CHAPTER 18 - FULL CIRCLE
It was several days later before they heard any news about Smith. The family had just finished dinner and was having dessert when Bradley stopped in.
"The doctor asked me to come by the hospital today," Bradley said. "Victor seems to have a case of amnesia caused by the concussion. They wanted to see if he recognized me."
"How did it go?" Matt asked.
"He seemed to remember everything about his work at the museum, but he can't recall anything about the day of the accident." He looked at the boys. "He's not going to be able to verify your story about the fight and the treasure."
"Then he doesn't know where the treasure is?" Jason said.
"Not that he's saying. The doctor is convinced he can't remember. Either way, he's not likely to tell us what happened to it."
Rosalita looked in. "Standing Bear called to tell us to turn on the news. Says there's a segment coming up that we will find interesting."
As the others crowded into the room with the TV, Bradley stood in the doorway with his arm around Katie. Jason nudged Daniel and said, "Now we won't be able to prove that Smith took the map."
"I still think it was Silas," Daniel said.
They squeezed between the couple, getting a wink from Bradley and an annoyed look from Katie. They flopped on the floor in front of the TV as the commercial ended, and the lady reporter came on.
"It seems that Treasure Town is not the only place to find a fortune. While many people visit the Cherokee Gold Casino and try their luck at the slot machines, the best place to strike it rich may be knee deep in the fast flowing river a few miles east."
The camera panned away from the reporter and gave an aerial view of the river. "Just a few days ago this was the tragic site of an unfortunate accident where a car went off the embankment and crashed into the river. But today it is the site of a celebration. A sort of modern day gold rush."
The camera showed dozens of people standing at the river's edge with metal detectors. The picture then jumped back to the reporter and a middle aged man.
"This is Robert Sparrow, the manager at the casino here on the reservation. So tell me about these coins that you and the others are finding."
"My daughter found the first one," he said beaming at a small girl leaning against him. She held up the coin, and he gently moved her hand so the camera could focus on the coin. The light glinted off a large ring on his finger.
"Look at that!" Daniel said.
"It's Smith's ring," Bradley said stepping into the room.
"I've found several of these coins and many others here are finding more," Mr. Sparrow said. "We have temporarily closed the casino and sealed off the area."
"So, only the Native Americans who live on this reservation are being allowed to search for the coins?"
"Yes, that's true. We think that maybe the recent heavy rains washed out a cache of coins that was buried near the river shortly before the Civil War."
Everyone in the room started talking at once drowning out the TV, and the rest of the report was forgotten.
"He must have had the saddlebags with him in the car."
"That was his ring."
"The coins must have washed downstream."
"Guess there's no chance of us getting any more of the treasure," Daniel said.
"It originally belonged to the Cherokee. I guess it's come full circle," Jason said.
After breakfast the next morning, Daniel went to his Spanish class. As Jason left the hotel, he saw people checking out and packing their cars. Vacations were over and they were heading home.
The clear morning and cool breeze reminded him of the coming fall. In a week he too would be flying home. Not to the house where he grew up, but to a different house in a different city.
The scorching heat of the past couple weeks had lifted, and his mood had lightened. Soon he would be exploring the strange old house his parents had rented. He was curious to see all the rooms and pick out one for himself. There were new trails in the park to explore and maybe, just maybe, he could be part of a real archeological dig.
He sauntered up the museum steps. The doors were open, but he had the place to himself. He gave the gift shop a cautious look, but the store was dark. It wouldn't open for another hour.
The soft padding of his sneakers seemed loud as he strolled through the rooms looking at the exhibits. Next to a window a new display had been set up. It was labeled, Items Found in Haunted Cave.
Silas' gold coin sat perched on a small pedestal with a brass plate screwed into the base. In fancy lettering it listed Silas as the donor.
The sword found by the police had been cleaned up, and it now lay in the bottom of the case. Balboa's dagger was mounted to the back wall. A natural sandstone frame held the Dahlonega mint receipt. He leaned forward to read the faint print. A shadow flickered across the glass, and he glanced up to see a hand resting on the dagger. For a moment he thought it was Balboa gripping the handle. With a sharp intake of breath, he bolted upright. The image wavered. With a cry, he jerked his hand back from where he had been leaning on the glass, and the image disappeared.
Breathing heavily, he realized it had only been a reflection of his own hand resting against the display glass. He pressed his hand against his chest where the cross lay hidden under his shirt. It rubbed against his skin, but he didn't want to take it off until he got home.
When he got back to the hotel, the commotion of the early risers had diminished. He dropped down into the big rocking chair on the porch. The Spanish Milled Dollar pressed on his leg from deep inside the pocket of his jeans. He would put that away too, once he got home. For now, he was reluctant to leave the treasures anywhere.
The gold coins were locked in the hotel safe. Standing Bear had agreed to act as their agent, and was looking for the right buyer. He was certain there would be plenty of college money for both boys.
The door banged, and he looked up to see the Hummer. She leaned against the porch railing and gazed at the woods.
"Did Daniel desert you again to further his education?"
"Final class for the summer."
"Guess you'll be leaving soon. Have your parents found a place?"
"An old house with lots of rooms. Mom says there's a park nearby."
"So what are you going to do with all the money?" He looked at her surprised. "You know, from working in the snack shop." The crinkle around her eyes was back.
Jason wondered how she always seemed to know everything. He said, "Daniel and I are putting our summer earnings toward college."
"Good plan. Are you coming back next year? You make a mean bagel."
He laughed. "Bradley offered us a summer internship at the museum. Paid for by the university."
"Moving up in the world. That's good." She tilted her head back and watched the wispy clouds. Her hair moved in the soft breeze like the ruffled feathers of a sparrow. "Looks like a good day for a walk in the woods."
That's how this whole adventure started he thought.
"I think you're right," he said. "Maybe I'll do some exploring."
He got up, and she caught the arm of the chair before it banged against the wall.
"Keep your eyes open," she said. "You never know what you'll find. Might be something valuable."
At the bottom of the steps he looked back with a smile. "I think I've already found something valuable."
"Have you?" The crinkle deepened around her eyes as she smiled.
"Life is a Treasure," he said. He turned and headed for the woods.
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