Clive Cussler: Pirate

“Remi and I are foreigners,” said Sam. “I don’t see how we can help.”

“I don’t understand,” said Aldridge. “The treasure never would have been discovered without the two of you.

“Because of your contribution to the British Realm, you could achieve the honor of knighthood,” added Aldridge.

“Sir Sam,” said Remi with a wide smile. “I couldn’t live with him.”

Sam gave Remi a dark look. “Spread the word that it was the three of you, working as a team, who found and deciphered the key to the cipher that led to the hidden trove.”

“And don’t forget to mention Madge Crowley and her theory about the king’s riches secretly hidden by William the Marshal, Earl of Pembroke,” added Remi.

“Because of him,” said Nigel, “the king’s treasure never left Castle Newark, while William spread the story that it was lost in the fens during a storm. Unfortunately, a week later he was killed in battle with the French and the secret of the treasure’s location died with him.”

“I wish we could stay while the treasure is studied and restored, but we have a plane to catch at Heathrow.”

“Can’t you stay for a few days?” asked Percy.

Sam gave a slight shake of his head. “We’re truly sorry, but we have important business at home that can’t wait.”

“But you will come back?” pleaded Nigel.

“We promise to return,” said Remi. She kissed all three on the cheek as Sam gave each a warm, masculine hug.

Sam and Remi climbed into the car, waved, and drove away.

Remi waved until they were out of sight. “I could have sworn Percy and Nigel had tears in their eyes as we left them.”

“They weren’t the only ones,” said Sam.

“Me too,” said Remi, dabbing her cheeks with a Kleenex.

For the first time in two weeks, Sam looked relaxed. He glanced at Remi, who was absorbed with something on her cell phone that made her laugh.

“What’s so amusing?”

“This.” She showed him a photo of the treasure taken after the three of them opened at least twelve chests, revealing much of the gold, gemstones, and King John’s crown jewels. “I sent it to Alexandra, who emailed it to Charles. Apparently right after he opened it, the police arrived and arrested him.”

“That’s got to hurt.” He took one final look at Newark Castle in the rearview mirror. “Now that our work here is done, how about that vacation I promised you?”

“Forget it, Fargo. You’re never going to top this,” she said as she gave his knee a tight squeeze. “Best vacation. Ever.”

Clive Cussleris the author of more than fifty books in five bestselling series, including Dirk Pitt, NUMA Files, Oregon Files, Isaac Bell, and Fargo. His life nearly parallels that of his hero, Dirk Pitt. Whether searching for crashed aircraft or leading expeditions to find famous shipwrecks, he and his NUMA crew of volunteers have discovered more than seventy-five ships of historic significance, including the long-lost Confederate submarine Hunley , which was raised in 2000 with much press publicity. Like Pitt, Cussler collects classic automobiles. His collection features more than eighty examples of custom coachwork. Cussler lives in Arizona and Colorado.

Robin Burcellspent nearly three decades working in California law enforcement as a police officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and FBI-trained forensic artist. She is the author of eleven novels, most recently The Last Good Place . Burcell lives in Northern California.