“Oh.” Tommy seemed to be considering. “Can I help?”
Katherine thought for a moment. “Yes, I think you can. I’ll look at the papers, and you can put what I find into piles on the captain’s desk.”
“Yay!” he gave a little hop. “I hope we find the treasure map!”
“Me too.” Katherine picked up a stack of papers and prayed silently, Lord, help us find it!
* * * *
By the time Tommy’s mother came to pick him up that evening, all they had found were the usual receipts, recipes, and newspaper clippings, along with a few invoices which Katherine tucked away to compare with their current tea suppliers.
Wearily, she turned the lock on the shop door, pulled down the window shade, and mounted the spiral staircase once again.
The lamps below in the shopfront gave just enough light for Katherine to see by as she went to the sea chest and raised the lid. She paid little attention to the stack she took out and placed on the floor, easing the lid gently closed with a sigh for how much was still left inside.
Picking up the papers, she headed back down the spiral staircase and plopped the stack into a box. As she did so, the papers slid to one side, exposing a manilla envelope with First Bank of Harborhaven and a logo stamped on one corner.
Barely able to breathe, Katherine pulled the envelope out, and with trembling fingers, slid the contents out enough to catch the words “put in trust.”
With a squeal, she hugged the envelope to her, then rushed around, spreading out the already dying coals in the wood stove, turning off lights, and flinging her scarf, jacket and hat on as fast as she could. Tucking the envelope safely into her bag, she took one last look around the shop before locking up and walking hurriedly down the street.
The wind buffeted her as she walked, but she hardly noticed. This might be it! She thought over and over. Thank you, Lord!
* * * *
Katherine stopped by Miss Harriet’s only long enough to get the keys to Mrs. James’ car and let Sally know what was going on. The two had squealed and clutched each other’s hands, jumping up and down like a couple of schoolgirls. Katherine chuckled as she pulled up outside the Braddock house. So mature. But she knew she and Serena would probably repeat the performance, only without so much jumping.
Running up the steps to the door, Katherine knocked rapidly. Serena opened the door looking concerned, but one look at Katherine’s face told her the news.
“You found it?” Serena’s eyes were wide, and she looked as if she were afraid to hope.
“I think so.” Katherine said, feeling another jump and squeal fit coming on, but containing herself with effort.
“You’d better come in, then.”
* * * *
Katherine sat on the floor by the crackling fire, feet curled up under her wool skirt. The captain sat in his favorite chair, and Serena on an old sofa nearby. Katherine wondered if the captain was as nervous and excited as she felt. She glanced over at him and saw that he was watching Serena’s face closely.
Minutes passed, and the clock ticked. No one moved while Serena read through the contents of the envelope. Finally, she looked up. A grin spread across her face. “Well, it’s all here. The trust does exist. The money is held at the bank here in Harborhaven, and the trustee is the bank manager.”
“Mr. Patten?” Katherine’s surprise faded into a frown. “How come he didn’t ever tell you?”
“He couldn’t. From what this says, I gather the bank is only supposed to communicate directly with the designated beneficiary, which according to this, is me, and only upon request. And I never knew to ask him about it.”
“And how much is there?” Captain Braddock’s tone was even, his face thoughtful.
“I don’t know. This only states how much she added to it when she made me the beneficiary… which isn’t much.” She scanned the papers again, then set them down next to her. “I guess I’ll just have to make a visit to the bank tomorrow.”
* * * *
Sally was wiping down the kitchen counters as Katherine came in.
“I’m so sorry I left you to do everything by yourself. You must be exhausted.”
“No more than usual,” Sally smiled. “As Auntie H. said when I signed on, this place isn’t exactly a one-woman operation.”
“And don’t I know it. But we aren’t meant to have to handle it alone anymore, and I’m sorry it ended up this way.”
“It couldn’t be helped. Besides, I’m getting experience. There are so many little jobs I didn’t notice before because Auntie H. always just quietly did them.”
“You’ll be an expert in every bit of it by the time she comes back.” Katherine chuckled, remembering how she had struggled through the same thing herself. “But tell me honestly, how is it going?”
