Sunken Treasure Lost Worlds

by Hep Aldridge

  That out of the way, the next order of business was Coming up with a working plan for our salvage operation. We needed a means to move the sand that had accumulated at the base of the shoal covering the next crate. We also needed larger lifting bags to bring their contents to the surface. We didn’t want to be observed using a deck-mounted hoist bringing up items from the bottom. That could draw too much unwanted attention to our activities. Even if we weren’t harassed, we were sure we would be watched.

  Based on Doc’s research, the longboat had ten crates on board. We had uncovered two… that meant there were eight more crates waiting to be found. Maybe close to the two we had uncovered, maybe not. We decided to return to the location of the first two crates and continue to remove sand from the undercut of the shoal. We needed to see how far it ran; it was highly possible that some of the other crates may have fallen into the area along the undercut and gotten buried close to the others.

  We would slowly move north along the base of the shoal, using the metal detectors, and see what we could find. I also wanted to have two of the guy’s start a longitudinal grid search about 10 to 15 feet away from the base of the shoal and search that area following the line of the base until we had covered at least twenty feet eastward from the shoal. When the longboat hit the shoal, as heavy as the crates were, they would have probably dropped straight to the bottom. But Mother Nature, being a finicky Old Girl, it’s possible some of them got thrown around in the currents as they fell or even broke up and scattered their contents on the bottom. I wanted to make sure we conducted a thorough search of the entire area.

  We sat around the table discussing this rather matter-of-factly, and I couldn’t help but get the sense that the enormity of our situation hadn’t really sunk in on the crew. I was viewing the whole thing as a surreal experience. Here we had found enough treasure to make us all millionaires, and we hadn’t even found the ship yet, only part of the cargo on the longboat. It was crazy how many millions still waited to be recovered from the ocean floor.

  Whoa, boy, pull back the reins, Colt; you’re getting a little ahead of yourself here, and that could be dangerous. I mentally reeled myself back in and got into the conversation at the table. Junkyard said he could make us an air-lift with bits and pieces he had lying around, some six-inch PVC pipe, air hose, and a scuba tank. We all understood that, whatever we did, it couldn’t look like we were excavating or looking for treasure; it had to be covert. If we were detected we would have the Feds on us in a heartbeat. Coming up with a plan for our search and recovery was beComing problematic. It’s easy in the movies, but in real life it’s a bitch! We needed a cover!

  The recent contact with our new “friends” and the delivery of our “message” left me feeling we no longer needed to station a vessel on the shoal immediately as previously planned. I figured it would be safe for the time being, and I would let Gus know in the morning that he could stand down for a while. In fact, I felt it a good idea to stay away from the shoal and just let Tony’s birds keep an eye on it for us till we were sure things had cooled down. I also thought Dimitri and I should keep a low profile at the port for the time being.

  I told the guys we needed to be concerned about our meetings and conversations. In the beginning, it was all fun and games, but now, we were up to our asses in a situation that could prove disastrous for all of us. I said I think we need to change our meeting places and be more cautious in our daily activities. Call it paranoia or whatever you like, but the safety of this team and our discovery had beCome paramount in my mind. I call it Common sense.

  There was a murmur of agreement and I said I also think we need to bring Fitz into any future discussions. He had been the man behind the curtain mostly, but an indispensable member of our group and unbelievably resourceful. All agreed. I also told everyone I thought we should move our main base of operations to the mainland away from the Lisa B and Tony’s place. Again agreement, Joe asked if I had any ideas and I told him I did. A spot in an industrial area near my place, but I needed to check it out further. I could do that tomorrow, I said.

  Lawrence said why not put further discussions about the project on hold till we could set up the new secure meeting place and get word to Fitz. In the meantime, he said, let’s let Junkyard work on his lift idea so that when we moved forward with the salvage operation, we could have it ready to go. Joe volunteered to follow up on the new lift bags, and I said I would let them all know what I found out about the potential facility as soon as I had more information. We all agreed and cold beers were distributed to end the formal part of the meeting.

