Episode 54: TrEASurE

Harbinger Shoals!

Sheriff Dolan Roster was busy going over what little evidence on the mysterious skeletal remains found in a secret crypt beneath the mansion now belonging to Nick Sanchez allowed him. Nick’s computer geek friend Dyson aka Shadowbitch having given him the name of a one of the few forensic scientists who was not corrupt, was left waiting for Ms. Ivy McDaniel to call back. All things took time!

While flashing a high beam flashlight into the crypt Dolan processed the things that often bothered him about Sanchez. He wondered if that skull that was inside the trunk Nick bought at his dad’s antique store actually belonged to this skeleton, seeing as it was missing from the corpse.

“Probably coincidence.” Dolan yawned! “Nick had no idea it was in that trunk when he bought it. Of course, I only know minimal shit about his past. He seems like a good guy but dammit having a computer hacker on retainer doesn’t make him look good either. I feel like his life is a cross between Mission Impossible and The Godfather. I want to trust you Sanchez but dammit! I need to just relax. The crypt down there was a shock to him as much as it was us.” Thoughts put on hold he heard footsteps on the staircase behind him.

“Beejeezus Dolan!” Officer Herb DeWhitt made his way down. “This place gives me the creeps.”

“I highly doubt the secrets stop here Herb.”

“Heads up but now that hottie Violet Murphy over in Turncoat is done helping Bile’s wife, we requested her services over here to help maintain order. Now that the Rez knows there’s a body even they’ve volunteered services. Being shorthanded is a bear.”

“How well I know. Nick should be back shortly now that his bullshit at the beach house is taken care of.”

“Good thing he didn’t take up your job offer. Imagine how this would look on the department if your deputy lived over the top of a crypt.”

“He’s not the deputy type. If anything, he’d have my job and I’d be dad’s employee at the antique store.”

“Or run for Mayor. Imagine the chaos if that ever happened.”

“No vocal suggestions DeWhitt. Let’s not give the man ideas. Bad enough I turn away from all this BDSM slave crap and his walking Amador and Bearpaw naked in our fine God fairing town. I’m shocked I haven’t been yelled at by current Mayor Topsail. Only a matter of time before Horatio butts in. Nick’s going to have to stand on his own during that. Our illustrious Mayor will be calling soon enough now over this body.”

“Sanchez might buy Horatio. He is buying us some new rides, right? Same for the Rez. Rolling in dough has a lot of pull. Crooked! I might add that is bribery.”

“I don’t care to even know where he gets his money. Best we never ask.” Dolan was not going to go into further detail about Nick’s hacker Dyson, or the fact he employed bounty hunters like Opal Savage. He still had a beef with that bitch.

“Same! I’d feel like we had a target on our back for knowing too much. Anyways, how’s things with Ali now that you have her back home? I still say Oliver Heavy Feather needs jail time. All of the REZsistence do after the crap they put her through.”

“My kid is on her own Herb. I’m done babying her. She’ll be going to live on the Rez with Oliver after a breathing period. You know for damn sure I don’t like that thought, but she’s made up her mind. I threw her out today but last I knew she was clinging to the front porch. No cell! No money! No mercy. I’m done! Newton Waterfall made it clear to Oliver that she was under his watch.”

“Easy to say but the guy is blind.”

“He has eyes everywhere. Don’t be fooled.”

“Sounding more like Nodin Merrick.”

“I’m hoping Nick had a powwow with the Elders that secures her safety. I hate to be beholden to Nick but, I kind of hope he has the guys on their toes. We both know Ali won’t be any angel.”

“Tough situation!” Herb peered down the hole into the crypt. “Lotta dirt on that guy. Who leaves a skeleton in a crypt with no casket?”

“Facts will reveal themselves in time. Head on back up and coordinate for me. I’ll wait on that McDaniel. She has to be calling here soon it’s getting late. Requesting her more than likely pissed off a few people. I just hope... “ He trailed off, deciding not to indulge more than needed, even to his trusted friend Herb. He didn’t need to know about Nick’s personal camera scout watchdog, or any bounty hunter, or some crazy dike hacker who swiped some of his money. The less Dolan said about any of that safeguarded himself for allowing anything to go on in his jurisdiction. All he hoped was that in the end was Nick Sanchez being honorable. Big if!

