Teddy had sent the others up to the Presidential Suite for a long overdue rest after downing a bunch of burgers and too many drinks.
He shook the manager's hand as the sweaty man scraped the tiny gold nanoparticles into his own container, looking carefully over his shoulder before scuttling away with his prize.
Teddy was swiveling his chair to leave when she sat down right next to him.
"Time for one more drink?" Ms. Marple sported her clever-girl grin.
"How did you find us?" Teddy was spooked.
"I spotted you across the room. You couldn't believe my surprise." Ms. Marple was wearing a low cut silk blouse that was a shade off-white and her trademark black pencil skirt.
Nearby patrons were shaking their heads in disgust at the dirty beach bum with the pot of gold—naturally, he gets the girl too.
"I suppose you are here to see what we found?" Teddy wasn't quite sure how she did it. He didn't believe in coincidences.
"I just wanted to share a drink with an old friend, but now that you mention it…" Ms. Marple played coy, gorgeously coy.
Teddy pushed the container of nanoparticles across to her. She opened it, raised an eyebrow, closed it and pushed it back. "Keep it. May come in handy. Anything else?" Ms. Marple wasn't smiling anymore.
"We could've used a little help." Teddy looked her directly in the eyes.
"I was a little worried when the DGI ordered your arrest, but you didn't call so I assumed you had it under control." Ms. Marple pursed her lips to make clear that was all he was getting. "I need something to show The Brothers."
Teddy pulled a crumpled Ziploc bag from his dive vest. Sand and seawater made a small puddle as he opened it and pulled out another Ziploc, with another one inside that. Working his way through the layers, Teddy pulled out Caleb's iPhone.
Ms. Marple sucked in her breath as she watched the videos. "Did it really glow blue-white inside the stone?" Ms. Marple looked like a young girl again. "Did you ever find out what the thing with the hands was?"
"No, but we met a few of his relatives." Teddy grinned.
"I need to take this phone." It was clear she was pleased, but not as pleased as she could be. "Videos are easily faked."
"Buy Caleb another one and I am sure he will give it to you." Teddy breathed an internal sigh of relief—Thank you, God!—he didn't realize how much he feared losing his funding.
Teddy Fairchild was only beginning to understand how much he loved this quest.
As Teddy watched his benefactor sashay away with Caleb's phone, it occurred to him:
Was he seeking the truth or was the Truth seeking him?