  Dimitri regaled the group with his story of the offshore “Zombie hunt” and details of the 38-foot Fountain and its capabilities with its two 502 Supercharged Chevy Big blocks. I interjected a few of my observations concerning our 90 to 100 mph white knuckle run off-shore and my meeting with Sonny Crockett of Miami Vice fame to rounds of laughter by the group. The evening drew to a close to more stories and beer till finally the group started saying their good byes and headed out with smiles on their faces, their new-found financial stability in the brown paper bags they carried. Excitement filled the air as they departed with the expectation of a grand adventure in our futures. We were all oblivious to the magnitude of what this adventure was about to throw in our laps!

  The next day, I took a drive into the industrial park on the mainland after a call to Gus, giving him an update on the situation. He said the delay was good. It would give him and his crew more time to prepare and Tony time to finish the Computer systems installation at the dock as opposed to at sea. Dimitri was contacting Fitz, and Lawrence was doing more research into Admiralty Law concerning the process of placing a claim in Federal waters, so things were moving along at a good pace.

  I had remembered a small gun manufacturing Company that had started up in our area some time ago. Over the years, they had outgrown their original facility and a couple of years ago had moved to a larger facility in a new location. Their old place had been empty and for lease for all this time. It was a secure area with some unique features that made it hard to lease. It was not your normal industrial space, which for most purposes was bad, but for our needs, I thought was perfect.

  I had contacted the realtor and met them at the facility at 1:00 that afternoon. The building was about 12,000 sq. ft. surrounded by a ten-foot chain-link fence with barbed wire leaning outward across the top, for a total height of 12 feet. Inside, the building had a loading dock and a roll-up cargo entrance door, large enough for a cargo van and medium sized truck to pull into the building. The previous tenant had left the security system behind, which was good, punch code on a key pad with thumb print recognition. When we got inside, the building was fully air-conditioned with a large cargo/work area, and offices on the ground floor, plus more offices and a conference room in a loft arrangement overlooking the cargo/work area below. In a corner on the ground floor in what I guessed was a security office was a large steel bar door behind which was a large bank-vault Combination-lock type door.

  I asked about that, and the realtor said it had been a prototype storage area for the previous Company. They had it specially installed, and she had been told it was as well constructed and as secure as any bank vault in the area. I smiled inwardly and said the Company I represent wouldn’t have much use for something like that. Her smile dropped, but I added it wouldn’t really be a problem. The smile came back. As we walked around the outside, I saw ample parking in front and on the side. The rear parking lot was large enough to hold several tractor-trailer trucks, which meant it was large enough for a helicopter to land. Since there was a 50-foot cleared security area around the outside perimeter, and all power and teleCom cables were underground, there would be no obstructions or dangers for a chopper Coming in.

  As we walked back around the front, I asked, “How much to lease the property?”

  The agent almost apologetically said, “The owner wants $3,500 dollars a month,” trying to maintain her smile. />
  Although this was an older facility, it was in great shape, so I played my next card, “How long has it been empty?” I asked.

  She replied rather slowly, “A little over two years.”

  I then said “The environmental research Company I represent is grant funded and really can’t afford that level of rent,” and waited.

  The silence grew as her smile faded, then she spoke again and said, “There might be a little flexibility in the price.” She also said she would need to consult with the owner as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

  I said, “Please do. I am interested in the property but not at that price.”

