Pirate (29 page)

S
am expected that Percy and Aldridge would be returning to Percy's home, not to a shopping district in town.

Percy directed Sam where to park. “The entrance is about a five-minute walk from here,” he said, leading them down a cobbled street past several storefronts. He stopped before a tailor's shop. “The map's in here.”

Remi looked up at the sign. “You're kidding.”

Percy's face lit up as he held open the door. “Quite unexpected, wouldn't you say?”

Remi then glanced around the shop. “I guess I was expecting something . . . different.”

“The entire city is sitting on tunnels and caves. A lot to look through.”

Apparently Percy was related to the owner, a second cousin, who was used to Percy's unexpected visits. He walked them to the back of the store, then opened a door. A stone staircase led
down to darkness, and Percy stood there a moment, eyeing it. “Don't forget the electric torch on your way down.”

Aldridge opened a nearby cabinet. Several flashlights stood on the shelf, and he handed one to each of them.

They started down the stone steps, the temperature cooling as they descended. “This is my favorite,” Percy said, “the first I'd ever been in. I knew, from that moment on, I wanted to explore every one of them.”

Sam brought up the rear, wondering exactly where it was Percy stored this map. “How many caves are there?” he asked.

“Over seventy-five, and counting. Most have been lost due to building and garden encroachments. Others have slowly collapsed after eight hundred years. Sadly, few people even know they exist outside of those opened as an historic attraction.”

“And this cave?” Sam asked, shining his light on the fairly smooth walls, noting that shelves had been carved into the side where things had been stored. “What was it used for?”

“The previous shop owners used it as a wine cellar.” He led them through the cavern into a tunnel that opened into another wider space. “Hand-carved. Sandstone. Centuries before that, people lived in here. Actually, in caves all over the city. The entrances were carved aboveground to prevent flooding when the river overflowed. It's all quite fascinating.”

“One question,” Sam said when he realized this last cavern was a dead end. “What does this have to do with Robin Hood and your map?”

“Robin Hood?” Percy turned a confused glance toward Aldridge. “I thought they wanted to see this one. Did I tell you it was the first one I'd ever been in?”

“You did,” Aldridge said.

Sam looked at Remi, who kept a bland smile on her face as she ran her hands along the cavern walls. He should have insisted they contact the other expert, especially after the incident with the fire. “We appreciate your bringing us here,” Sam said, “but we were hoping to learn about any caverns that have some connection to Robin Hood, King John, William the Marshal, and the four chambers.”

“You mean the four
caverns
?” Percy asked.

“I believe so,” Sam said. Percy's recognition of the name had to mean they were on the right track. “Do you know where it is?”

“It's been a while, but I believe I can find it again. Don't recommend it, though. Very dangerous. Places to fall. Wrong turns. There are so many better places to explore.”

“But we love exploring,” Remi said slyly. “Maybe you could tell us how to get there?”

“Getting toward midday, don't you think? Haven't had lunch.” He turned and started walking toward the outer cavern and the stairs that led up to the shop. “I feel as if I'm forgetting something but, for the life of me, can't remember. Why do they want to go there?” he asked Aldridge.

“They're looking for historical artifacts.”

“Ah, yes. Now I remember. Won't find much there. A lot of tunnels to get lost in. And some Celtic carvings on the wall. That's about it. Any artifacts are long gone.”

As they followed him up the stairs, Sam asked Aldridge, “You're sure this is a good idea?”

“Don't forget, Percy's off his game today. The fire definitely
rattled him. Naturally, if you'd rather go with that other expert, I'd be glad to call him for you.”

“In this case, we'd better.” He didn't want to count on the failing memory of a retired professor when it came to saving Nigel's life and he pulled Remi aside and told her who Aldridge was calling.

“I have to agree with you. Except . . .”

“Except what?” Sam asked.

