Donna-Lou looked down at her, "What you mean, sweetie?"
"Well, we used all the stuff you got from your house, except the hat and the gun," observed Emma. She ran to the back door of the vehicle and retrieved the Confederate stag hat. She pointed to the emblem, "What about the eight? Maybe it's eight somethings."
Chet shook his head, "No, that insignia refers to the 8th Cavalry."
Rory took a step forward, "Maybe she has something."
"How do you figure?" Donna-Lou asked him.
Taking a moment to think, Rory finally said, "Just think about it. Pride in their past may have been the reason your grandfather put the hat and the gun in the trunk. But it could also be part of the clues to the treasure." He scratched his stubble again, "A serial number from the gun wouldn't make sense. But...."
Donna-Lou gave him a few slow nods, giving it some serious thought as well, "Everything else pertained to the hidden treasure cache. Maybe the hat does too. What do you think, Chet?"
Chet took the stag hat and looked at it, thinking.
Rory placed the pencil against the map again, "The problem is...even if we go 8 miles...we still have nothing of any significance."
"Add them together," Donna-Lou said quickly. "Try 14 miles."
Chet looked at her, "Why?"
"Cause it's the only thing that makes sense," Donna-Lou reasoned. "We only have two numbers to work with, so add them, multiply them, whatever it takes."
Rory used the pencil to estimate 14 miles along the line, "That puts us...right on the edge of this topographical region."
Chet looked closer at where Rory was pointing. He straightened up, "That's the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains."
"That's where it is!" Corry said in excitement. "They moved the treasure to a cave in the Blue Ridge Mountains."
Everybody stood there leaning over the map looking at each other.
Chet looked at Rory and then Donna-Lou, "What do you think?"
Donna-Lou shrugged, "You guys are the treasure experts."
"It makes a lot of sense to me," Rory said. "All the clues seem to point to that conclusion." He looked at Corry, "What do you think?"
Corry nodded, "I think so, too. He looked proudly at Donna-Lou, "You're a real treasure hunter, mom. You did it."
Chet gave Donna-Lou a big grin, "Yeah. He's right. You're a real keeper."
Donna-Lou crossed her arms over her chest, "Sure took you some time to realize that, Mr. Chet Calhoun."
Chet blushed and looked uncomfortable.
"Why don't we just head up there and take a look? That's the only way we'll know for sure," Rory said.
Chet looked relieved with the change in topic. He nodded eagerly, hitched up his pants and looked around, orienting himself and pointing, "Well, if we head directly west that way, we'll catch a highway that heads north. If the KGC is looking for us along the river, they won't expect us to be going west and then north."
Rory nodded, "That sounds like a workable plan."
Donna-Lou gave a subtle shake of her head as she eyed Chet and then turned to Rory. "There's a nice inn up there too. We can stay overnight. And then we can take The Blue Ridge Parkway. It runs across the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains to that area on the map."
"So what are we waiting for? Let's pack up and get going," Rory conceded.
Emma pumped her fist, "Yeah."
"Oh, boy," Corry said with enthusiasm, "we're going to find the treasure of the Knights of the Golden Circle."
Donna-Lou nodded somberly, "Yeah, as long as the Knights of the Golden Circle don't find us first."
Chapter 43
AFTER CHECKING INTO the Blue Ridge Inn, a 10,000 square-foot Southern Georgian mansion, everyone went to work on their assigned tasks. Chet and Corry visited several stores in the small town to buy as much treasure hunting equipment as they could find. They brought back a high-grade metal detector, several shovels, digging trowels, five Swiss army knives and kerosene lamps. Rory scooped up a dozen $500 Fenix RC40 flashlights and hands-free holders that clipped to your belt. The flashlights had a powerful 90-degree aperture to light everything around you. Perfect for exploring a cave - if they found it. He also took the time to pick up some new weapons, ammunition and several cans to carry extra gas. Donna-Lou and Emma were tasked with refilling the cooler with sandwiches and bottled water. After a good night's sleep and a quick, early breakfast, it was 6 AM when the Range Rover drove away from the Inn and the treasure hunters made their way along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
THE SCENERY WAS BREATH-taking, with long-range vistas spread out below them and then close-up views of the rugged mountains that seemed to embrace the Range Rover. But beneath the thrills of excitement the group was feeling, there were the chills that the next vehicle they encountered on the roadway would be filled with Knights of the Golden Circle. Or a horseman would appear on a ridge and the crack of a rifle would be the next sound they heard. Or maybe the last sound one of them would ever hear.
AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE an eternity, Chet finally said, "We're there." That was it. Plain and simple.
Rory pulled to the side of the road and stopped. He looked over at Chet, sensing his tension, "This is it?"
Chet had his eye on the Range Rover's GPS system and he took a moment before he nodded, "Yeah. The coordinates we're looking for are just to the north of us." He gestured to the left of the vehicle, "It's that way."
Emma looked across the parkway to a steep hill that rose to the north, fifty yards off the edge of the road, "We have to climb up that hill?"
Corry squeezed beside her to look out the window, "Yep. That's where the treasure will be."
"But it's steep and we could tip over," Emma said. She tilted her head to try and see the top of the hill. After a moment of thought, she looked at Corry, a worried look on her face, "You'll have to hold my hand, so I don't fall over and get hurt."
Corry rolled his eyes.
Emma giggled and it broke the tension as Chet and Donn-Lou smiled at each other.
But it didn't last long for Donna-Lou as her smile faded, "So...we're going up there?"
Corry turned to her, "We have to mom if we're going to find the treasure."
Her face glued to the window again, Emma frowned, "I still think I'll fall over when we climb up there.
"Why don't we just drive up there?" Corry asked. "We can do that, right, Rory?"
Chet leaned forward to look out up the hill, "I'm not sure that's a good idea. Like Emma says, it looks real steep...."
Donna-Lou shrugged, "I'm with Corry on this one. I don't see why we don't just take this thing up there. That's what it's made for. Right? I'd feel a lot safer and we could get away a lot faster if we see anyone on a horse again."
Shaking his head, Chet glanced back at Donna-Lou, "I'm just not sure that's a good–"
Donna-Lou winked at him, "Who knows what I'll do later if I don't have to walk and use up all my energy on a hike, Chet Calhoun."
"Ewww, mom," Corry complained.
Emma put her hands to her mouth and giggled.
Chet looked across at Rory and quickly offered, "I'll drive if you want?"
Donn-Lou put a hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle of her own.
Rory smiled and shook his head, "No, Chet Calhoun, it's fine." He looked up the hill as he put the Range Rover in reverse gear, "I mean, what could go wrong? Then again, those could be the famous last words of a treasure hunter."
Backing up along the shoulder, he spotted a flat spot between two trees on the other side of the road. He stopped, put the Range Rover in drive, checked for traffic and then drove straight across the Parkway and across the grass to the foot of the hill. A moment later, the big vehicle's 510 horsepower, supercharged engine growled as it began the 45-degree climb.
"Oh, boy!" Corry said eagerly as he leaned against the window.
Emma squeezed herself closer to him.
Corry gave her a small frown and then turned his attention back to the window.
As he drove, Rory switched back and forth several times across the face of the hill to avoid the steepest parts of the climb as best he could. But the Range Rover ate up the ascent easily.
Rory stopped at the top of the hill, put the big vehicle in park and lowered his window.
The others did the same.
Ahead of them was a verdant green forest. The air was warm and filled with the rich scent of Blue Ridge mountain soil and the rich vegetation. Somewhere the caw, caw, caw of a crow broke the silence.
It was Donna-Lou who broke the spell, her voice soft as she asked, "So...what do we look for?"
Corry looked over at his mom, "We look for more signs that leads us to the treasure. Right, Chet?"
Chet stirred in his seat and nodded, "Yeah. Exactly. There should be more signs, like the ones we saw back at Cherokee Ridge. They could be on the trees or on the rocks. Basically, anything that looks like a sign, we need to take a look at it. Just call out like we did before and we can stop and check it out. Okay?"