  She excused herself and stepped away as she dialed a number. There was an animated discussion for a few minutes; then she walked back to me. She had the phone in her hand with the owner obviously still on the line. They could probably rent it for $3,000 per month if I were really interested. I hesitated as if thinking about the offer when, in reality, I was thinking this was chump change Compared to the assets we already had on hand, but I was playing a game here and did not want to show my hand as a big spender. People may talk, and that might provoke more interest in our activities than we would want. After a minute, I said, “I will make one offer and, if that is not acceptable, I will look elsewhere.” I said it loud enough so the person on the other end of the line could hear me. “I will pay $2000 per month for a one-year lease, not rent, with an agreement for a second year at the same price. Further, I will pay the full one year’s lease of 24 thousand dollars in advance upon our signing of the contract, providing we can close the deal within the week, and we can move in on the weekend.” I was banking on the fact that the reduced price would be better than the owner continuing to have an empty Commercial building just sitting there and having cash up front would sweeten the deal.

  The agent put the phone to her ear and took a step away as she relayed what I said to the owner. After only a minute or two, the agent came back, smiling and said, “Dr. Burnett, you have a deal. Can you meet in my office day after tomorrow, Thursday, say 1:00?” I said I could and shook hands with a thrilled real estate agent.

  As I pulled out of the parking lot I put a call in to Fitz, was put on hold, and a moment later he came on the line, “Hey Colt, what’s up?”

  I quickly filled him in on the latest happenings and he burst out laughing. “Jesus Christ boy, you’re having more fun than I am, and that’s saying something!”

  I replied, “I’m not sure it’s what I would call fun, but it hasn’t been boring.” I told him of the rental property and the phony environmental Company cover.

  He said to hold on a minute, and when he came back on the line, he said, “Use Consolidated Environmental Services.”

  I said, “What?”

  He said, “Yeah, that’s one of mine; they have been known to do contract work for NOAA, the Navy, and a few others. It will stand up to the closest scrutiny. You are now a subsidiary of Acme Corp. I’ll send official documents to Tony electronically in case you need them, then you’ll be all nice and legal; you should be set.”

  Damn, Fitz Comes through again. “Thanks,” I said and asked when he could get over here for a meeting. He said he would have some time on Monday of next week. I said that would be fine and, “By the way you wouldn’t happen to have a spare chopper with the environmental Companies logo on it, would you?”

  “Damn Colt, anything else you need, corporate jet, limo…?”

  I laughed and said, “No, not yet, but I’ll let you know.”

  He laughed again and said, “Seriously, everything good over there?” I assured him it was, and we would bring him up to speed on Monday. We said our goodbyes, and I hit Tony on speed dial. He picked up on the second ring, “Hey, Colieutenant”

  I told him to expect the electronic documents from Fitz and about the new corporate office.

  “Cool,” he said and reported no new activity in the shoal area since our altercation. That was good news. He said he would let me know as soon as the documents came in and print out a couple of copies for us.

  We hung up, and I immediately called Joe and told him to buy us a white cargo van, not new, but a couple of years old, no clunker. He said he would get right on it and let me know when he had it. I headed for the port to meet with Gus and give him an update.  When I got to the Falcon, a new face greeted me, “You must be Dr. Burnett,” he said as I stepped up to the small gangplank.

  I stuck out my hand and said, “Colieutenant”

  “Petty Officer First Class Bill Simpson,” he replied, standing at attention, “my friends call me Wild Bill, Sir.”

  “Great to meet you,” I replied “You’re one of Gus’s old crew?”

  “Yes, Sir, we served together our last eight years in the Navy, and then I crewed for him while he was fishing here, me and Smitty both.”

  “Where’s Gus?” I asked.

  "The Master Chief is below with Smitty."

  “Smitty?” I questioned.

  “Yes Sir, Chief Boatswains mate Reginald Smith, Sir, he don’t like to be called Reginald or Reggie, so we just call him Smitty." I thanked him and headed into the cabin. Master Chief I thought, I’d never known Gus’s Naval rating before this. That was the highest enlisted rating you could get in the Navy, and they didn’t just give those away. Another bit of information about Gus to file away, I thought as I made my way below decks.

