Secrets of the Treasure King Read online

  On my way to the kitchen, I wonder if Mr. West is super forgetful, or if he just really likes the same thing for breakfast every day. Our daily menu changes, but Scotch Eggs haven’t been the special since last month. At least Marquetta doesn’t mind taking special requests. She always says that as long as we have the ingredients and the guests are okay with a little extra wait, she’ll make whatever they want.

  Just like I thought, Marquetta’s already working. After we exchange a morning hug, I put on my apron and tell her I saw Mr. West. “He wants the same thing for breakfast again.”

  “No worries, Sweetie. Mr. West is a nice man. Let’s make sure this last breakfast is one he really enjoys.” Marquetta raises her eyebrows a couple times and smiles at me. “What about Mrs. King?”

  “I think she’s still asleep, but I’ll totally put them at the same table for breakfast.”

  We exchange a high five. Mr. West and Mrs. King would make an awesome couple, so me and Marquetta have been working on getting them together.

  “Today’s our last day to make it happen,” Marquetta says.

  “I’ve got a plan. I’ll get pictures at breakfast and email them. They’ll totally have to write to each other after they leave.”

  “Good girl. Now, I’m going to need more onion. Can you dice?”

  I give Marquetta two thumbs up. Ever since she taught me how to hold a chef’s knife, she says my knife skills have been improving. I can chop almost as fast as she can, and way faster than my dad. While I grab an onion from the fridge, Marquetta pulls out a big bowl for pancake batter. Daddy’s still upstairs, so it’s my chance to ask about Deputy Baker.

  “Marquetta? You went to school with our new deputy, right? What’s she like?”

  “It was high school, and I haven’t heard from her since she left Seaside Cove to attend the police academy.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why haven’t you heard from her?”

  “Let’s just say we grew apart. Okay?” Marquetta’s jaw gets tight, then she takes a deep breath. “Pamela was always very career-focused. She knew she wanted to be in law enforcement when she was young, so she kept up her grades and graduated near the top of her class. Hint, hint.”

  Even though Marquetta’s not really my mom, she pays attention to my grades and what I’m doing in school, just like my dad. It’s nice ‘cause I know they both care. I’ve cut the onion in half the way Marquetta taught me and start slicing. “Has Seaside Cove High gotten any bigger since you were there?”

  “No. And it won’t change much by the time you get there, either.”

  “How come if the class size was so small you and Deputy Baker didn’t stay friends after high school?”

  Marquetta sets down the milk for the pancake batter and looks straight at me. It’s what I call her Mom-stare. “What are you getting at, Alex?”

  “I just thought you would’ve stayed friends. It’s like a small-town thing. Right? Everybody knows everybody else.”

  “That’s true, but when people move, things change. How much contact do you have with your old friends in New York?”

  Okay. I get that. What I don’t get is why Marquetta is acting all weird. She’s always good about explaining stuff, but with Deputy Baker it’s like she doesn’t want to talk about it. What’s up with that?

  “It was different when me and Daddy moved here. In New York I didn’t have any close friends. But in Seaside Cove, everybody’s like one big family.”

  “And families sometimes have problems.” She adds the milk to the bowl as she’s talking. “We had a little bit of a falling out, Sweetie. That’s all. I’m sure it’s water under the bridge. She’s probably forgotten all about it.”

  Wow. Marquetta’s being super-evasive. “Did either of you get expelled from school for what happened?”

  “What? No.” Marquetta looks over at my cutting board, then at me. “Have you finished with that onion yet?”

  I make one final cut and move the onion from the cutting board to a prep bowl. “Yup. All done. Why did you have a falling out? Was she mean to you?” I can’t imagine Marquetta being mean to anybody.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you are one persistent young lady?”

  “You. And Daddy. All the time.”

  Marquetta laughs and points to the board. “Once you get that board cleaned off, you can start the burner under the skillet.”

  I look up at her, smile, and raise my eyebrows. “Well?”

