Murder at the Holiday Flotilla (8 page)

“
Dr. Amy Wood,” I exclaimed.

“
Yes, Dr. Wood. Do you know her?”

“
She’s our babies’ pediatrician,” Jon answered.

“
But what about the gold?” Binkie asked.

“
Yes, what about the gold?” Cam seconded.

“
No one knows if it ever existed. But if it did, it is well hidden because there has never been a mention of it since.”

Roger chuckled. “Now if I were a gambling man, I’d say it is hidden at the bottom of a deep well, the well grown over. Unseen. Forgotten. It’ll never be found.”

Binkie said, “As you say, legends that Cornwallis left behind gold abound. None have ever been proved. I’m afraid this is but another fanciful tale. I sincerely doubt that gold exists. Granted, the main thrust of this story may be true. That Samuel and James made off with a supply wagon. But that the supply wagon contained gold? I sincerely doubt it.”

“
I don’t know, Binkie,” Roger said, disagreeing with his former professor. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

“
I’m with Binkie,” Melanie said. “If you listen to the legends there’s more gold hidden in Wilmington than in Ft. Knox.”

Good, I thought, throw him off the track. Still, our family had the proof that there was a “Wilmington treasure.” It was listed in our g5 grandfather’s will. I was with Melanie. We should show that will to no one but immediate family.

8

After lunch on Wednesday Melanie drove me out Oleander toward Bradley Creek.

“
What would I do without Aunt Ruby and Binkie? I feel like I’m taking advantage of them but they are so good with my boys.”

“
You’re not imposing. Those two just love taking care of your twins,” Melanie said. “And you know, shug, this is the closest to being grandparents they’ll ever get.”

“
Yes, that’s true. But I still feel like I’m taking advantage of them.”

“
Aunt Ruby is forthright. She’ll tell you when she’s tired, or can’t do it.”

I yawned noisily. “Jon has a design project he’s trying to finish. I ought to be at home taking a nap. Wouldn’t Mama and Daddy just love to baby-sit the twins? I wish they were still with us; I miss them so much.”

“
Me too,” Melanie said and reached over to pat my knee.

I had to admit Melanie’s driving was improving. She was getting better at keeping her eyes on the road. And she was not speeding. This improvement had to be Cam’s doing.

“
Mama and Daddy would have been so thrilled with grandchildren,” I went on. “But, I’ve got to say, as much as I adore those precious babies of mine, it sure is nice to have an hour to myself.”

“
I figured as much. That’s why I insisted on picking you up and taking you to this showing. I don’t have any appointments for tomorrow so I can go shopping for furniture for the nursery I’m setting up at my house. Although I’d give anything to have another listing to show.”

“
Don’t be discouraged, Mel. The market will pick up. And won’t this one bring you a big commission?” I asked. “I wish I could get away tomorrow to shop for baby furniture with you but Jon’s got an appointment so I can’t get away.”

“
Oh, that’s OK, sis. Cam will come with me. The studio isn’t busy over the Christmas season and he’s really eager to do this. And sure, I should earn a big commission. When it sells. If it sells. And it isn’t going to be easy to sell. How many people have that kind of money?”

Melanie couldn’t stop raving about the fabulous listing that had dropped into her lap.

“
I don’t know if I’ll do any holiday decorating this year,” I moaned. “I can’t seem to get my head above water. I’m tired all the time. I feel like I’m walking around in a stupor. And since we’re all spending Christmas with you and Cam at the lodge, there doesn’t seem to be much point to dragging out my Christmas stuff. Although it’s going to take a caravan to transport all the baby things we are going to need for a few days away from home.”

“
I’ve got plenty of space for everyone and for your baby equipment. The lodge is spacious. And perhaps by then I’ll have a nursery set up for them.”

“
What a Godsend that will be. You are so great, Aunt Melanie.”

She gave me a quick smile. “My pleasure.”