“He did mention the four caverns and Celtic carvings. That fits right in with the four chambers that Lazlo mentioned and the Celtic knot on the cipher wheel. Which means he knows what he's talking about.”

“When he
remembers
what he's talking about.”

“It seemed to me he has more of a problem with his short-term memory. Since the caves are something he's been visiting since he was a boy . . .”

“It's not so much that, Remi. We came here for a map and got a tour of a wine cellar. What if something else happens to him and we end up on another wild-goose chase? Bad enough we've gotten Nigel mixed up in all this. And, right now, our priority is to rescue him—never mind Percy has no idea of the danger. Which brings me back to my original concern.”

“I didn't think of it that way. Let's hope Professor Aldridge gets in touch with this other expert.”

Aldridge stepped outside of the shop to make the call, then returned shortly after. “Sorry, but Swift's wife said he's not due back until later this afternoon. Business trip. She'll call me as soon as he gets in. But I do think you'll be fine using Percy. He'd
want to do this. Especially if there was a chance that it led to something of historical significance.”

If they were on a simple expedition, sure. Sam looked at his watch. Just past noon. It was looking like they didn't have a choice. Nigel was out there, and Percy was their only option. If he couldn't find this map, then maybe he could remember the location and point them to it. Sam explained everything to Aldridge, including why he didn't want the police involved.

“That certainly changes things,” Aldridge said. “Let me see if I can settle him down long enough to figure out where this chart is. I'm fairly certain he keeps it in the shop, which is probably why he led us here to begin with. He does get distracted by the caverns.”

“Thanks,” Sam said. “We appreciate your help.”

Sam and Remi waited outside while Aldridge spoke with Percy.

They looked in through the window, discussing what to do if Percy couldn't find the chart. “Maybe,” Remi said, “he'll remember the general vicinity of the four caverns. We could have Aldridge drive him there while we follow. He won't even have to get out of the car. Just point to the location, then Aldridge could take him home.”

“That might be our only option,” he said as Aldridge called them back inside.

“Good news,” Aldridge said. “Percy and I had a little chat about those caverns.”

Percy was holding a cardboard tube. “My friend tells me you're interested in the Nottingham caves. Some of my favorites. Been visiting them since I was a boy.”

Aldridge tapped Percy on the shoulder. “Show them the map, Percy.”

“Right.” He walked over to the table and pulled the top off the tube. Tipping it over, he slid out a large printed map of Nottingham, which he spread out on the counter. Thick red pencil lines were drawn all over it, with notations scrawled in various places. “Been mapping the things as long as I can remember. These are my favorite,” he said, tapping the spot where they were now standing.

Sam eyed the map, noting a cloverleaf pattern drawn near the grounds of Nottingham Castle and the notation
Four Caverns
written above it. “Tell us about this place,” he said.

I
t's the four caverns,” Percy said. “Dangerous place, that. Lots of twists and turns. Some of the chambers drop right down. Too easy to fall. These, though,” he pointed toward the tailor's shop again. “Much easier to get in. First ones I ever went into. Used to be wine cellars.”

Remi put her hand on Percy's shoulder. “Definitely my favorite. But these,” she said, pointing to the clover, indicating the four caverns. “Where do we find them?”

“Behind the ivy. Lot of those caves were hidden when the houses were built. There's an ancient stone wall in the park. The ivy grows right over it. See the X?”

Sam leaned in close and saw the entrance was actually marked. “Would you mind if I took a photograph?”

“Not at all,” Percy said.

Sam took a few photos with his phone while Remi asked, “When's the last time you were there?”

“Years ago. Used to take some of my students on tours down there. It's still there. You came with me, remember?” he said to Aldridge.

“Vaguely. We've traipsed through a lot of caves.”

Percy nodded. “This one I like because it's right there, but no one even knows. Through the ivy. That's how a lot of them are. Lost. But right there in their own backyards.”

