold, jewelry and rare coins, and pawn shops. All of them advertise they pay top dollar for gold. Since our coins are rare as well as gold, I think we should concentrate on the places that deal in both.”

    Nods all around.

    “Makes sense to me,” Kevin said, “but we need to be very careful. There are a lot of shysters out there that would steal the gold from your teeth.”

    “Agreed,” James replied. “That’s why I think we should shop one of the coins around and get bids from several different companies. I’d be glad to do it.”

    Again, seeing nods all around, I got a coin from the safe and handed it to James.

    “Be careful flashing that thing around. You never know who might be watching.”

    “I’ll be careful, Walt. I promise.”

    “Business is slow, Slick. If we don’t turn something in the next couple of days, I won’t be able to come up with the rent. Buster said if we’re late again, we’d get the boot.”

    “I hear ya Morey,” Slick replied. “Everybody and his brother are buying gold. It ain’t like it used to be.”

    A car pulled up in front of the shop and a middle-aged man approached.

    “Slick! Get in the back. We’ve got company.”

    “Good morning and welcome to The World of Gold,” Morey said as the man entered. “How can we help you?”

    “I understand you buy gold.”

    “Absolutely! We buy anything gold, from jewelry to gold teeth.”

    “And rare coins?”

    “That, too,” Morey said, pointing to showcases filled with odd coins. “We have one of the largest collections in Kansas City.”

    “Great! I understand from your website, you don’t charge for appraising what we have to offer.”

    “Not a penny. It’s a service we’re happy to provide. What do you have for us today?”

    “This,” the man replied, pulling a gold coin from his pocket.

    Morey couldn’t believe his eyes. When he saw the coin, his heart leaped into his throat, but outwardly, he showed no sign of emotion, acting like this was an everyday occurrence.

    He picked up his monocular and studied the piece. “Hmmm, very nice --- German --- 20 marks.”

    “So what’s it worth?” the man asked.

    “We don’t see these often,” Morey replied. “Let me check my books.”

    He picked up a book, thumbed through the pages and pretended to read.

    “Hmmm. Well, I think I could offer you $350.00 today,” he said, handing the coin back. “Are you ready to sell?”

    “Actually, not right now. I’m just getting estimates. I have several other stops to make.”

    “Oh really. May I see the coin again?”

    He took another look with the monocular. “This is in extraordinary condition. I might be able to go as high as $400.00.”

    “$400.00 each?”

    Morey was taken aback. “How many do you have?”

     “I think we counted fifty.”

    “My goodness! Uhh, I’m sure we could handle the transaction.”

     “Great!” he said, taking the coin back. “Like I said, I have several other places to check out. I’ll be in touch.”

    “Oh, before you go, may I have your name and phone number? I have several collectors I can call. Maybe I can get you a better price.”

     James wrote his name and number on the back of a World of Gold business card. “Thanks again. If you get a higher bid, give me a call.”

    When he was gone, Slick burst through the door.

    “Are you crazy? I did some quick math. Fifty coins at $400.00 bucks a pop comes to twenty grand. We don’t have that kind of loot laying around.”

    “I know that, but I can get it from Sammy Saldano.”

    “Aww, Morey. That’s trouble and you know it.”

    “It would just be for a few days. We make the deal, get the coins, and you follow the kid home and get our money back. This is our chance to get out of the hole.”

    “I don’t know --- maybe.”

    “Follow him and stay with him. I want to know where he goes and where he lives.”

    “Whatever you say, Boss.”

    The next day, James and Camilla stopped by the apartment.

    To say they were excited would be an understatement.

    “I went to six stores,” he said proudly, “and I got a high bid of $450 for each coin! That’s $22,500!”

    “Congratulations!” I replied. “So what now?”

    James took Camilla’s hand. “We have some news. Since we know we’ll have enough to get me off the hook with Sammy, and take care of the other things we talked about --- well --- Camilla and I have decided to move in together.”

    I knew things were moving along, just not that fast. “Uhhh, congratulations again.”

    “Thanks, Walt. Well, we’re off to look at apartments. Wish us luck!”