“
Melanie, about last night and Roger Craighead. You were right not to show him the page that referred to the Wilmington treasure. That would be proof that the legend is true – that Cornwallis really was transporting gold - and I don’t want anyone knowing there is a possibility, no matter how remote, that the gold was spirited away by our ancestor.”

“
I agree. And did you ever have any idea we were related to Amy Wood?”

“
Not a clue. Jon and I were discussing the situation late last night.”

“
So were Cam and I. We think we should keep very quiet about the will and the treasure.”

“
Gosh, Mel. Jon and I came to the same conclusion. We think we should be very careful about the treasure aspect of all this and not tell anyone. Not until we can find out more. I’m going to feel out Amy Wood to see if she has ever heard about a treasure. You know, I seriously doubt there is one. I think this is just another rumor.”

“
Cam and I were thinking along the same lines. Nobody reads that will for the time being. The only ones who know are family and none of us will talk. We don’t want any discussion of this family treasure business being shared with outsiders. First of all, if there is nothing to it, we’ll end up looking like fools. And if there is . . . something . . . a treasure . . . And how odd would that be? Well, we don’t need any problems in our life with . . . with, well, I don’t know what. But people do strange things when something like a treasure is involved.”

“
My sentiments exactly,” I agreed.

Melanie pulled onto a small road that ran along beautiful Bradley Creek. There were breathtaking views of the marina and the Waterway. “I can’t wait for you to see this house. You won’t believe it.”

“
Didn’t you say your appointment was at two? We’re late, Mel. Did I make you late?”

“
Pish posh, don’t worry about that. Men won’t admit it but they love being kept waiting by women. Especially pretty women. Sure, he’ll be stomping around, cursing, but the minute he lays eyes on us, he’ll forget all about his anger.”

“
Humph. You and I must know different men, that’s for sure.” I imagined the reaming out I’d get if I stood up a carpenter or roofing contractor.

“
Here’s the thing, shug, this is a trustee sale so I have a small window of opportunity before my listing gets posted on the MLS. And what with the big bucks at stake, other brokers from all over the state will be storming down here to show this house. Then I’ll have lots of competition, and as you know, even though I thrive on competition, when it comes to earning a big commission I intend to get this sale nailed down as tight as a coffin.”

“
What a ghoulish turn of phrase. How much money are we talking about?”

“
The owner owes almost eight million on it. I’ll mark it down to six and see what happens.”

“
Six million! That’ll bring a pretty hefty commission.” I couldn’t help being very impressed. I’d seen Melanie pull off some coups in the real estate business, but if she pulled this off, it would be like winning the lottery.

“
I’m glad you get it how important this listing is to me. Now if I play my cards right, and my luck holds, I’ll get this baby under contract, hopefully this afternoon. Then, as the selling agent as well as the listing agent, I’ll pocket the full six percent commission. I won’t have to split with another realtor.

“
What a holly, jolly Christmas that will be. Three-hundred-sixty thousand dollars under my tree! Noel! Noel!”

I gave my gorgeous sister a long look. “If anyone deserves a sale like this, it’s you, Mel. You’ve paid your dues in spades. I know how hard you’ve worked all these years, how much good will you’ve spread around in the real estate community. You’re a leader in the Council of Residential Specialists. You’ve given so much of your time to your local board. You’ve been voted Wilmington’s sales person of the year time after time.

“
I know firsthand the favors you’ve done for a lot of folks. I’d say you’re about as popular as Oprah.”

Melanie gave me a big smile of gratitude. “Thanks for believing in me, little sis. I’m so lucky to have a sister like you. And a husband like Cam. He understands that I have to work 24/7. Doesn’t complain. He’s the same way with his production studio. We’re both driven.”

“
You’ve created good karma for yourself, Melanie. Fling some largesse out there into the universe and, like a karmic boomerang, it comes caroming back to you. With interest.”

At age twenty-one, Melanie had been voted Miss North Carolina, representing our state in the Miss America talent and beauty pageant. At the time, I was only thirteen. How I had adored my big sister. Still do.

