The Pirate & The Adventurer & The Cowboy

publisher of a magazine called
Cache
. After that, one thing led to another. I talked to a few of Gid's neighbors, including the one who was letting you use this cabin. It finally hit me just who Gideon Trace really was. When I showed an old picture of him to the guy who runs the motel where you stayed, I knew for certain. Hell of a coincidence, huh? Turning up Gid along with you?"

    "Amazing."

    Jake looked briefly contrite. "Hey, I didn't mean to scare you."

    "You didn't scare me." She poured a cup of coffee and put it on the table in front of Jake. "Where have you been living since you got out of that jungle?"

    "Gid told you the story, huh? Did he tell you about me getting trapped in that cave while he escaped?"

    "He told me you didn't make it out with him," Sarah said cautiously.

    Jake shrugged. "No hard feelings. I don't blame Gid for leaving me behind. That's the way it goes. Sometimes you've got to look out for number one and let your partner take his chances. Who knows? If I'd been in his place, maybe I'd have done the same." But his wry smile and clear blue eyes said he'd never abandon a partner in a million years. A man could count on a guy like Jake Savage.

    Sarah watched him with increasing fascination. She poured herself some tea and sat down. "That's very broad-minded of you, Mr. Savage."

    "Call me Jake. Or Jim. Doesn't matter. Hey, this coffee's terrific. Trust old Gid to find himself a woman who could cook this time around. He never makes the same mistake twice. You and Gid been together long?"

    "We've known each other for over four months," Sarah said.

    Jake nodded. "When did you tell him about the Fleetwood Flowers?"

    "Why?"

    "Just curious. Wondered if Gid was still doing business in the usual way. Did he ask for up-front money and a cut of the action? That was the usual policy."

    Sarah stirred her tea, thinking of Gideon's demand for one pair of earrings—his choice. "I haven't paid him a dime."

    Jake grinned, showing an expanse of sparkling white teeth. "Fair warning, little lady, Gid never works for free. If he didn't take any up-front money from you, then that means he really does believe in the treasure and it means he's got his eye on a chunk of it. You sure you don't have a contract guaranteeing him a slice of the pie?"

    "We have a verbal understanding," Sarah said stiffly.

    "Hell. That's too bad." Jake gave her a pitying look. "Then my advice is to be very careful, Sarah. Very, very careful. Gid and I had a verbal understanding before we went into that jungle five years ago. I not only didn't get my cut, I nearly died in that damned cave."

    Sarah heard the shower stop but her entire attention was on Jake Savage. "You're trying to frighten me, aren't you? Trying to make me distrust Gideon."

    "All I'm saying is, watch your back. And your treasure. If you don't know how to do either, hire me. I'll do it for you. I've had experience in both departments."

    "Hire you?"

    "Why not? Call me a consultant. I'll handle the media and Gideon for you. Gideon's useful but you've got to keep your eye on him."

    "And in return all you'll take is a nominal fee and full credit for finding the Flowers?"

    "I think you'll realize that I'm worth every penny, Sarah. Just ask any of my old clients." Jake reached across the table and covered her hand with his own. His blue eyes were serious and full of understanding. "All you want is the Flowers. All I want is the publicity so I can attract some really big investors. This downed-airplane-full-of-gold thing is going to be a major score. You and me, we can work together, even without Gideon. Like I said, we don't actually have to find the treasure."

    "What about Gideon?" Sarah removed her hand from under Jake's.

    "Yeah," said Gideon from the doorway. "What about me?"

    Sarah jumped and turned her head to see him buttoning his shirt as he walked into the room. She saw the cold expression in his eyes and knew he'd seen her hand under Jake's. She wanted to go to him and reassure him that everything was all right, but he was already helping himself to the coffee.

    "If you join us you'll get your cut, as usual," Jake said easily. "I'm just trying to convince Sarah here to let me handle the press for her."

    "We don't need any attention from the media," Sarah said, her eyes on Gideon.

    "Right," said Gideon. "The last thing we need is an orchestrated media blitz. It's time for you to leave, Jake."

    "We can do each other a lot of favors, Gid. We were