Treasure Protectors

Chapter 3

The hunt was going a lot faster since recruiting Riley and Alex was pleased to realize that he added a far more lighthearted feel to the group. He hadn't quite broke out of his shell, he was more reserved with Ian and his guys than with Alex and Ben, but a lot of his humor shone though when interacting with everyone.  Alex noted that he enjoyed the same movies and had a similar sense of humor as her. They quickly became friends, despite the amount of pressure they felt towards finding the treasure. 

Ben and Ian were so serious about the treasure it felt nice to joke around with someone. Alex was, of course, concerned about her legacy but she recognized that there was only so much that could be done before finding the next clue. She figured her grandfather would be proud of her either way. 

When Ben and Ian started playing poker with a few guys from the apartment complex Alex and Riley had joined. Not to play, but to act as commentators. Alex had never understood poker and Riley wasn't a fan of gambling. This led the two to almost immediately be kicked out of any card game event. 

"Looks like Ryan has a bad hand." Alex announced, looking to Riley who widened his eyes and shook his head. 

"Get out." Ben stated. He looked pointedly at Alex. She raised her arms and dragged Riley out of the room.

"They're very serious about poker."

"I can tell." He responded as he gave her a small smile. 

Usually poker nights were sent in the basement if the apartment complex, meaning that Alex had the apartment to herself. Usually she'd watch a fantasy movie or do some cleaning but since Riley joined their group they usually ordered takeout and went through more facts about history. Alex was certainly not as well rounded with historical events as her brother, a fact that she despised, and she tried to find out as much as she could. She just assumed that Riley didn't want to spent his nights alone. 

"There she is." Ben pointed out the name on Riley's computer. "Charlotte" was written in neat cursive on a letter from George Stanford, a Freemason was considered the foremost expert of the treasure. 

"Would she really know anything?" Alex questioned as she skimmed through the letter, there wasn't a mention of any treasure, only what seemed to be a personal recollection of the past month. 

"Maybe not but it's more than we had ten minutes ago." Ben replied his eyes rows furrowing as he read a line. 

"What is it?" Alex asked, causing Riley to look behind him at Ben who was giving a questioning glance to the computer. 

"I don't think that this is the Charlotte we're looking for."

Both Alex and Riley slumped while Ben just shook his head and turned away. 

"I was really looking forward to buying a yacht." Riley said offhandedly, stopping Ben in his tracks.

"What did you say?" He asked Riley who looked at Alex before beginning to explain.

"Well with the finder's fee I thought, not that the money is the only thing,"

"A boat." Ben reiterated. "You want to buy a boat." 

Alex only gave her brother a questioning look as he repeated, "A boat. A ship."He poked at her for a few seconds before she realized his desperation. 

Alex hit her palm against her head. "Of course. If the treasure was moved then there must've been a ship involved." 

"The Charlotte." Her brother laughed out.

"What about this Charlotte? The ship can't be named after her." Riley continued, looking back at the letter.