“
Who is your client?” I asked. “And are you sure I won’t be in the way?”

“
This guy is one of the few men in the state with the personal wealth to close this deal. He’s Jack McAllister, CEO of Bank of USA, headquartered in Charlotte. The bank will be paying big bonuses at the end of the year. I’ve been showing him property out here on the Waterway for eons. But we never seem to find one that shoots off enough sparks for him. This one will do just that.

“
And no, you won’t be in the way. The house is enormous. Just wander around. Or trail along with us, if you like.”

Melanie’s new, hot-off-the-assembly-line Cadillac DTS – her slogan in these days of tough economic times is “Buy America” – cruised up the bluff. There was a circular driveway in front of the house. She parked alongside a fire-engine-red, mid-life-crisis, sporty little BMW convertible.

A nice looking man of about fifty was pacing the driveway, fussing and fuming. Melanie powered down her window and gave him a little wave. As soon as he clapped eyes on her, you could see him melt. Just like all men who come within Melanie’s pheromonal radius, he was smitten.

In one long stride he reached the driver’s side door and held it open for her. “Hey, Jack!” Melanie called as she slid out of the driver’s seat, flashing her client a shapely thigh.

I got out on my side and ventured around the car.

“
What do you think, Jack?” Melanie greeted him. “Did I exaggerate? Is this place spectacular or is it spectacular?”

A soft breeze from the water ruffled the man’s thick salt and pepper, expensively coiffed hair. He wore power like a silky second skin.

The same breeze lifted Melanie’s long auburn waves and she gave her head a little toss causing her hair to swing suggestively around her shoulders – a real turn on for men.

“
Hey there, gorgeous,” Jack crooned as he moved in to draw Melanie into a hug and to kiss her cheek.

I was invisible. How many times has this happened to me in my lifetime, I asked myself. Too many to count.

But Melanie had not forgotten me. “Jack, this is my sister Ashley. She and her husband Jon are in the home restoration business.”

“
Hi, Jack,” I said and stepped forward to shake his hand.

“
Nice to meet you, Ashley,” he said.

“
I hope I’m not intruding,” I said.

“
Not at all. A second opinion is always useful. Especially from someone in the business.”

Melanie linked her arm through his and led him off. “Now, Jack, sweetie, you are the first person I thought of when I got this listing. I knew it would be perfect for you. No one has seen it yet.”

Well, that was not true! On the drive out Melanie told me she had shown the house that very morning to a local wheeler-dealer. But when they’d gotten down to bottom-line figures, he had confessed to her that six mil, even five mil, was out of his reach in this recession. Besides, she had told me, he owned property that he’d have to sell first before he could buy out here.

She had sworn me to secrecy. And since I didn’t even know who the early morning client had been, what was there to tell? But I couldn’t help wondering why a man, who admitted he didn’t have the money, and who already owned a home with land, had wanted to view the new listing in the first place. But the ways of the real estate world are a mystery to me.

“
Come on, handsome,” Melanie said to Jack, “let’s walk out on your very own boat dock and let you see it from the water side.” She turned back to me. “You too, Ashley. You won’t believe this view.”

She moved on ahead down a broad paved path to the private boat dock, adding a little wiggle to her walk.

Then she turned back to give Jack an inviting smile over her shoulder. “The water view of the house is what your friends will see when they pull up in their yachts for your first party. Isn’t this impressive?”

Jack unlocked his gaze from her derriere and turned to give the house his full attention. He whistled, then nodded his head slowly. “That house is a knock-out. You weren’t kidding, Mel.”

His arm snaked around her waist innocently, as if enthusiasm had gotten the better of him. I moved on ahead, stepped onto the boat dock and trailed it out over the blue water.

The weather was perfect. The day was beautiful: mild temps, playful breezes, puffy little white clouds tracking a Carolina blue sky. Across the sparkling water, beyond the marshes, lay the southern end of Wrightsville Beach with its colorful beach cottages.