MERCEDES, jj maybank

57.

SOS

After returning to the South Side and sitting by the docks. Pope had told the crew what he had found and shit just got a whole more personal. Turns out Denmark Tanny is Pope's relative, so the cross belongs to the Heywards which is why his great-grandmother had the key.

"I still can't believe you're related to Denmark Tanny," John B gawked in shock, pacing around. "Are we in the presence of a royal?"

"Uh-huh! A king?" JJ pretended to hold a crown in his hand and made the movements of placing it on Pope's head in a British accent, "We shall crown him. All hail the lord of Tannyhill!"

"We're not worthy," Kiara says, pretending to bow down.

"Alright, everybody relax. Can we relax, please?" Pope hushes the commotion.

"Relocate the Cat's Ass, question mark?" Sarah suggests.

JJ smirks, "I'm with that, how soon can we move in?"

"Bunk beds?" Trinity suggests.

"Bunk beds. Cheers to that!" JJ laughs.

Pope was the only one that didn't seem as excited, "I just keep thinking about the letter, the one that Limbrey sent. It had the wheat symbol on it. That must mean it has something to do with the Royal Merchant,"

Trinity nods, "Yeah, Denmark Tanny, the common factor,"

"No, more than that. Something seems fishy," JJ points out, drinking the last of Trinity's slushy.

"But, if we find the cross we can split it like we were gonna split the gold," Pope says cheerfully.

"I reckon the cross is worth more," Trinity puts in her opinion, John B and Kiara nod,

And then a lady that Trinity had never seen before came over to the group, "Planning to live happily ever after?" She says. A man behind her was standing carrying an umbrella.

"You assaulted my father!" Pope grits his teeth. It then clicks that this was Carla Limbrey.

"Oh I didn't assault anybody," She says in a silky voice,

"He could identify the psycho from a mile away," Kiara says in distaste. John B pulls Trinity back since she was the closest to the man, Renfield and folds his arms.

But the lady seemed beyond confused, "Why would my employee assault your father? That's absurd."

Carla reminded Trinity of Charlotte, their mannersims were identical.

Trinity had an extremely bad feeling unlocked her phone and quickly dropped a pin to her brother with the following text saying 'SOS'.

"Listen, we can keep on negotiating but the fact is that I want the key--"

Pope tried to dart to her but Renfield pushed him back, "Easy,"

"Hey!" Kiara said, grabbing Pope.

"I want the key and I won't stop until I have it! I don't have a choice which means you don't either,"

Trinity stepped forward to the woman, "What's so special about it?"

Carla stopped for a second and admired the small girl in front of her, "Trinity, you weren't at Charleston with Pope,"

Trinity's heart sank and was beyond confused on how she knew her name, "No, but I'm here now,"

And just as Carla was about to speak Tyler had rocked up and cleared his throat, "What's going on?" He goes to stand with his sister.

"And Tyler, what a lovely surprise." She smiled warmly.

"Yeah, who are are you?"

"Tyler, you don't remember me? Trinity was only little so I get it but you, you must remember," Limbrey looked almost hurt that Tyler didn't recognize her, "I was there when you were growing up, me and your mother were the bestest of friends!"

Tyler shook his head, "Why are you stalking this sixteen year old boy?" He points to Pope.

"He has something that I need,"

John B pipes up, "Carla Limbrey, was it?"

"Yes," She hobbles over to him, seeing the key in his hand.

"Is this what you're looking for?"

She nods, "Yes, it is."

"Looking at the tide right now, I'd day it's about twenty feet deep out there, so if I just threw it in the channel the probability of you finding it is slim to none. You wanna give it a shot? Ready?" John B turned around to face the channel ready to chuck the key.

"No! Hey!"

John B went and pretend to throw it, giving Limbrey a fright. "Please don't do that."

"Get him to back the hell up," John B nods to Renfeild who is stood sturdy,

Limbrey looks over her shoulder at her half-brother, "Of course. Back up," Renfeild's eyes linger on Tyler. If looks could kill Renfeild would of been dead by now. He went over and stood behind Carla who continued to speak, "As I have told you from the beginning, I am willing to be reasonable,"

Pope glaces at John B, who nods. "Okay." Pope says plainly.

"Okay?" Carla was shocked about how little persuading it took.

"I'll give you the key, but I want the tape."

"Of course, of course,"

John B quickly interfered, "Hey Pope, you don't have to do this, okay?" Carla watched closely hoping Pope wouldn't change his mind.

"No, it's okay,"

"Dude, this is your family,"

"Hey, it's fine, it's okay. It's about your Dad." Pope holds his hand open for the key, "It's way more important."

John B hisitantly places the key in Pope's hand, "The tape?"

"Yes, give him the tape." Carla says to Renfield. "Oh you're a good friend," She praises Pope after he receives the tape. The make the exachnage and Carla sighs with relief, "You know, I wish that you'd come to this decision earlier, we could have avoided all this unpleasantness."

With that Renfeild escorted Carla away but she one one final thing to say, "Tyler and Trinity, Charlotte says hello," And then she continues to leave.

Tyler looks down at Trinity and she was left just as uneasy as him, "Weird."

"How long do you think we have until she realises she has your father's old key?" JJ asks.

"Ten minutes," John B huffs.

Pope hold his hands out and paces around, "Who's idea was the fake key?"

"Shockingly, not mine," Kiara looks to JJ.

John B places his arm around JJ's neck, "Hm, I don't know, should we tell him?"

"Wow,"

"I'm impressed," Tyler says to JJ.

"Did hell freeze over or did one of JJ's plans actually work?" Trinity teases him.

JJ laughs and wraps his arms around Trinity, "Ha ha, even a blind pig can find an acorn at times." After putting Trinity down he turns to the rest of his friends, "I actually don't know what that means, but I saw it on Reddit."

Tyler claps his hands for their attention, "Y'all need to get that tape to Shoupe!"

"Yes, sir. Ward Cameron, we're coming for you, big boy." JJ cheers.

Trinity looks to Sarah who's eyes fall to the ground. He was still her Dad and she didn't want anything to happen it him.