Death Diamonds of Bermudez (8 page)

The Depths of Darkness

On the boat ride out to Long Island, Savage was haunted by the fact that he had no idea what had happened to his daughter, Michael, and Portagee. He still believed that Van Eck had kidnapped them just in case he needed them for bargaining if things went bad. Little did he know that the Spinners were trapped in a cavern beneath Bermuda.

The three trapped Spinners had wandered endlessly through the massive cavern for what seemed to be an eternity. They were lucky there was no shortage of small fresh water pockets trapped in small rock indentations in the cavern floor. The Spinners had seen many small tunnels leaving the cavern in almost every direction, but their instincts told them not to wander away from the main cavern area at the risk of being split up or hopelessly lost.

As they walked along Michael noticed something on the cavern wall. He quickly said, “Look guys, over there. It looks like the cavern wall is covered with black smoke soot.”

Portagee replied, “You’re right, Michael. There must have been a fire down here.”

All three climbed up over the slight rise in the floor where the blackened wall was. Sam was first to see over the rise. She yelled out, “Oh my God.” She stopped dead in her tracks and went no further. She just stood there pointing with her right hand towards the wall.

Michael and Portagee saw at the same time the grizzly scene that had frozen Sam in her tracks. Michael braced Sam by putting his arm around her and said, “Holy crap, there must have been an explosion down here and killed these poor people.” The Spinners were looking at the partially clothed burnt skeletons of five men scattered in all directions.

Calmer now Sam said, “With all the p
hosphorus, sulfur, and other chemical elements on the walls of this cavern these poor people must have accidently ignited something which caused the explosion.”

Portagee finally spoke as he went closer, “I agree, but look at this. These men are dressed like the Boer War soldiers we’ve seen in old pictures at the library.” He next noticed their tools and what appeared to be weapons. Portagee added, “Look. All their tools and weapons are carved out of Bermuda cedar. This is proof that they must be Boer prisoners of war. It appears to me that they might have been trying to escape, but where were they going?”

Portagee was right. The Boer prisoners in captivity in Bermuda were renowned for their skills in carving practical and ornate objects out of Bermuda cedar.

Michael and Portagee went over to the remains to see if any of their possessions might be helpful for survival purposes. They found several cedar knives which must have been used for protection and a couple of hatchets made from scrap metal with cedar handles. Michael looked over at one of the Boer prisoners saying, “These axes must have been used for chipping through the limestone.”

Sam asked, “Why do you say that, Michael?”

Michael replied, “Look at that body over there by the wall. The ax is still stuck into the wall even though the handle is half burnt away. This poor man must have set off the explosion by causing a spark that
ignited the dangerous gases.”

Portagee added, “He must have thought he was striking limestone.”

Sam looked over at another body with a burlap potato bag laying by his side. She walked over and picked up the bag. The old bag ripped open from dry rot as she picked it up. Huge diamonds fell all over the cavern floor. Sam said, “Well, we know that Fritz wasn’t the only Boer War prisoner who knew about the diamonds. Can we move on? I’m spooked being around all these dead bodies.”

Michael took her hand and said, “That’s fine with me. Come on, Portagee, let’s move out.”

Portagee nodded his head and said, “Roger that, good buddy.” The three Spinners left the death site and moved back towards the central part of the massive cavern.

After hiking for another hour the trio came upon a large pool of water in the middle of the cavern. Just by their sense of smell they knew it was ocean water. Sam looked down at the pool that was easily twenty-five yards in diameter and said, “Well, it looks like we found one possible way out of here.”

Portagee laughed and said, “Oh sure, and I bet you’re going to be the first one to dive in there and try to make it to the surface.”

Michael chimed in saying, “Yes, ladies first.”

Sam turned red and snapped back at the boys, “We could be one-hundred feet below the surface. How are we going to decompress? Not to mention our air supply.”

Portagee replied, “This dilemma seems familiar.”

Sam added, “Yes, I think it has to do with our adventure a few months ago in the Bermuda Abyss.”

Portagee smiled and said, “Yeah, I know. Our boiler sub almost didn’t make it to the surface, but that’s another story.”

Portagee began to sit down to dangle his legs in the water, but

before he knew what hit him, Michael grabbed him by his collar jerking him back and flinging him across the cavern floor.

Portagee jumped up screaming at Michael, “Are you crazy? What’s the matter with you, man?”

Michael didn’t say a word. He just pointed towards the water. Portagee looked at the water and yelled out, “I was almost shark bait!”

Sam walked over to Michael and Portagee and said, “With that school of hungry sharks making their home here I don’t think we’ll be doing any swimming anytime soon.”

Michael added, “I think that includes swimming to the surface. Anyone want to go fishing? I’m getting hungry.”

Portagee replied, “I already told you I don’t want to be shark bait.”

Sam added, “Well, I have to tell you both that anything in that pool is not in my luncheon plans. Actually since those sharks are circling so close to us I’m willing to bet that we might be in their luncheon plans. Now let’s get out of here before something terrible happens.”

Michael replied, “That’s fine with me, but just in case you hadn’t noticed, something bad has already happened to us.” The three backed away from the pool and continued on their trek to escape their prison.

