103

The sun is sinking low behind the marshes, casting long shadows and warm light across the porch. The Pogues are huddled in a loose circle—KAGE, JOHN B, JJ, POPE, KIARA, and SARAH—perched on old chairs, cooler lids, and the edge of the steps. The air is thick with humidity and unspoken fear.

Pope being dead serious."We need to have total and complete amnesia."

JJ smirking, nudging Pope."Pope's right. For once."he looked at Pope and added."See? I agree with you sometimes. Deny, deny, deny."

Kiara shook her head and said."We can't keep that money."

JJ retorted."Not everyone's on a trust fund with unlimited data, Kie—

Kiara cut in."This isn't about money, JJ. It's karma. We pass it on to Lana Grubbs or we're cursed. Simple."

JJ muttered."Oh boy."

Pope was quiet, tense and added."Bad karma's one thing. Getting roped into a felony? That's something else."He looked at everyone and said."We gotta go dark."

JJ smiled and said."If "going dark" means I get to keep my cut... then sure, I'm in."

Kage sighed and said."Don't worry the cops that came are already dividing the leftover money, they are not registering it as evidence. So no one will find out about the stolen money."

JJ smiled and said."So we are in the clear."

Kiara looks down, struggling with the weight of it. Finally, she nods—reluctantly.

While Sarah gently added."Just... don't blow it all at once. People ask questions when broke kids start flashing cash."

Everyone nodded, while Pope exhales, like that settles it. But then—silence. A shift in the mood. All eyes turn to John B and Kage, who hasn't said a word.

John B stares into the distance, jaw clenched.He mutters softly, almost to himself."Something about Scooter Grubbs doesn't sit right."

They all look at him. JJ leans forward, interested now.

John B added."Scooter Grubbs used to beg for gas money at the Sav-A-Lot. He bought singles at the Porthole with couch change. He was a marina rat. Had maybe forty bucks on him—on a good day. And now he's got a brand-new Grady White?"

The group goes quiet. The golden light flickers on their faces as the weight of his words settles in.

John B continues."Around here, there's only one way a broke marina rat ends up with a boat like that. Square grouper, bro. Storm season's a free pass—no radar sweeps, no aerials. If you survive, you score."

JJ connecting the dots."He was smuggling."

Kage added his thoughts."Or something else."

Everyone turns to Kage, they knew John B's brother had much sharper eyes and a sharper mind.

Kage added."Grubbs had a lot of contact with your dad... before he disappeared. I think he got paid off. Or... he found something Big John was chasing."

John B's eyes light up—suddenly electric."You don't think... my dad found it?"

JJ confused questioned."Found what?"

John B stands abruptly and heads toward the door, motioning for Kage to follow. The others scramble to their feet, curiosity piqued."My dad was obsessed with one thing—" John B turning back, eyes burning with excitement added." The HMS Royal Merchant. Went down in the 1800s. Supposed to have four hundred million dollars in British gold."

The group freezes. Time seems to stretch."

Four hundred million?"

JJ whispers."No way."

John B disappears inside, Kage on his heels. The others exchange loaded glances. The sun dips below the horizon, the world slipping into shadow.

John B added."We have go back to Grady?"

Kage nodded and said."Maybe we might eve find something related to your father's disappearance."

John B hoped it would, he gave his brother a hug.