Death Diamonds of Bermudez (5 page)

Keno added, “And if he picked a spot to
o close to the other grave then someone else might dig a hole for another grave and find whatever he had hidden.”

Michael chimed in, “I have an idea!”

Graham replied, “So let’s hear it.”

Michael continued, “The war was almost over. Whoever made this map knew not very many more Boer solders would die in Bermuda. He must have calculated how many had already died and based on that how many more might die.”

Graham added, “You’re right. He didn’t want to bury anything outside of the cemetery so he calculated where plot fifty-four would be. He was sure they would never use that plot.”

Keno was getting very excited. “That’s right. They only dug forty-three graves here.”

A
s he was stepping off plots Graham said, “Now all we have to do is find exactly where plot fifty-four would be. The boys carefully observed the rest of the layout of the cemetery for space and distance. Once they knew that, Graham began pacing off steps to mark the plot they were looking for. After about ten minutes of pacing Graham yelled out, “This is it!”

Michael and Keno came running with some good size sticks they had found. Michael said, “Well guys
, let’s get digging.”

Keno looked up at the sky and said, “Dear Lord, please don’t let us dig up any dead bodies.” They started digging at a feverish pitch. Portagee and Sam kept watching them out of the corner of their eyes not paying enough attention to their lookout jobs.

After digging down about three feet deep and five feet long the Spinners were ready to give up. Michael said, “This is hard work, and all I’ve seen is dirt and rocks.”

Graham said, “Don’t give up, my friend. We’ll find something soon.”

It was t
wenty minutes later when Keno all of a sudden felt something hard where he drove his stick down into the earth. Keno jumped up and said, “Hot dog! I just hit something.”

Michael replied, “I bet it’s a casket.”

Graham pushed both of them aside and said, “Let me in there.” He began digging around and soon unearthed a leather pouch. As he brushed it off he could tell by the military insignia etched in the leather that it was a Boer ammunition pouch. Graham opened it up and sat back down on the ground in a daze.

Michael grabbed the pouch and said, “Let me see it.” Michael then said, “Holy Moses! These are the largest bloody diamonds I’ve ever seen.”

Graham got his wits back and said, “Wait, there’s more.” He reached into the pouch and pulled out another tattered map. But before anyone could look at the map they all heard a commotion up where Portagee and Sam were. Michael grabbed the pouch spilling out several diamonds. The other two Spinners ran towards their friend in need only to find pistols being pointed at them.

Sam screamed out, “Run! Get out of here! We’ll be okay.”

The two hesitated for a minute, but then Lynch fired a couple of bullets at their feet to scare them. Meanwhile Michael climbed out of the hole, tripped and fell back in. As Keno ran by, Michael flipped him the leather pouch. Keno and Graham cleared the cemetery wall in seconds making a bee line for their boat in the hidden cove. Two of the South Africans went in pursuit of them, but they had too big of a head start. Even with their tracking skills the Spinners were out into the Great Sound before the South Africans could find the hidden cove.

The two Spinners had made their escape, but Lynch had a death grip on the necks of Portagee and Sam while another thug had grabbed Michael in the hole. Van Eck walked over to the digging and picked up the three diamonds that the Spinners had dropped. He knew that this was just a clue and not where the real hiding place was. He didn’t have the map, but he had three hostages which were as good as gold to him. He looked at Sam, Michael and Portage and said, “My little friends, these are the largest Death Diamonds I have ever seen. There must be thousands of them in Bermuda, and we will have them all. By the way, they are called Death Diamonds because whenever diamonds like these are found they leave a trail of greed and death. Sam, Michael and Portagee said nothing. They just looked at each other hoping their friends would rescue them.

Clues from the Dead

The Spinners had made it back to Albouy’s Point and were getting ready to head back to St. George’s to make plans to free Portagee, Michael, and Sam. Before they could leave, Inspector Savage and Storm pulled up by them in an unmarked police car. Savage rolled down the window and said, “Hi, boys! What are you guys up to tonight?” The boys all went dead silent. A bit concerned, Savage looked around and noticed Sam’s and Michael’
s scooter sitting there empty. He turned to Storm and said, “Wait here. There’s something wrong.” He got out of his car and went over to the boys saying, “Alright guys, I’m not stupid. What’s up and where’s my daughter, Michael and Portagee?”

Keno
spoke up first, “Well, sir, we were out on Long Island this afternoon.”

Savage interrupted Michael saying, “Did you say you kids were out on Long Island this afternoon?” By now Storm was also out of the car standing next to Savage.

Graham stepped forward, “Sir, we saw everything that happened with you and Van Eck and his thugs today.”

Both Storm and Savage were surprised to say the least. Savage added, “So where are they? Tell me right now.”

Graham trembling a little said, “Sir, after you and the South Africans left we came out of the bushes and figured out the hiding place on the map. It was in plot fifty-four. We found these.” He pulled out the pouch full of diamonds. The South Africans called them Death Diamonds. They caught us in the act of digging them up and captured Portagee, Sam and Michael. They fired shots at us so we escaped through the bushes.”

Savage said, “Alright, guys. Thanks for your honesty. Get on back to St. Georges, and we’ll take it from here.”