Herb awaiting him to finish found himself waved on as if Dolan had forgotten his train of thought. DeWhitt presumed his emotional turn had to do with his daughter Alexis. Good enough cover as it were. Once Herb had gone Dolan took out his cell and made a call. A few rings to reply he heard the sweetest voice in the world. “Hey, Caprice! You off work at the diner?”

“An hour ago. I’m hanging with Mindy, and Brit. Brit bought a house and used her cash to get in early so we’re getting ready to go check it out for ourselves. What’s up?”

“More than I care to talk about. Primarily because I shouldn’t discuss things about our new case.”

“New case? Something actually happened around here worth calling it a case?” CC in her station wagon followed Mindy and Britney Saunders to the newly acquired home for Brit and the Biles couple. CC needed friends herself and was quickly adopted by the clan.

“Clinton call Mindy lately? He might have told her. I suppose if he did, I couldn’t get pissed at my new deputy. Only Mayor Topsail knows, my department, and the local cop shops.”

“He might have. We’ve been on the road from Turncoat. Mindy’s all taken care of as far as her and Bear’s belongings. Went smooth having Violet Murphy there to keep Mindy’s Romeo at bay.”

“Good! Fuck it! I’m trusting you to tighten your lips.”

“Around your dick baby.” She chuckled! “Sorry! Bad timing.”

“No sex for me for a spell. Between that bullshit drug that Opal bitch gave me and Ali I’m done for a while.”

“You just need a good massage and some cuddling Dolan. Things will get better. So, fill me in I’ll hush. Wait! What about Brit now that she’s your new dispatch?”

“Just order them to quiet down. We found a long dead body in a hidden crypt below Nick’s house out here at the Shoals. Lillian Bearpaw and Midnight fell a good ten feet onto a skeleton. Had to call in a forensics unit out of Charleston. ETA good question, so me and the squad are housesitting until they arrive.”

“How in the heck did the girls fall into a crypt?”

“There was a dugout area in the concrete floor that had dirt. Nick for some silly reason had the ladies digging it deeper to bury that trunk he bought from Pop’s store. He’s treating it like a treasure chest I’m thinking. I’m trying not to dig but I’ll probably have to once Nick gets here. It is my job.”

“So, Nick wasn’t aware the crypt existed.”

“I don’t believe so. He never looks shocked, so I don’t know. All he did was get the girls out and left the rest to me. His concern is the who it is down there.” He decided to withhold the fact the skeleton had no skull, knowing CC knew there was one at the beach house. That concerned Dolan but he needed to prevent chaos. There was enough of that without this bullshit. “Anyways, listen! I know you and Ali aren’t like the best of friends after earlier, but I did kick her out. Last I knew she was on the front porch sitting on what few belongings she wanted. I’m too busy out here to check on that and dad has a date tonight.”

“I’ll swing by your house here in a few once I know where Brit’s new place is. Want me to bring her here to camp out with us? I’m thinking they want out of the hotel room so the gals might just camp out on the floor.”

“She has the keys already?”

“Nope! But she does own the place it’s on paper. Do you care if she breaks into her own home? Does she need the key? From what I hear there’s no neighbors back there.”

“Yeah! If there’s an issue, she can resolve it in the morning. She’s in an awful big hurry with no furnishings.”

“About that! We’re going to steal the hotel room mattresses. She’ll buy those too.”

“I hired two kleptomaniacs.

“And swept a nympho off her feet.”

“True! Does the house even have running water?”

“Pissing in the backyard.” She laughed! “Candles and peace and quiet. Well, that was the plan until Ali. We’ll live though if you need me. I’ll grab her and keep her safe.”

“Thanks Blondie! It’s crazy but I don’t know what I’ve done without you all this time.”

“Don’t start proposing! Unless Nick has plans to marry us in Puerto Rico like Naomi and Dalton. I am joking!”

“I know you are. You were dumping me a few days back.”