Sam and Remi left for Nottingham Park, a neighborhood that had once been the deer park for Nottingham Castle. The area they were looking for—from what Percy had described to them—had a greenbelt running between some of the grand houses set on large parcels. Unfortunately, what he didn't have was an exact address, and as Sam drove around, they realized the description fit several areas.

It wasn't until Selma called with a piece of information that allowed them to fit a puzzle piece into place. He pulled over. “Can you repeat that?” Sam said as he put her on speakerphone. “I want to make sure we heard you right.”

“Grace Herbert-Miller's cousin,” Selma said. “The one who inherited the estate in Nottingham?”

“Something McGregor, wasn't it?” Sam said.

“Henry McGregor. I did some checking. This estate he inherited is in that very neighborhood.” She read off the address. “The property's up for sale, and nobody's living there at the moment. But we called and Mr. McGregor said you're welcome to go anywhere on the property that you want.”

Remi plugged it into the GPS on her phone. When it came up,
she and Sam compared it to the map that Percy had given them. Almost in the middle of his red clover marking the four caverns he'd talked about.

“X marks the spot,” she said.

Sam dug out his backpack, pulling out what they needed for their initial foray into the cave—should they be lucky enough to find it. He and Remi each took a compact Stinger flashlight and case, a four-inch Buck Knife, and a magnetic compass. Sam carried his gun in the hidden holster of his fishing vest and his knife in its case on his belt. Remi wore a pancake holster with her P938 nine-millimeter, pushing it toward the small of her back so it wouldn't be readily visible.

They drove to the address given for the McGregor property. Other than the sign out front listing the estate for sale, there was nothing to indicate that there was anything unusual about the place. It was Remi who pointed out that the property lines could've changed over the centuries. “Who knows if the Herbert or McGregor ancestors parceled any of this out, way back when. The entrance might be on someone else's property by now. Never mind that there's no ivy here. Percy mentioned something about ivy.”

Sam let his foot off the gas as he looked at the McGregor property.

“Now what?” she asked.

“Drive around and see if we can't find some ivy.” He glanced in his rearview mirror and saw a car pull onto the street behind.

“There!” Remi pointed to the right of the McGregor estate. “A lot of ivy in that park.”

Not quite a park, it was a greenbelt running between the two homes with a graveled footpath. Right now, though, Sam was more worried about the car behind him—until he saw it pull into the drive at the corner and caught a glimpse of the woman driving and the young boy sitting in the front passenger seat.

He continued past the greenbelt, when Aldridge called. “Bit of a problem,” he said after Remi put him on speakerphone. “I just got off the phone with Swift's wife. He's just returned from meeting with someone about the caves. I'm assuming these are the men you're worried about.”

There was no doubt in Sam's mind who Swift met with, which meant Fisk and company were probably on their way to the caves. “Thanks for the update.”

Remi shifted in her seat to get a better look as Sam continued down the street. “I don't see any other ivy in the area. Maybe that's really the entrance.”

“It certainly looks like it. Right now, I'd like to find a place to park without being seen.”

“You think it's really there?”

“The treasure?” Sam said. “Wouldn't Percy have found it in all his wanderings? Or someone else during the last eight hundred years?”

“I was thinking more of a clue.” She gave a faint smile. “Who knows? Maybe we'll get lucky.”

Sam drove a bit farther, making a U-turn as the rain started up again. “A lot of other treasures out there waiting to be found. If we don't find this one, it isn't the end of the world.”

Remi picked up her phone. “Slow down. I'll take a few pictures on our way out.”

He let his foot off the gas while Remi took a few photos of the ivy vines cascading down the stone wall. Now that he had a better look at it, he realized the crumbling, ivy-covered wall against the side of that low hill didn't really seem to belong to anything—maybe left over from some other time before the current houses had been built in the area.

That had to be it, he thought, when he saw a blue BMW turn the corner up ahead. He threw the car in reverse and backed into the drive across from the park.

“What's wrong?” Remi asked.

“Company.”