Harry nodded. “Did you hear how they got the rum into the cave?”
Artie frowned. “There was something about sailors swimming, towing crates, and dragging them onto the beach.”
“Dangerous,” Joe said.
“Is there anything else, Artie?” Bingo asked.
Artie shook his head. “Don’t think so, but if I think of anything, I’ll call Ben.”
“In that case, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to call it a night,” Bingo said. “There’s rain coming, I feel it in my joints.”
Silas nodded as he stood up. “Supposed to start tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
It was quiet after they’d gone and Harry remembered what Glory had said. He made a mental note to call her in the morning and make arrangements to get her side of Burton’s story.
********************
Harry was mentally processing the night’s discussion the following morning, when he remembered what had been nagging him. Why clear a partly obstructed tunnel when an open one already existed? It was an uphill climb to the Hobie’s Hill exit, but there was no excavation to do. Did they know about the exit at the top? Or did they know where the blocked tunnel would lead?
Silas might have some idea, he thought as he picked up the phone. But first, he needed to hear Glory’s story about Barton’s Bar in case she knew something different.
Glory assured him that any time after six would be good. Harry suggested around seven-thirty because he wasn’t sure about Joe’s schedule.
Harry called Silas next. “We’re meeting with Glory tonight. She knows the Burton story well.”
“How… never mind. I’ll find out tonight,” Silas said. “What time?”
Harry told him and then added, “Don’t forget, you’re providing the transportation again.” Silas was laughing as he ended the conversation.
The he called Joe. “We’re going to see Glory tonight. Silas will pick you up.”
“Okay… why?”
“To find out what she knows about Burton,” Harry said.
“Okay… good.” Joe disconnected his phone and Harry shook his head. Conversations with Joe could be frustrating. The man never used an extra word.
********************
During the drive to Miss Pinkerton’s house, Joe filled them in on his exploration of the tunnel, but they decided not to mention it until after Glory had told them her story.
Glory must have been watching for them. She opened the door as they went up the steps. “Miss Pinkerton is in the living room. Go on in. I’ll be along shortly.”
Miss Pinkerton was standing by the fireplace. “Well now. It’s seldom I see three gentlemen callers at the same time anymore. Please sit down and get comfortable,” she said, as she took her own seat beside the fireplace.
Seconds later, Glory entered. She poured coffee for everyone before taking her own chair across from her employer. “Help yourselves,” she instructed, indicating the trays on the coffee table. Neither of them needed a second invitation.
