Lady Justice and the Ghostly Treasure (16 page)

    “Good luck!” I called as they headed out the door.

    Something in my gut told me they were going to need it.

    “So what do you think?” James asked after they looked at six apartments.

    “For me,” Camilla replied, “it’s between the one on Cherry close to the University, or the one on Madison. It’s closer to shopping.”

    “Those would be my choices too,” James said. “I really liked Bernie, the landlord on Cherry, but the other lady was nice too.”

    “Tell you what,” she said. “Let’s sleep on it tonight and decide tomorrow.”

    “Are you sure you want to wait?” James asked. “Both landlords said they had other people looking. We don’t want to miss out.”

    “Just tonight,” she replied. “If one gets rented, maybe we weren’t supposed to be there.”

    “Okay then, let’s wrap everything up tomorrow. We can stop by Walt’s first thing in the morning, pick up the coins and get our money, then we can go directly to whichever apartment we choose and close the deal.”

    “Works for me! Ooooh, I’m so excited!” she said with a shiver.

    “Yeah, me too. Looks like things are starting to go our way.”

    The next morning, I had just finished my Wheaties when the phone rang.

    “Walt, James here. Camilla and I found an apartment and we’re ready to get the ball rolling. If you’re home, we’d like to stop by and pick up the coins.”

    “I’m here. Come on by.”

    Fifteen minutes later, they had the coins in hand and were heading out the door.

    “James, that’s over twenty-two grand you’ve got in your hands. Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?”

    “Thanks, Walt, but no. We’ve got this.”

    “Okay then. I’ll stick around home just in case. Call if you need anything.”

    “Will do.”

    “Morey, they just left the building on Admiral. It looks like they’ve got the gold. I saw the guy carrying a bag.”

    “Crap! They must have found someone who offered them more. You stay with them. I’m going to call and wrap this up.”

    “Got it, Boss.”

    Morey hung up, got the business card and dialed the number.

    “This is James. Who’s calling?”

    “This is Morey from The World of Gold. I hadn’t heard from you, so I thought I’d give you a ring.”

    “Thanks, but I won’t be needing your services. We’ve found another buyer who’s offered us $450 for each coin.”

    “Oh really, that’s too bad. I talked to my collectors and I found one who would offer you $500.00.”

    A long pause. “No kidding?”

    “I don’t kid about such matters, Mr. Walker. My collector will be very disappointed.”

    “Hang on a minute. We were just on our way to cash in. Will your guy do the deal today?”

    “I think that can be arranged. We don’t keep that kind of money at the store. Give me an hour and I’ll meet you at the World of Gold.”

    “Fantastic! See you then.”

    Morey hung up and dialed again. “Sammy, this is Morey. We need to talk.”

    “Camilla! Did you hear that! $500.00! That’s twenty-five grand! More than we ever thought we’d get.”

    “That’s wonderful, James. Are we going there now?”

    “Not yet. He said he’d need an hour to raise the cash. How about we stop for breakfast?”

    “Mmmm! Sounds good,” she replied, giving him a hug.

    An hour later, a car pulled up to the curb and a man and woman headed to the front door.

    “That’s them,” Morey said. “Get to the back room. As soon as we’ve done the deal, follow them. We have to get that money back.”

    “Ahhh, Mr, Walker. Right on time, I see.”

    “Hi Morey. This is my --- uhh --- friend, Camilla. We have the coins. Did you get the cash?”

    “Indeed I did,” he replied, pulling out a cash box. “May I see the coins?”

    James handed him the bag.

    “Lovely!” Morey exclaimed. “Just as you promised.” He handed James the cash. “Here you go. Feel free to count it.”

    James counted out 250 one-hundred dollar bills. “Looks like it’s all here. Thank you so much. I hope your collector enjoys the coins.”

    “Oh, he will, I’m sure.”

    “Well, thanks again,” he said, as they headed out the door.

    As soon as they were out, Morey whispered, “Slick, you’re on. Whatever you do, don’t lose them. We have to get that money back or Sammy will be paying us a call and you know how that ends.”

    “So, the one on Madison?” James asked. “Are you sure?”

    “Yes, it’s a bit bigger and close to the super market. I think it would be perfect.”

    “Then Madison it is!”

    James had just turned onto Southwest Trafficway, when they heard a ‘boom’ and a ‘whissssh.’ “Oh crap!” James muttered, pulling onto a side street. “We’ve got a flat tire.”

    They parked and surveyed the damage. “Flatter than a flitter.” James muttered.

    “I hope you have a spare.”

    “Yeah, I do. Might as well get to it.”

    Thirty minutes later, they were ready to roll.

    “So where did we leave off? Oh yeah, we were heading to Madison to rent our first apartment together. How could I forget?”

    Ten minutes later, they were walking up the steps to the front door of their new home.

    “I’m so excited,” Camilla said as James knocked.

    “Good morning Mrs. Dunn,” James said, “we’ve thought it over and we’d like to rent your apartment --- that is, if you’ll have us.”

    “On my goodness!” she replied. “I’m so sorry. I rented to another young couple not twenty minutes ago.”

    They were crushed.

    “Well, thanks anyway,” James muttered as they headed back to the car. “Twenty minutes! That damned flat tire!”

    “It’s all right James. We still have the Cherry apartment. Maybe it’s even better. It’s closer to school.”

    “I hope we still have it. Let’s get over there before we lose that one too.”

    Fifteen minutes later they were on the doorstep of the Cherry Street apartment.

    “Mr. Hoffman, good morning. Camilla and I would like to rent your apartment if it’s still available.”

    “Indeed it is. Come on in and we’ll take care of the paperwork. And call me Bernie. Everyone else does.”

    A half hour later, they had signed the lease and paid the first month’s rent and deposit.

    “Here you go,” Bernie said, handing them the keys. It’s all yours.”

    He looked at his watch. “I have to pick up a few things at the store. I won’t be gone long. Make yourself at home.”

    Hand in hand, Camilla and James climbed the outside staircase to their new home.