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Theo crossed his arms across his muscular chest. “Fenton was eccentric. People discarded his crazy ramblings. Maybe he didn’t trust anyone, including Derek. Fenton died in a car accident about a month and a half ago. It was unexpected. My theory is Fenton was hoping Derek would come around but died before they could reconcile. Derek had no idea the family legacy he had rejected. His only thought was to make a quick buck by selling everything.”

“And you have proof of this?” Kira asked. “It seems a little too far-fetched that one family could have kept this kind of secret for over a hundred and fifty years.”

“Of course I have proof,” Theo said. “But that will cost you.”

Bryce stared at the man. “How much is Alex Dominik paying you to locate the statues?”

Theo frowned. “I’m not sure who that is.”

“You haven’t had anyone else inquire about the artifacts?” Kira asked.

Theo unfolded his arms and placed his hands on the counter. “Just one man. Some Russian guy by the name of Victor.”

Victor was a new name.

“And you didn’t make a deal with Victor?” Kira asked.

Theo hesitated, then his face paled. “Okay, I’ll be honest. I’m a rough guy, but Victor had me quaking in my boots. I didn’t offer to help him and lied about having any knowledge. That kind of guy would kill to get what he wants. And if I were you two, I’d watch my back. Don’t talk to strangers is a good motto when it comes to inquiring about stolen art.”

Bryce pursed his lips. The advice seemed sound. Yet they were expected to believe his tales of centuries-old treasure, a hidden trove of priceless art, and murderous Russians?

Theo pulled a card from his jeans pocket. “I’ve given you enough freebies for now. When I see the cash, you’ll get the proof. Let’s keep in touch.”

Bryce’s mind churned with the information after they left the tour shop and walked back to the car. The parade was over and the crowd had thinned.

Had his own grandfather been searching for the hidden collection? Could that have been the reason for all his treasure hunting?

“Well, that was a productive meeting,” Kira said when they arrived at the car. “I’ll put in a request for a background check on Theo.”

Bryce started the car and turned on the AC. Sweat beaded at the back of his neck, despite the cool November mountain air. “Part of me believes him. Not the part where he wants to work with us. The guy has ulterior motives, and for all we know, he has the other two statues. But the legend might be true.”

“What next?” Kira asked, since they were still sitting in the parking lot.

Did he have what it took to face his past head-on? Bryce let out a deep breath. “I have an idea. It’s a long shot, but . . .”

This was lunacy and he might be wrong.

But what if . . .

“I think we should head to Sawyer’s Peak. To pay a visit to my father.”

9

“I KNOW THAT COMING BACK to West Virginia dredges up some painful memories for you,” she said, her captivating eyes communicating an understanding Bryce hadn’t experienced in a long time. “But if you want to visit your father, I’m on board. It’s up to you.”

She gave him the out he desperately desired. Which gave him a burst of courage to proceed. “As much as I don’t want to, I think we should head to my childhood home.”

Kira nodded, a slow and deliberate movement. “What would we gain from visiting Sawyer’s Peak? Theo didn’t give us any information on the location of the other two statues, other than we know it was on the list—and not crossed off. Do you think the other statues might be there?”

Bryce shifted in his seat to face Kira. Might as well rip the Band-Aid off. “I told you that my grandfather used to take me on all kinds of treasure hunts as a child. He knew these mountains backward and forward. He had maps and documented all his findings in journals. It’s possible he stumbled upon something. A clue we could use to validate this crazy claim of secret buried treasure.”

Even saying it out loud sounded ridiculous. They were chasing lore and running on coffee. Logic dictated that it was time to head back. Or maybe that was just preferable to facing his past.

Kira grabbed two water bottles from her bottomless designer purse and offered him one. “Did he ever mention the Collector, or anything resembling a stockpile of looted artifacts?”

“Not in so many words. But the man lived and breathed the outdoors, and the hunt was in his blood. It wasn’t until Theo mentioned the name Fenton that it dawned on me. My grandfather used to have a drinking buddy with the same name, and it’s not a common one. Grandpa loved a good story, so I wonder if Fenton ever said anything that might be in my grandfather’s old journals.”

Kira put her hand on his arm and gave his bicep a squeeze. “I definitely think it’s worth the drive to find out. What’s another adventure with my new partner?”