  “Oh lord, you are impossible. Fine. There was a boy we both liked in our junior year. He was a senior and both of us wanted to go to prom with him.”

  “Who’d he pick?”

  Marquetta closes her eyes, then leans against the counter and sighs. “He picked me because I told him she wasn’t interested. I felt so guilty over stealing my best friend’s date that I was miserable all night.”

  “Wait! What? You and Deputy Baker were BFFs? And you stole her date for the prom? I don’t believe it.”

  “I tried to make it up to her afterwards, but she wouldn’t listen. The truth is, we haven’t spoken since.”

  I blink a couple times. Whoa. That’s huge. And I don’t know what to say ‘cause Marquetta never does anything mean.

  Marquetta waves her hand like she’s dismissing the whole thing. “Like I said, she’s probably forgotten all about it. I’m sure she’s very competent. She certainly knows her Seaside Cove history.”

  Maybe my idea about talking to Deputy Baker is better than I thought. I wonder if I could get them back together? “Maybe I should write about her for the Cove Talkers Newsletter.”

  Behind me, I hear my dad’s voice. “Who are you going to write about?”

  “Deputy Baker. Since she used to live here, it would be nice to let the town know she’s back.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Alex,” Marquetta says. “We wouldn’t want to make her uncomfortable.”

  “If you want to do a profile, maybe you should do something about a local business,” Daddy says. “I’ll bet there are plenty of good stories out there. Why don’t you let Deputy Baker get settled back into life in Seaside Cove before you make her the center of attention?”

  “But, Daddy…”

  “Marquetta’s right, Alex. I haven’t met this new deputy yet, so I’d prefer it if I could do that before you start in on her. What about Joe Gray? He knows everything about what goes on in town. You could talk to him and see if there’s a local business you could profile.”

  I sigh. “Okay.”

  A local business won’t be nearly as interesting as interviewing a lady cop, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. I’ll have to think of another way. It’s what our handyman Mr. Van Horn calls an angle.

  I know, right? Totally persistent.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Rick

  AT EIGHT-FIFTEEN, Rick began his morning ritual. He went from table-to-table, thanked the guests for staying at the B&B, then welcomed them to linger in the dining room for as long as they wanted. At eight-thirty, with the breakfast service ended, he bused tables and sent Alex into the kitchen to help Marquetta. When he was done, he took a last look around and went into the kitchen.

  Marquetta was sitting at the kitchen island. She had a bowl of fruit and one of yogurt for herself and Rick. Alex was carrying a bowl of oatmeal to her regular spot.

  “Who’s left out there?” Marquetta asked.

  “Just Mr. West and Mrs. King.” Rick pulled out the stool next to Marquetta.

  “Are they still sitting together?” Alex’s face lit up in a smile.

  “As a matter of fact, they are.” Rick frowned and looked at Alex as he sat. “Why do you two look like a couple of Cheshire cats? Alex, what have you done?”

  Alex put her oatmeal on the counter and hopped up on the stool. “Nothing,” she said casually.

  “Baloney. Have you been playing matchmaker again?”

  “I got their pictures and their email addresses. That
’s all.” Alex stuck her spoon in her bowl and stirred a couple of times. She looked up and added, “I did kinda suggest they stay in touch after they leave.”

  “They’re both widowed, and they have a number of things in common. And they get along famously,” Marquetta said.

  “Oh, no. Not you, too.” Rick looked at Marquetta, then Alex. “Can’t two people just enjoy each other’s company without everyone trying to turn it into a grand romance?”

  Marquetta and Alex exchanged a quick glance, then Alex gave him a thumbs-down.

  “Ditto,” Marquetta said. “Sorry, boss, but you’re outvoted.”

  “This is supposed to be a bed-and-breakfast, not a…a dating facility.”

  Alex rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “Let me try and explain this to you,” Marquetta said. “The B&B is a small place. If we have two lonely people staying here at the same time, there’s a strong possibility they’ll meet. And if the sparks fly, then who are we to stop them?”

