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Still curled up in a blanket, lost in thoughts about her Dad and the upcoming evening, Hollis jumped when someone knocked on the front door. She pulled herself up off the couch and opened the door to see a delivery man.
“Ms. Hollis Quinn?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Special delivery for you. Sign here.” He thrust a clipboard at her and she scrawled her name. Then, he handed over an envelope. “Have a good one.”
Her grip tightened on it as she recognized her Dad’s handwriting. With a shaking hand, Hollis closed the front door and then tore the envelope open. A small key slid out, along with a card. Her eyes scanned the note:Hollis- Expand your horizons! On to the next adventure! Love, Dad.
Through a blur of tears, Hollis flipped the key over in her palm where a number and address were written. “Florida Savings & Loan?” she read and frowned.
A moment later, she changed out of her pajamas for the first time in a week, grabbed her purse and keys and headed out.
The bank sat on a quiet corner shadowed by palm trees. Hollis walked through the glass doors and approached a man behind a desk, flashing the key. It wasn’t long before she found herself in a private room with a safe deposit box on the table before her. She took a deep breath and lifted the lid to the metal box.
Inside sat a folder. Brow furrowed, she opened it and removed a stack of papers. A card was clipped to the top page with the contact information of a maritime lawyer. As she flipped through the pages, several words immediately jumped out at her--Letter of Admiralty, Right to Search, 13th ship, Santa Lucia.
Hollis’s jaw dropped and she perked up like a wilted flower finally being watered. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.
Chapter Three
The largest in the country, the Atlantic Aquarium housed a three-million gallon tank of endless marine species, including aggressive sharks, habitats and preserves for various sea creatures and interactive, educational programs for guests to enjoy. Though currently closed to visitors, the building was lit up like a Christmas tree for the Memorial Gala of Chaz Quinn.
Hollis carefully walked up the stairs in her high heels and felt every eye of the large, well-dressed crowd follow her as she moved across the small stage over to a podium. She’d regained her color, covered the dark smudges under her brown eyes with makeup and wore a stylish dress to celebrate her Dad’s life. Her wild, copper hair was pulled back in a neat chignon with loose tendrils around her face.
And, even though she looked cool and together, inside she was a tangle of nerves and emotions that she was barely keeping under wraps. Her dark eyes slid shut and she prayed for the strength to get through this.
You should’ve had that glass of champagne first, she thought, annoyed with herself that she had passed on it.Too late now.She took a deep breath, swallowed down her anxiety and began.
“As many of you know, my Dad was a bit of a legend around these parts,” Hollis said into the microphone at the podium. “Probably how I got on the Board of Directors.”
A few people chuckled and a smattering of applause filled the air. Hollis smiled and released a low breath before she continued. “He went on some amazing adventures, worked with brilliant people and ended up discovering some of the world’s greatest treasures.”
She gestured to the displays set up around the room that contained many of his famous finds-- cases with gold and silver coins, jewelry made of emeralds and other precious stones and even a ruby necklace estimated to be worth a million dollars and known as “The Fire of the Ocean.”
As she looked out over the sea of faces, she recognized several here and there. Mostly colleagues from the aquarium or acquaintances she had met through her Dad. She pushed a loose strand of copper hair off her face.
“But, he was even more than that. He was the best father and best friend a girl could ask for.” Her voice caught with emotion and her gaze suddenly landed and froze on Dylan Ford, cleanly-shaven and dressed in a black and white tuxedo. He looked wickedly handsome and his dark gaze held hers. She managed to hide her surprise, but felt like the rug had been yanked out from beneath her and, for a moment, she lost track of what she had been saying.
What is he doing here?she wondered in annoyance. The man had more nerve than anyone she’d ever met in her life.
With a slight shake of her head, she managed to regain her composure once she tore her gaze away from Dylan’s. “Thank you for coming out tonight to honor him. I know he would’ve appreciated it. And, as he always said, ‘On to the next adventure!’”
The guests clapped as Hollis turned and walked back down the stairs. Lawrence, the Director of the Aquarium, patted her shoulder. “Wonderful tribute, Hollis. Your Dad would’ve been proud.”
Hollis gave him a weak smile and nodded her thanks. Then, she wandered through the crowd, eyes searching for the tall, dark-haired asshole.Why is he here? To crash my Dad’s memorial?
Ten minutes later, unable to find Dylan Ford, Hollis stopped in front of a glass case and stared at the priceless ruby and gold necklace that twinkled beneath an array of lights. A gold plaque labeled it as “The Fire of the Ocean” and described its finding by Chaz Quinn.
A raspy voice echoed over the top of the enclosure, “The Fire of the Ocean…”
Hollis looked up to see her Dad’s old partner. “Elusive bitch.” For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then a smile warmed Dan “Diamond” Burke’s eyes. “How are you, my dear?” he asked.
“Hanging in there. How’re you, Diamond?”
“Full of aches and pains. Getting older is no pleasure cruise.”
Hollis returned his smile. “I’m glad you came. I know you and my Dad didn’t end on the best of terms…”