“Only to protect you from Oliver. I think things are going to be a lot quieter now ... shit! He’s hooking up with Ali. Dammit, Dolan! I’ll never be rid of Ollie.”’

“We ride this out together.”

“Deal! I have your back handsome.”

“I have your front.”

“Sweet talker.”

“I think Nick is here.” A call on his squawky talky alerted him thanks to Officer Randall Koones. “Keep me posted.”

“Copy that! Maybe I should join the force.” She laughed!

“I am still shorthanded. I would say a uniform would look snazzy on you but hell, you can’t keep your clothes on for five minutes.”

“If Nick has his way that won’t be a problem.”

“Yeah! Yeah! Talk soon.”

“Bye, Baby!” Click!

“Baby?” Dolan mulled that over. It did sound nice. Hearing the door open again Dolan moved to the bottom of the new stairs. Entering was the man of the hour and new proprietor of Harbinger Shoals, Nick Sanchez freshly showered prior to his return. With Dolan having everything under control there was no immediate reason for Nick to be there right after the tribal elders of the Santee Rez had departed his borrowed beach house.

“I was wondering what took you so long.”

“Was it necessary I be here?”

“Not really! You own this hellhole but there really wasn’t anything you could do here.”

“You as curious as I am?”

“Meaning?”

“Wanna drop down the rabbit hole without disturbing the bones? Shine some lights and see if we can at least spot any clues to point out.”

“Just being down there disturbs clues ... and me frankly. I’d rather we wait on Charleston. That Ivy McDaniel still hasn’t called.”

“Dyson has eyes on. She’s been dealing with her superiors as to why she was selected over more seasoned lab rats.”

“Are you spying on the FBI now?”

“When it comes to knowing who to trust I’d snoop on Biden in the toilet.”

“You’re a national security risk, Sanchez.”

“Probably!” He smirked! “Relax Roster, I’m not the enemy. I just like to keep abreast.”

“Uh huh! Don’t give me reason to arrest you Nick.”

“I’d be out before you cuffed me Dolan. One, I can escape handcuffs like Houdini, and two my lawyers are military grade.”

“You a member of the A-Team?”

“Well, I do have a black person driving a black van.”

“Uh huh! I should arrest her for drugging me.”

“You could. For now, she’s under my protection, just like you are. I have thoughts on how she can make that up to you.”

“I’m not going to be bought like most folks Sanchez. Even if you are buying Caretaker new cars. That’s a fair trade. Don’t think for a second Horatio Topsoil is going to agree with everything you do.”

“With his secrets, I’m pretty sure he will. Can we stop this distrust issue? I’m telling you point blank that I’m not moving here to be some mob boss. I really do want a quiet life.”

“And by quiet you mean walking naked sluts on leashes down the middle of Main Street?”

“Folks will get used to it. What I intend to do for Caretaker will create jobs and rebuild self-esteem. Is there any reason there can’t be a small hospital built here in town? Should people have to go thirty minutes away for health care?”

“You plan on building a hospital?”

“It doesn’t have to be the scale of Cordoba General.”

“Hiring Dr. Freak to run it?”

“We could do worse. You do know she’s hooking up with Nodin Merrick, right?”

“Figures! I did find her interesting, but I have CC now.”

“Yes, you do. When I don’t require her services.”

“Don’t make me shoot you and drop you down that hole.” He laughed! “Are you always an asshole?”

“If I were my money would not rescue this town. You don’t have to trust me, just tolerate my ambitions. As soon as that body is exhumed, I have ideas for that crypt.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“So, Dyson did fill you in further on the FBI.”

“Your laptop lapdog stated to avoid working with agents Lloyd Halifax and a Diedre Carpenter. Mentioned they’re two of the most corrupt agents in the FBI. They’ve been under investigation, but someone has enough clout that they haven’t been able to get anything to stick. Dyson mentioned she was going to make it so that they’re unavailable for this case. She also mentioned we can trust this, Ivy McDaniel.”

“Good. Let’s see what time agent McDaniel blesses us with her presence.”

“Anytime now! If Dyson is on cue like you say she is in watching over their offices. They can’t ignore this long.” Dolan turning in step shot his flashlight beam over to the random shelf of mason jars and the like. “I was looking over that big shelving unit for clues and for some reason I felt a breeze.”