There were mumbles of agreement as everyone shifted in their seats to get ready.
Rory put the Range Rover in drive but sat there for a moment. Then he said, "I hate to break the spell of the treasure hunt but...keep your eyes open for signs of the KGC as well. You see anyone on horseback with a rifle...."
There was silence for a moment and then the engine growled as Rory pressed down on the gas.
Chapter 44
THE RANGE ROVER MOVED SLOWLY through the oak-chestnut forest, crisscrossing back and forth so they could get a good look at the trees and rocks from all sides. Nothing stood out for at least an hour of searching as they moved deeper and farther away from the parkway The sun splashed through openings in the canopy of trees and then lit up the larger clearings as everyone watched silently.
As Rory was taking a wide turn in a large open, area to start the next pass in his make-shift search pattern, it was Donna-Lou who started yelling.
"Stop. Stop Go back. We have to go back. I saw something."
Chet stirred in his seat and looked over the seat, "What was it? What did you see?"
Donna-Lou just wind-milled her arm as she looked through the back window, "Just back up. Back up, Rory."
Rory stopped the vehicle immediately, put his arm over the seat and backed up slowly.
Chet knelt on his seat, watching over the back of his seat as Emma and Corry scrambled around to do the same, focused intently on the terrain behind the Range Rover.
The grass hissed softly under the wheels of the Range Rover.
"Stop," Donna-Lou yelled. She jumped out of the vehicle before Rory could even come to a sliding stop on the grass.
The others didn't hesitate either, jumping out and leaving the doors open as they ran after Donna-Lou.
Rory put the vehicle in park and got out. He left his door open as well but he didn't take off after the others. Instead, he took a quick look around first, listening carefully. The only sound was the light wind pushing high through the treetops. Rory reached back into the vehicle, grabbed his handgun and stuck it in the waistband of his jeans. He took slow steps to the back of the vehicle, turning in a circle as he did, watching and half-expecting a horseman to come riding out of the woods. It didn't happen but he still felt uneasy. It felt like someone was out there. Finally, he took off at a jog after the others. They were on the far side of the clearing now, standing in front of a large tree, silent. Once he reached them, he saw it.
Carved in the bark was another turtle:
Donna-Lou was running her fingers over the shape in the bark, "So this means we have to go to the left where the tail is pointing. Right?"
Corry shook his head, "No, this one is a bit different, mom."
"Different? How?"
Chet stepped up beside Donna-Lou and pointed to a part of the carving, "Take a look at the tail. What's different about it? What's different from the other one?"
Donna-Lou tilted her head and then ran her fingers over the back end of the carving, "It's bent...the other one was straight...."
Rory nodded his head as he saw it, "So that means we follow in the direction of the bent tail. It's not saying go straight back, but on that specific angle away from the tree."
Chet nodded, "That's right. You got it." He put a hand on Corry's shoulder, "Let's put this one on the map, just in case we have to come back later."
"I'll bring the Range Rover up," Rory said and he jogged back. He took a quick look around again as he closed all the doors. He couldn't see or hear anything but he still felt that unease. Getting back in, Rory backed the Range Rover across the clearing to the others.
Corry quickly dated into the vehicle and brought out the map out, working with Chet to add the sign in the proper spot. Once they were finished, Chet lined himself up with the tail, stretched his arm out and pointed, "Okay, now we go in that direction."
Rory took a look in the direction where Chet was pointing. He picked out a couple trees in a line he could use as a guide to start and then said, "Okay, got it. Everybody back aboard." But as everyone piled back into the Range Rover, Rory held his door open and stayed outside for a moment. He checked their surroundings again. The feeling of unease was still there. Finally, he got in, placing the weapon of the dash in front of him. Then he backed up in a half circle, stopped, and then drove in the direction indicated by the bent tail. Everyone went quiet and back to watching for the next sign. The sun poked through the trees here and there as they drove, splashing highlights on the trees and rocks as they passed.
