Storm Tide (7 page)
“Discovery Light, Discovery Light, this is the coast guard. Over.”
“This is Discovery Light. Hi, Mark. Over.”
“Simon, we thought you would like to know, we contacted the Royal Historical Society and they were very glad to hear from us. It turns out, the map Joseph Edison was carrying belongs to them. He stole it sometime last year. They've been looking for him ever since. The map is extremely valuable. They want to do more research on it and on the astrolabe you found.”
My heart sinks. “Does that mean we have to give the Royal Historical Society the box?”
“It means they'd like to work with you. To ask you some questions, if you're willing.”
I smile. I'm willing, all right.
“So what was Joseph going to do with the box if he found it?” I ask Mark.
“He's a known dealer in stolen antiques. So I guess he would have sold it.”
“Wow.” The thought of how close we came to losing it makes me shiver.
“That's not why I called, Simon. We're hoping you and Ellen will testify against him. Can you do that?”
I nod, then say, “Will do, Mark. Thanks for calling. Over.”
I put the radio down and walk to the window. I can see the bay and the top of the light tower. A thought that's been nagging at me all night and all morning comes to the front of my mind, and I smile. Maybe, just maybe, this adventure will be enough to convince the government to keep Discovery Lighthouse Station open.
All through the evening, friends, reporters, other lighthouse keepers and people we've never even heard of radio in and want to talk to us. Several of them say they're going to mount expeditions to find out more about Juan de Fuca's travels, to see if there are shipwrecks or other treasures to be found. Some of them invite us along, but Ellen and I say no. We've had enough adventure for a while.
Thanks to my family and to the Wildwood Writers for all the years of support.
Kari Jones is a Victoria-based writer and teacher who has a passion for the out-of-doors. She loves to spend time exploring the natural world and dreaming up adventures to share.