  “I don’t remember there being any sparks right away. You two helped that along.”

  Alex clanked her spoon against the side of her bowl and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Daddy, chill. It’s a girl thing.”

  Rick nearly choked on his yogurt. He swallowed, then said, “My own daughter’s telling me to chill? Seriously—wait…you two have done something.” He looked at both of them and wiggled his fingers. “It’s not chill time, it’s spill time. What else did you do?”

  “It was nothing. Just a little phone call. That’s all.” Marquetta grinned sheepishly at Rick.

  “To?” Rick demanded.

  “The Crooked Mast. Last night. I told you—it was nothing.” Marquetta and Alex exchanged a high five and a self-satisfied giggle.

  “You totally rocked it,” Alex said.

  Rick massaged his forehead with his fingers. “On second thought, I don’t think I want to know about this phone call. Let’s change the subject. Alex, I didn’t know you were interested in doing another story for the Cove Talkers Newsletter.”

  “I wanted to write about Deputy Baker, but you guys said I should do a business profile instead.”

  Rick’s jaw muscles tightened ever so slightly. Since they’d moved to Seaside Cove, he’d discovered just how much Alex enjoyed solving crimes, both large and small. Her fascination scared him to death. On the other hand, he’d raised Alex to be strong. Reluctantly, he asked, “What made you want to do a story on Deputy Baker?”

  “Because she chased down a burglar and showed the whole town that girls can do anything they want to.”

  “That’s true,” Rick said. “You have to remember, though. That’s her job. It’s what she was hired to do.”

  “I agree,” Marquetta said.

  “Business owners just do what they’re supposed to do, too. How’s that any different?” Alex asked.

  “That’s what you get to find out when you interview one of them,” Rick said. “You can ask how they go out of their way to make someone’s life better. I think Joe Gray would be an excellent subject.”

  “Marquetta, doesn’t Mr. Gray do a lot of business with people from out of town ‘cause they all want to find the San Manuel?”

  “That’s true, but even the experts aren’t sure where the San Manuel is yet, Sweetie.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m gonna ask him how he keeps them all happy when they don’t find the treasure.”

  “Good idea,” Rick said. “All these treasure hunters come in with high expectations. Most of them get disillusioned very quickly.” Good. It sounded as if they’d sparked Alex’s interest. “These people come in unprepared and get the results you’d expect. There’s no substitute for hard work and preparation. You know that, right?”

  “For sure. I’ll be prepared for when I do my interview.”

  “Excellent,” Rick said. “Be confident, too. If Joe tells you stuff you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

  Alex took her bowl to the sink, but didn’t respond until she returned. “What kind of stuff?”

  “Nautical stuff,” Rick said.

  Marquetta laughed. “Oh my God. You are so making this up as you go along!”

  Rick crossed his arms over his chest and looked directly at her. “All right, Miss Smarty Pants, what would you tell her?”

  “I’d say to believe in herself and do her research so she can ask intelligent questions. For instance, do you know what types of boats Mr. Gray rents out?”

  Alex shook her head.

  “Well, he has a variety, everything from small sailboats to large cabin cruisers. At one point he had a triple-masted tall ship replica, but he sold that about ten years ago. There was no market for something like that here after everyone started coming for treasure. Would you like me to tell you more?”

  Rick cleared his throat. “Show off.”

  Marquetta smiled, then stood. “Don’t mind your dad, Sweetie. He’s just grumpy because he thought he could get away with faking it.”

  “I’m not grumpy,” Rick declared as he stood and took his dishes to the sink. “Anyway, I always had to prepare when I was working a story in New York. A good reporter knows their subject.” He returned to the island and gave Marquetta a sideways glance. “So they don’t get caught by some show-off. Now, what are you up to today?”

  “Me and Robbie and Sasha wanted to ride our bikes. Can I?”

  “Sure. I think you deserve a little play time. Go have a good time with your friends.”

