The Stone Family Heart - Taylor Hart Page 0,17

she really felt about these two.

Mr. Banks leaned forward, his gaze intense despite the placid smile on his face. “You all went to Pirate’s Cove just to hang out?”

Tim nodded. The truth was the truth. If the man wanted to take a camera crew in those caves and risk life and limb, more power to him. “I’m sure you know that all signs lead to the treasure being there.”

“Because the petroglyphs tell that story?” Mr. Banks asked.

Tim didn’t like the greedy look in the man’s eye.

“I prefer we don’t talk about this anymore tonight,” Kensi said. There was a severe look on her face, directed squarely at Mr. Banks. “Would you like to retire to your room, Mr. Banks? Perhaps rest for the evening?”

Wow. Okay, something must have happened. Tim looked back and forth between them.

Mr. Banks sat up straighter. “Not yet, thank you.”

Clipped. Precise. Kensi was in full lawyer mode. He could imagine how good she’d be in a courtroom, staring down the witness. Yep, something had happened. Tim wanted to drag Kensi off and demand details, but the woman had made it clear that she didn’t want help if she didn’t ask.

Matt exchanged glances with Tim, then Kensi, then Lucy. “All I can tell you is that whatever curse was put on that gold, before you find it—if you find it—there’ll be times you’ll wish you’d never heard of it. And more often than not, you’ll get one step closer and realize you’re five steps behind where you started.”

“He speaks truth,” Tim said, turning to Mr. Banks.

Mr. Banks grunted. “Those sound like the words of men who don’t want me to find it before them.”

The man had some nerve.

Kensi stood and glared at him. “Please make sure you make other accommodations for tomorrow night, Mr. Banks.” She snatched up several dishes and moved into the kitchen.

Tim didn’t miss the sharp look on Mr. Banks’s face. The kitchen and dining room didn’t have any walls between them. Tim wished for some privacy so he could chat with Kensi for a minute alone, but he wouldn’t get it. Without taking his eyes off the thug, Tim gathered dishes and took them into the kitchen.

Mr. Banks lifted his glass. “Of course. I won’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

Lucy gave Tim a worried look.

Matt stood and wandered over to the television, turning up the volume.

“We’re not getting a reprieve yet, folks. We don’t know what Hurricane Sharla will do, but we do know that storms like these tend to hover. We’ve had reports of tornadoes forming and then disappearing up and down the Brunswick coast. So hunker down wherever you’re at. And pray.” The television’s announcer seemed dazed, and his eyes were glassy. “Just pray.”

Matt turned off the television.

Lucy and Tatum had moved to Matt’s side.

Tatum held Lucy’s hand, though she still had Aphrodite resting in her arms. “Are we staying here tonight?”

Lucy turned to Kensi, silently asking for permission.

“Of course,” Kensi said, going into action. “We’ll have Matt and Tatum take the bottom princess room. Lucy can stay with me in the room next to the office.” She glanced at Tim.

Tim pointed to the couch. “I’ll stay right there.” He needed a bird’s-eye view of Mr. Banks if he came out of his room anyway.

Lucy grabbed a towel and wiped the counters. “Okay.”

Lucy, Matt, and Tim went back to the kitchen and helped Kensi clean it up.

Mr. Banks was now thoroughly distracted as he looked around the family room, which was a perfectly constructed timeline of the conquistador’s gold. Ava and Trey had decided to put the story of the conquistador’s gold all the way down the hallway. There was also a shadow box with the famous trunk that had the name of the ship, Lady Rose. The ship apparently was named after the captain’s wife, who had originally come with him to South Port. The Stones were actual descendants; that was why they still had all the journals locked away.

As Lucy and Kensi whispered over dishes, Matt moved to Tim’s side, joining him in watching Mr. Banks. “Something feels a bit off. Showing up in a storm like this? I don’t care if you’re the King of England; you don’t show up in a hurricane. Power lines were down from here to Charleston. I spoke with Savvy earlier. She said even they were feeling effects of the tornadoes and she was worried.” He frowned. “She’s taking cover in her old boyfriend’s place.”

Touchy. Tim sighed. Matt’s whole life had suddenly been