Page 45 of The Romance Adventure

“We’re not disinherited. The money is ours conditionally,” Magnus says over his shoulder like he has ears and eyes on everything and everyone.

“As I said, I don’t need it,” Royal counters.

“However, if you fail to comply with the wishes in Chip’s will—” I start.

“The money goes to Glandman,” all three brothers chorus.

Twenty minutes later, the five of us are in the rec room, eating pizza after Magnus surprises me by saying a blessing over the food. The McGregor brothers didn’t strike me as men of faith, but it’s always a pleasant surprise to learn that other people share the love of the Lord.

“If we’re going to try to figure this out, I need brain juice,” Ryan says.

Magnus’s expression darkens. “Don’t tell me you’re taking steroids.”

“No, I meant coffee. Caffeine.”

“Not now. You need to shower and sleep.” Magnus speaks with finality, having the last word.

“I have a question first,” Ryan replies, pushing back. “Chip never found the treasure, right?”

“Nope,” Magnus says shortly.

“So this isn’t a scavenger hunt with him leaving us clues to find something he’d already discovered. It’s more like we’re picking up where he left off.”

“And if the will, the messages, and the items he left us are any indication, his search was about as organized as his office.” Royal grunts like he disapproves.

“That’s to say, not organized at all,” Ryan adds as if remembering something.

I interject, “Did your grandfather have a record of his search, like a diary or—?” I shrug, gleaning all my treasure hunt information from movies.

“We’ll figure this out in the morning,” Magnus says.

“It doesn’t matter because it’s all for nothing,” Royal says around a yawn.

I catch it and yawn too. “Good night, guys. Sorry that I was the bearer of bad news.”

Magnus’s eyes are already closed. Ryan is on his phone. Royal nods in my direction and doesn’t turn away as he watches me leave the room, sending those hiccups rushing through me.

Bean walks me out to the guest house.

“Will you be alright in there with them?”

“I have my own wing, remember?”

“Good point. Plus, how much trouble can they really cause?”

“Plenty.”

“How do you know if you just met them today?”

“The McGregor brothers are legendary on this island. They were wild, always getting into trouble, boat races, car races, and pranks. The locals could tell you stories.”

“What about that old man with the cane? Mr. Higbee, I think Royal said.” I tell her about how he warned us against digging up what’s long been dead and forgotten.

Bean waves her hand dismissively. “Mr. Higbee was one of Chip’s buddies. They had a consortium of anti-treasure hunters. Like a neighborhood watch, but offshore too.”

“But Chip’s will seemed kind of like a treasure hunt; it was rather mysterious, containing riddles and puzzles.”

“They called themselves the Pirate Defense League.”