“I know…but it’s so hard believing that sometimes. Right now it doesn’t seem like God is with us at all.”

Rafter caressed her hair. “It isn’t easy trusting God. But no one ever said it would be. I struggle with my faith all the time.”

“But why does God keep allowing this to happen to us? We’re like magnets for criminals.”

Rafter shrugged. “Maybe it’s our calling to get rid of Louisiana’s bad apples.”

“I want a different calling—a peaceful one.”

“Well, at least this time we don’t have to contend with a hurricane.”

“I guess that is the one positive in all this,” Annie said with a sigh.

“I think a prayer is in order. We need some supernatural guidance,” Rafter said.

“I agree.” Annie bowed her head and closed her eyes. Rafter held her hands and started to pray. “Dear God, you know our circumstances and you know how this will all turn out. We place our lives into your hands. I ask you to give us strength and courage. Please help us to think clearly. Foil the plans of Arcadias and his brother. You gave us this house, and you know every board in it. If it’s your will, help us to escape this house. Show us how to get out undetected. Please make something beautiful come out of this ugly situation. In Christ’s name I pray, amen.”

They headed down the narrow staircase, dodging the cobweb drapery and treading lightly on the steps, the flashlight working hard to illuminate their way. Despite their tiptoeing efforts, the steps creaked in places, slowing their descent. A dozen seconds later they negotiated the last step.

Rafter’s head and shoulders sank when the flashlight revealed a dead-end. A formidable concrete wall blocked their way into the pantry. “Whoever removed the box from the secret room must’ve also poured this concrete wall. We’re not getting into the pantry,” he said in a low voice.

Annie ran a hand along the concrete. “This stinks. We’re trapped. What do we do now?”

“We’re revert back to plan A. We go back to the attic and try to find a way through the roof.”

“I don’t think there is a way through the roof, Jon. We need some kind of saw to do it. And I don’t think there’s one up there.”

“Maybe you should read more entries from Rose’s journal. Maybe the journal will show us the way out.”

Annie nodded. “Okay, if nothing else it’s an entertaining read.”

They retraced their steps, walking as if on eggshells to avoid making the steps creak. A few seconds later they reentered the attic. Annie sat down in a chair, while Rafter leaned up against the mammoth brick chimney that jutted into the attic, his mind churning for answers.

Annie flipped open the journal to the next entry. She looked up at him. “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

Annie began to read aloud.

Chapter 13

Whitcomb plantation—1942

Her bare feet dangling over the arm of the porch swing, and her head lying in Bobby’s lap, Rose rested as a ceiling fan lazily stirred air over their heads. Bobby stroked her hair gently. The caressing relaxed her to the point she felt she would drift off to sleep at any moment.

“Who else knew we went up the servant’s staircase other than your maid? Do you think she told your parents?” Bobby asked.

“What does it matter? We’re not in trouble?”

“But don’t you think it’s odd? Two days after the party we snuck back up there and the box was gone? Someone knew we found it. And someone didn’t want us to find it again.”

Rose sat up. She yawned and looked at her boyfriend. “It wasn’t Mary who told. It was me. I talked to mother about it.”

“Why did you tell her? Was your conscience getting to you?”

“I don’t know, maybe a little. I suppose I just couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

“I know how you feel, Rose. I can’t stop thinking about the box either. So what did your mother say when you told her?”

Rose stretched her arms. She then held out a hand toward Bobby. “Let’s go for a walk, you want to?”

Bobby nodded and stood up. He took her hand. They walked down the gallery steps and onto the grass. They followed the long driveway, hemmed in by magnolia and live oak trees for nearly one-hundred yards. “You never answered my question, Rose.”

Rose cast a sideways glance at Bobby. “I think you’re more interested in this treasure box than me.”

“I’m just curious is all, no different than you.”

“I saw the briefest hint of alarm flash across my mother’s face. And then she just kind of giggled a little bit. She winked at me and said, ‘Oh, you just found your great-great grandfather’s pirate treasure is all.’”

“I knew it, Rose. I knew that box was some kind of treasure chest. And did you see the Spanish writing carved onto the chest? I bet Spanish gold is inside it,” Bobby said excitedly. “So what did you say to your mother then?”

Rose shrugged. “I don’t remember exactly. I pressed her some more on what was inside the box. And she winked at me again and said, ‘Wasn’t that kind of Mr. Lafitte to bury his fortune on this property so Rutherford could find it?’”

“This is unbelievable, Rose,” Bobby said, beaming from ear to ear.

“You can’t tell anyone. Promise me you won’t. People will break into our house to look for it. And dig holes all over our yard.”

“I swear I won’t tell anyone, Rose. It’s our secret. Everything about the night when we found the secret room was amazing. I’ll think of that night often when I’m fighting the Krauts.”

“Did you have to bring the war up? What is it with violence and war that fascinates men and boys so much?”

Bobby led her over to an enormous live oak tree. Thick and twisted limbs jutted out and reached for the southern sky. Bobby leaned against the immense trunk. “Rose, we have to stand up against Hitler. We can’t ignore him while he takes over the world one country at a time. He’s evil, Rose, pure evil. Someone or some country needs to kill him.”

“Killing is so barbaric.”

“Of course it is, Rose. But Hitler is committing unspeakable atrocities against innocent people. His death is warranted.”

“What time does your bus leave tomorrow morning for basic training in Miami Beach?”

“Seven o’clock.”

“Can I ride with you and your parents to the bus station in Baton Rouge?”

“Sure, I’d like that. But you’ll have to get up early.”

“I can make myself get up. What time are you leaving?”

“Six o’clock sharp.”

“I’ll be there. Nothing can stop me.” Rose said. And then she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

****

Rafter let out a low whistle after Annie closed the journal. “You really think the box has Jean Lafitte treasure in it? It seems so farfetched.”

“I don’t know, could be. Treasure hunters have been hunting for Lafitte’s fortune for who knows how long. Apparently he stashed his money all over Louisiana. I see people with metal detectors all the time,” Annie said.

“But how did Arcadias know the treasure might be here? Something tipped him off to it. We live here for crying out loud, and we never would’ve known about it had you not found Rose’s journal.”

“That’s a good question, Jon. And I don’t know the answer. At least we know what the Charbonneaus are after now.”

His left leg stiffening up, Rafter shifted his stance. His left heel bumped a brick on the chimney. Rafter heard a scraping sound. He bent down and saw that mortar had crumbled, allowing a brick to come loose. He looked over at Annie. “I think God might be showing me a way out of here.”

Annie stared back at him, bewilderment in her eyes.

Rafter got down on his hands and knees and examined the bricks near the attic floor. He tested several of them and found many more that were loose, the mortar crumbling in several spots. He stood up and grinned. “For once I’m glad something is falling apart on this old house.”