“I’ll share this only with you Dolan. Bearpaw and I found a secret tunnel behind it. Leads up to the barn where the Gladiator is parked. I think there’s another tunnel that leads somewhere else, but we got preoccupied if you get my drift. We had to go back up to the house before we could check it out. Trust established?”

“Work in progress! Preoccupied, huh? Bearpaw slip and land on your dick Sanchez?” Dolan with a sly grin asked.

“Something like that. Here, let’s move the shelving over and check before the forensics team arrive. I really don’t want them snooping in there until I get a good perspective of it.” After moving it over Nick and Dolan proceeded to step into the tunnel to see what else they could find. Going down the original tunnel they found the escape hatch that led up to the barn.

“Needs a new ladder. It was rotted and Bearpaw fell from it. I found another doorway up ahead.”

“She does that a lot out here. Falling! Even for you it seems. First that ladder, then headfirst into the crypt. Not a scratch on the girl from either fall last time I checked her out. I should have known this creepy ass place had tunnels.” Dolan hissed. “Makes you wonder if any of the kids who used to party out here knew about them.”

Following Nick with his light the owner went halfway from where they came in before finding the heavy stone door. “Let’s see if we can open this door up.” Dolan ran his light along the seams fondly remembering all of those treasure hunting movies he watched as a kid with his father Albert.

“Maybe if we tug on this ring it will open.” Dolan pulled a big rusty ring hanging on the side of the door. Halfway lifted he heard a click. The door then started to move toward him before stopping. “That was easy. Indiana Bones and South Carolina Roster!” He chuckled! “Help me pull it open, it looks lodged a bit over time. Probably hasn’t been accessed in decades or longer.” As they pried it free, a pressure system built long ago activated to finish the job. Within was another long hallway leading away from the house. Following it they ran head on into a thick wooden door blocking another access point.

“Wonder where this tunnel leads.” Dolan stated while looking down the dark chamber with a sense of dread.

“I’m guessing it leads to the beach. Could have been an escape hatch for one of the long-departed residents. Wait a second. Hand me your flashlight. Use your cell light.” Nick proceeded further after something shiny caught his attention. Reaching it he grew immediately intrigued. “Is that a jail cell?”

Dolan stepping forward found a small 7’x7’x8’ room with a collar and shackles hanging from chains on the wall, separated from the hallway by jail bars. “Looks like a cell, I heard Harbinger Shoals was once a slave plantation. Maybe it’s from that era.”

“You’re probably right. I like this room. It’s something I could make use of.” Nick looking at the room with its future occupant in mind, grinned at Dolan. He was already imagining Midnight Amador locked up down here between sexual sessions, awaiting his need for her. There was room for Bearpaw as well. Perfect!

Dolan knowing who, felt his dick stir. Still trying to sweat out what’s left of Tigress in his system. “Your property. Let’s see what’s down the rest of the tunnel”

Nick followed Dolan, casually looking over the wall by hand until he and noticed a few loose bricks. Curious, he removed one with relative ease to find a hidden thong. Interestingly with a small white bunny on the front patch and with both spaghetti straps cut. “Hmmm, Trix are for kids.”

“What are you talking about Sanchez? You hungry?” Dolan remembering the breakfast cereal since it was Ali’s favorite growing up.

“Found a loose brick here and these were behind it.” He handed over the musty blue thong.

“Someone must’ve hidden them here. Surely those partying kids never went this far back. These are modern underwear, that cannot be good. And why were the straps cut? It’s not like she got stuck in them.”

“I doubt it was one of them. The door doesn’t look like it’s been opened in a few years. Unless they came from wherever this tunnel leads to. Look, there’s another loose one.” Nick pointed!

Dolan edging around Nick carefully removed the second brick until it escaped its housing. Lifting up on his toes to shine his light into the hole, he saw sparkles. Reaching into it he brought what he had seen out. “This one has a small ring behind it. By the looks of it, a girl’s ring with a pink stone. There are 2 more loose bricks. Feels like these are tiny crypts all to themselves. I’m picking up a bad vibe here Nick.”