It was Chet who spoke up after twenty minutes, "I think I see something." He pointed ahead and a bit to the right of the vehicle.
Everyone in back immediately was leaning over the seats, looking through the front windshield.
Rory slowed the Range Rover and leaned forward over the steering wheel, "Where?"
Chet pointed again, "Head for that large rock just up ahead there."
"I think I see it,' Corry said in excitement.
Rory drove through the trees and pulled up to a rock nearly a dozen feet high and eight feet across. This side had a large flat surface and it appeared someone had chiseled something into the face. Everyone was out of the Range Rover immediately to see it up close:
Corry and Emma were the first ones out and over to the rock. They ran their fingers over the rough surface.
Chet reached over Corry's shoulder to feel the chiseled sign, "They've carved it right into the rock. It's weathered but it's definitely a treasure sign."
"So what does this one mean?" Emma asked as she ran her fingers over the contours.
"My question exactly," Donna-Lou said as she leaned over the young girl's shoulder and traced the outline of the chiseled sign herself.
Rory only glanced at the sign. He had his weapon in hand and was watching their surroundings again. The others seemed oblivious to any potential threats, not even noticing the gun in his hand, and he felt the need to stay on guard as they did their thing.
Chet put a hand on Corry's shoulder, "What do you think it means?"
Corry ran his fingers across the chiseled sign, "I think...this one refers to a mine or a cave. And I think it's supposed to be below us." He backed up and looked down at his feet. Then he looked at Chet, "Does that mean it's in a cave below our feet?"
Chet shook his head, "No. This is actually one my grand-daddy drew for me when I was a little boy. Me and Bobby Fin never ever came across it when we looked for the treasure. But now...I think I know why he drew it for me...."
Donna-Lou looked at Chet, realizing what he meant, "He was probably getting ready to teach you about the treasure. Bringing the next generation into the secret and all that...."
Chet nodded, "Yeah I think so. And then...."
"So what is does it mean?" Corry asked.
Chet hitched up his pants, "It means the cave we're looking for will be found in a low spot somewhere around here." He looked up, "Maybe it's even up ahead of us."
Emm
a's little brow furrowed, "The cave is in a low spot?"
Chet nodded as he looked at her, "Uh, huh. That means it could be in a valley...or maybe just a gully–"
Corry and Emma were off at a run past the rock.
Donna-Lou immediately showed concern and jogged after them, "Careful, you two. Don't go too far without us."
Rory stepped up to Chet, "Do you think we're close?"
Chet shrugged, "I'm not really sure to tell you the truth. But I would imagine–"
Corry yelled back at them, "Hey, guys? Look."
Rory and Chet looked over to see Corry, Emma, and Donna-Lou standing about one hundred yards away. They were side by side, looking at something.
Chet started to run but Rory grabbed his sleeve, "No, no, no. We should take the Range Rover and stay close to the weapons, Chet." He held his handgun up as a reminder, "If we are getting close, the Knights of the Golden Circle might not be far behind."
Chet looked at Rory for a moment before a sheepish look crept over his face, "You're right. I guess I'm getting caught up in the treasure hunting stuff and all that. Sorry about that."
"No problem," Rory said. "Let's just keep our wits about us so don't we get caught off guard. Especially us adults. Always keep in mind the horsemen that chased us."
Chet nodded, "You're right. Okay."
The two of them climbed back into the Range Rover and drove over to park where the kids were standing with Donna-Lou. When they got out this time, Chet had a Glock stuffed under his belt. He still had to hitch up his pants as he stepped around to the others.
Donna-Lou glanced at Chet, pointing ahead and downward, "This must be the low spot you were talking about."
Rory and Chet were surprised to find themselves standing on the edge of a rocky drop-off. Seventy-five feet below them was a grassy field, dotted with trees and boulders, the flat plain stretching out half a mile to a rocky cliff that rose more than two hundred feet high.
"That cliff over there looks like a good place to find a cave," Donna-Lou said.
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