Dead Man’s Moon

After picking up the supplies Savage drove the group to Albouy’s Point to borrow a police patrol boat. Savage had reservations about taking Keno and Graham to Long Island and exposing them to more danger, but on the other hand, he didn’t have a clue where Van Eck and his thugs were. At least with the boys with him Storm and he could protect them. The four stepped out of the small car with Savage popping the trunk open. He reached in and handed the shovels to Keno and Graham and the flashlights to Storm. As the three were walking towards the boat, Savage yelled out, “Hey mates, wait a bloody minute. I forgot I have something else for you.” He threw three flak jackets at Storm and said, “Put these on for protection.” While he had been talking he was also putting one on himself.”

Storm laughed and said, “I don’t suppose you also got these at your favorite hardware store?”

Savage smiled, “No, but they probably have them.” He went on to say, “Actually they’ve been in my trunk since the last drug bust I went on. I just forgot to take them back to the station house.”

Keno and Graham gladly put them on, not just for the protection reason, but because they thought they were cool. The four climbed aboard the boat and sped off in the clear cool night towards Long Island.

As they neared the island Keno asked, “Are we going to land on the far side of the island at the hidden cove?”

Savage replied, “I think it would be wise just in case there are others already on the island.”

Storm nudged Savage in the side saying, “What’s the matter, man? Are you afraid of a little fight?”

Savage agitated snapped back, “Storm, now I remember why I don’t miss you very much. These bloody South Africans are paramilitary soldiers. They shoot first and ask questions later.”

Storm smiled and replied, “Well, if that’s the case I’m glad you’re wearing a flak jacket because you’re leading the way to the cemetery”.

Savage cut the engine as the patrol boat glided into the small hidden cove. Keno and Graham jumped into the water and helped pull the boat to the shoreline. Storm and Savage were quick to follow the boys and together they made their way up the roughly hewn steps in the rocks.

Storm turned to Keno and Graham saying, “Stay quiet. These men are well versed in jungle warfare and have us at a disadvantage. The both of you need to stay between me and the inspector.”

Savage added, “Watch for clues that may help us find your friends. Now let’s get this bloody show on the road.”

Savage led the way. He pulled out his twenty two inch nightstick for protection and to quietly move tree branches out of his way. Keno followed Savage with Graham following closely behind him. Storm brought up the rear with his pistol already drawn and a finger on the safety release. As they entered the east end of the cemetery Storm looked up at the black sky. All he could see was an eerie full moon. He thought to himself, this is truly a fitting Dead Man’s Moon tonight.

What Storm didn’t realize was that the second they entered the cemetery they were being watched by Lynch and his two goons. With hand signals Lynch split his goons up to surround the cemetery. Next he called Van Eck on his cell phone. When Van Eck answered Lynch whispered, “Boss, there’s four of them here. I think it’s the two noisy cops and the two kids we’re looking for.”

Van Eck replied, “I’m on my way; don’t do anything. Just watch them. I want to know why they’re back here again.”

Lynch asked, “What if we come under fire, sir?”

Van Eck responded, “You know what to do when confronted with deadly force.” Van Eck snapped his cell phone shut and with his remaining men left their hideaway and headed for Long Island. Lynch put his cell phone back in his pocket. He smiled as he locked his hands together cracking his knuckles over and over. Lynch disliked Storm and Savage and would relish nothing better than to break them in half like balsa wood.

Storm, Savage, and the Spinners made it to the grave plot. Savage ripped away the yellow police tape that was stretched around the plot. Savage slapped his nightstick on his open palm and said, “OK, mates, it’s time for you three to get busy. I’ll keep a lookout.”

Storm replied, “Yeah, yeah, I bet you will.” Storm jumped into the shallow pit and began digging with Keno and Graham.

The digging was going very fast. The grenade that exploded in the pit had loosened the dirt. When Savage had his back turned to Storm and the boys, Storm flipped a shovel load of dirt onto Savage’s back. Storm said, “Oops”.

Savage started to turn around to say something to Storm, but a noise just outside the cemetery caught his attention. As he walked away he said, “Keep digging I’ll be right back.”

Storm stood up and said, “Hey man, don’t go far”.

One of Lynch’s goons had stepped on a stick that had snapped in two causing the noise Savage heard. The goon kneeled down trying to conceal himself from Savage. Savage walked up to the cemetery stone wall and stopped when he heard Storm calling him. Savage turned around and walked back over to the pit. He looked down at Storm saying, “What the bloody hell do you want?”

Storm replied, “I’m not sure, but I think we’re about to break through to something.”

As Savage started to bend down and cast his flashlight beam on the spot Storm indicated he had a bad feeling about where the noise was coming from. He stood up and said, “Mate, I’ve got to go back over by the wall. I’m sure I heard something. Keep digging. I’ll be right back.”

Storm stood up in the pit and said, “Here, take this just in case.” He threw Savage his automatic pistol. Storm continued to say, “Don’t get an itchy trigger finger and shoot any Boer ghost.”

Savage replied as he walked off, “Thanks, get your butts back to the digging.”