  “Just be back here in time for lunch,” Marquetta said. “And if you want, bring Sasha and Robbie with you. I’m sure your dad won’t mind hosting a little pizza party for the three of you.”

  “Pizza? Awesome!” Alex hugged Marquetta, then looked at Rick. “Can we? Please?”

  “How could I refuse such an enthusiastic request? Of course. Now, Miss Atwood, you are hereby released from kitchen duty for the rest of this morning. Go get yourself ready to have some fun.”

  “Yes, sir.” Alex saluted, then giggled.

  When the butler door swished closed behind her, Rick moved next to Marquetta. “That was nice of you. Offering to make pizza for them.”

  “Who said anything about making a pizza? I’m going to order out.”

  Rick placed his fingertip under her chin and lifted. Their lips met and Rick’s pulse quickened. “Brilliant, as usual.”

  Marquetta sighed. “And don’t you forget it. Now, I need to get back to work. My boss let my best helper take the morning off.”

  “I’m just happy you diverted her away from interviewing Deputy Baker. I’d like to limit her exposure to the Seaside Cove Police Department.”

  “That’s shouldn’t be too hard; it is only two people. But, what about Adam? Are you saying you want him to stay away from the B&B?”

  “Adam’s a special case.”

  “Because he’s your best friend? Or because he’s now the Chief of Police?”

  “Does this have to be an either-or question?”

  “There you go again, making it up as you go along,” Marquetta said with a smile.

  “Watch yourself, Ms. Weiss. I understand your boss can get quite cranky when he’s shown up.”

  “Then I’ll try not to do that.” A few seconds later, she added, “Too often.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Alex

  MARCH 26

  Hey Journal,

  Not only do I get the rest of the morning off, but Sasha and Robbie are coming over for pizza. This is gonna be an awesome day. Now if I can just get Daddy and Marquetta on a dinner date, everything will be perfect! Let’s face it, Journal, my biological clock is ticking and I totally want a baby sister while I’m still young enough to enjoy her.

  Tell you what, I just had an idea… I’m going to tell my dad he should take Marquetta to dinner at the Crooked Mast. That way they can have a little alone time. Somebody’s gotta take the initiative to move this relationship along. Right?

  Bye for now,
/>   Alex

  I never had a bike when we lived in New York. And after we moved here, it took a while for my dad to agree I could have one. It’s super awesome now ‘cause me and Robbie and Sasha can go anywhere we want. We usually like Seaside Cove Park ‘cause we can hang out on the swings and the jungle gym. But when we get there, everything’s under water.

  Sasha lays down her bike and walks to the edge of the playground area. “What's going on?”

  Robbie puts down the kickstand and parks his bike the way you're supposed to. He's like that, always following the rules. Sometimes I wonder why I want to marry him. I mean, he's like so goody-goody, but then I look into his dreamy blue eyes and I get all mushy again.

  “It's flooded,” Robbie sounds super bummed out. He points at where the swing seats are floating on top of the water. “The swings look like they’re coming out of a lake.”

  “Wow. We had the same exact thing happen at the B&B a couple days after the rain started. We had a clogged drain out by the gazebo. My dad had some guy come out to open it up. He said it was kind of expensive.”

  “Maybe the town doesn’t have the money to fix it,” Sasha says.

  Robbie moves closer to the edge of the lake. “Maybe nobody’s complained.”

  Sasha looks at me. “You totally should call the mayor.”

  “Yeah, Alex,” Robbie says. “You should totally call her.”

  They’re both looking at me like I’m BFFs with the mayor or something. “Just ‘cause I know Mayor Carter, doesn’t mean I should be the one to give her this kind of bad news. No way. I’m not gonna do it.”

  “But Alex, she’ll listen to you,” Sasha says. “She like, gave you the keys to the town.”

  That’s a major exaggeration. But she did thank me for solving that murder. And I have to admit that of the three of us, I’m like the one the mayor will actually listen to. It’s two against one, so they eventually win and when I call, Mayor Carter is cool about the whole thing. The call only lasts for a couple minutes.