The two boys jumped on their scooters, but before they could leave Storm yelled at them, “Hey, give me one of those Death Diamonds.” Graham threw one to Savage then they spun off on their scooters.

Savage was waiting in the boat for Storm. Storm jumped in the boat and said, “These diamonds must be worth millions.”

Savage said, “I know, but all that matters now is my daughter and
the boys.”

Storm replied, “I understand. Let’s go get those bastards.” Savage threw the throttle forward and the boat surged away from the dock. They would be at Long Island in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile on Long Island Van Eck and his thugs were back at the Boer War cemetery with Sam, Michael and Portagee. Lynch threw them down into the hole and yelled, “Start digging , you punks, and let’s see what else you can find.”

Portagee yelled back, “There’s nothing down here. Our friends already got everything.”

Lynch yelled back, “Well in that case, keep digging; because it’s going to be your grave.”

Sam nudged Portagee and Michael whispering, “Don’t agitate that monster or he’ll kill us.” Portagee and Michael agreed and kept digging.

Storm and Savage landed at the hidden cove. They both jumped into the shallow water
. Savage tied up the boat and Storm quickly ran up the steps that had been cut into the limestone years ago. Once at the top he cocked back his revolver and waited for Savage. The two silently, but at a fast pace made their way up to the top of the hill that overlooked the cemetery. The two could see that Lynch was yelling and waving a pistol at someone who could not be seen in the pit.

Savage whispered to Storm, “I bet the kids are down in that pit digging for diamonds.” While they were watching, Van Eck signaled Lynch over to him. Another thug quickly replaced him watching the Spinners digging.

Storm replied back to Savage, “We better not wait any longer. No telling how long before these bad asses will lose their patience.” They both agreed to move out and get as close to the cemetery as possible without being seen. However, if the South Africans did spot them Storm would shoot first and ask questions later.

Storm and Savage silently weaved their way through the bushes. They were within fifty yards of the cemetery when all of a sudden one of the thugs began yelling and pointing in the direction of Storm and Savage. Savage looked at Storm and said, “Mate, you take out the ones with the guns, and I’ll get the kids.” Storm nodded his head, and the two split up in different directions. Both men were zig- zagging down the hill taking fire from the South Africans. Storm reached the stone wall that surrounded the cemetery first and began returning fire. Shortly after, he could see that Savage was also at the wall, but about twenty feet away from him.

Van Eck yelled to his man closest to the Spinners, “Throw a grenade at those intruders.” At the same moment that the South African pulled the pin from the grenade, Storm fired off a round striking him through the chest.

Meanwhile at the same moment down in the pit, Michael struck the dirt beneath him with the stick as hard as he could. The large stick broke through the ground falling out of sight. Michael looked up at Sam and Portagee and yelled, “Oh, crap!” Before any of them could say anything else the ground beneath them collapsed. The three vanished from sight in a second. The earth around the pit collapsed in on top of the pit filling it in.

The South African fell
in the same spot where the pit had been with the live grenade locked in his hand. As he hit the ground the grenade exploded. Another pit was created instantly in the same spot, and the South African was vaporized in the explosion.

Van Eck yelled to his men to back off. They quickly left the cemetery. Storm and Savage moved to the area of the pit. To their surprise the pit was empty. Storm looked at Savage saying, “Thank God the kids weren’t in the pit.” All they could see were some blood stains from the South African.

With relief Savage
said, “My heart dropped thinking the kids were in the pit when the grenade exploded.” He went on to say, “Where the hell are the kids?”

Storm replied, “Van Eck must have them back at the cottage. Let’s catch up to them before they get away.” The two jumped over the pit and ran after the South Africans. Storm and Savage had no idea that the Spinners were buried beneath the cemetery.

What Lies Beneath

Storm and Savage made it to the cottage just in time to see Van Eck and his thugs speeding away in a boat. It was almost dusk, and there was no chance of going back across Long Island to their boat and catching up to them. Savage slammed his fist on the side of the cottage and yelled out, “Those bloody bastards got away with my daughter and her friends.”

Storm gave Savage a pat on the back saying, “Don’t worry, friend, we’ll catch up to those bastards.”

Savage replied, “You’re right. We’d better call the Commissioner, and let him know what’s going on.”

It was pitch black, and Sam couldn’t hear or see anything. Finally she whispered out, “Michael, Portagee, are you here? Can you hear me?” She waited for what seemed to be an eternity, and finally she heard something moving next to her. She heard a moan. Sam screamed, “Please let that be you Michael.” Someone touched Sam on the arm.

A voice spoke out, “Hi, baby cakes. It’s me, Michael.” Sam reached out and gave Michael a big hug. Michael catching his breath said, “I’m fine. Thanks for caring.”

Sam quickly asked, “Where’s Portagee?”

Michael replied, “He’s next to me. I think he’s still out cold from the fall.”

Sam asked, “Are you sure he’s fine?”

Another voice answered, “Yeah, I’m fine, but could someone turn on the lights?”

Sam replied, “I wish we could.”

Michael added, “It’s clear we’re not dead. There has to be a way out of here. We just have to hang on to each other and try to find a way out of this black hole. ” Michael opened his cell phone which gave a little light so they could now see each other. Sam and Portagee did the same.