  I found them both in the engine Compartment having a heated discussion about something to do with the large diesel generator that sat next to the engine. As I approached, Gus saw me, and his demeanor changed with a big grin spreading across his face. He said, “Captain Burnett, welCome aboard again.” I nodded and took his extended hand. He turned to Smitty and said, “Chief, this is Captain Burnett, our employer.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Sir.”

  “Likewise, Smitty,” I said. “Problems?” I asked.

  “Nothing we can’t handle, Sir,” Smitty replied.

  Gus nodded at him and said “Let me know when you’re finished.”

  “Aye, Master Chief,” Smitty replied as Gus and I turned and left the engine room.

  I asked, “Gus, got a few minutes?”

  “Yes, Sir,” he replied as he led the way to the galley and the small table there. He opened the fridge and pulled out two cold bottles of beer as we sat at the table. He passed one my way and said, “I’m all ears, Sir.”

  “Please, Gus, it’s Colt; enough with this Sir stuff.”

  He took a swig from his bottle and said, “I understand but, the man in charge has always been a Sir to us, and that’s the way we like it. We’re Comfortable with it, and anything different would be real hard to get used to. I’ll try, Colt, but no guarantees.”

  I said, “Fine,” and decided not to push the issue any further. I went over the last couple of days’ events with Gus to bring him up to speed. When I got to Dimitri’s part, he got kind of wide-eyed and said, “Now that’s a man I’m looking forward to meeting.”

  “You’ll get your chance soon enough, but be careful what you wish for,” I said with a smile. “Considering recent events, as I told you on the phone, we have bought ourselves a little more time to prepare for your departure, so that takes the pressure off us all. Continue with your preparations and let me know if you need anything. Has Tony finished with the Computer installations?” I asked.

  “Yes, Sir,” Gus replied, “not sure what I’ll do with all that stuff, but Tony said he could teach me and the boys what we need to know in short order. Guess I know how some of our extra time will be spent.”

  “Not to worry Gus, you’ll pick it up in no time, and if you have questions, give Tony a shout.” He said he would as I finished my beer and stood up. “Anything else we need to go over while I’m here?” I asked. He said he couldn’t think of anything and that they would be ready to haul anchor whenever I gave the word. “Great,” I said.

  As I turned to leave, Gus said, “Colt,” and I turned back. “I just
wanted to say thank you for what you’re doing for me and my little girl.” Those blue-grey eyes were misting up. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

  I clasped him on the shoulder and said, “Gus, you being part of this team and doing your job is all the thanks I need.”

  He looked at me and said, “Till Hell freezes over, Sir… and the devil goes ice skating!”

  I looked him in the eye and said, “Roger that, Master Chief, roger that” and walked out.

  Chapter Ten

  The deal went through on the building lease without a hitch. Consolidated Environmental Services now operated an office in Cocoa. Joe got the van purchased a 2015 Ford E-350, a nice one ton heavy hauler. They made our signs on Friday for the van and exterior of the building and on Saturday we moved into our new digs. The security system guys and a locksmith showed up on Saturday. They re-activated the security system and changed the combination on the vault The power hadn't been disconnected; that meant we had power and A/C for all our systems, no issues there. The previous tenants left furniture, two desks and some chairs, a conference table and its chairs, and some cabinets. They also left metal storage racks in the bay area which we knew we could use. Tony came in to set up a new Computer system. Joe checked out the outside for additional surveillance camera placement. By the time Sunday evening arrived we were pretty well moved in. We stocked the new fridge with our favorite beverages. Joe got the outside electronic locking gate and security system activated. We tied in the existing surveillance cameras to our Computer system. We weren’t Fort Knox, but we were damn close. I decided when we met with Fitz at our new office, we would move our “resources” to the vault That would sure make me sleep better; besides, my dirty laundry hamper was overflowing.

  Risky Business had turned the page on a new chapter in its story and, so far in our minds, it was a barn burner. We met at 1:00 the next afternoon; Fitz showed up at 1:05 with Ms. Shannon O’Reilly in tow, much to the delight of Dimitri and Lawrence.