So this kid calling himself Huck Donnager . . . was that the real Forest?

He’d come back to that later. This fake Forest claimed he hadn’t seen him in years, but there might be a trail there to follow. But first . . .

Forest had a map to a cave that Jesse was willing to kill for . . .

‘We can’t tell the police just yet,’ he said, hating himself even as he said it.

I’m sorry, Alexandra, but I need to know what was in there that Jesse was willing to kill for . . . if it’s about the Business, it could put Shelby and Mackenzie at risk now . . .

‘The diving slate,’ said Ahab. ‘Show me.’

CHAPTER 42

FOREST

The boy who called himself Forest and Ahab Stark drove towards Ivy’s.

Could Ahab be lying? The boy asked himself, over and over. That can’t be Huck in there. Huck is in his boatshed. Who else would it be? Huck is waiting for me. Huck is alive.

All of this can’t have been for nothing!

At least he hadn’t told Ahab about Huck still being nearby. That wasn’t his secret to tell.

He’d ruined his friend’s chances, now. By pretending to be Forest Dempsey, he ruined his friend’s true claim. Who would believe Huck now? (He would still call him Huck, until Huck himself told him his real name.)

And with Blackbeard around, wanting Forest . . .

This was all his fault!

No. He wouldn’t think about it. All he could do was show Ahab the slate, get the coordinates, and then the two of them could go to the Treasure Cave. Once Ahab knew what was in the Treasure Cave, things would begin to make sense.

He clung to that. He could still save his friend. Somehow. Whatever was in the Treasure Cave would solve everything . . .

By the time they reached Ivy’s street the Black Wind’s drone was as loud as a beehive. Forest was grateful – it’d mask any noise he’d make in the house.

The police car was still parked out the front of Safe Harbour, so clearly Ivy hadn’t told the police that he wasn’t staying there anymore. Ahab pulled up a few doors down.

‘I’ll go in and grab it,’ said Forest.

‘I’m coming too, boy,’ said Ahab gruffly. He’d calmed down since the agony of the tomb, and there was a new energy about him.

Forest led them both through the neighbouring yards of manicured lawns, scraggly beach shrubs and plastic play equipment until they stood in Ivy’s yard. But when he tried the door to his room, he found it locked.

Without hesitating Ahab took his shirt off, wrapped his fist in it and cracked the glass of the door. He reached in to unlock it and then eased it open.

‘Not exactly stealthy,’ said Forest.

‘Where is it?’ was all Ahab said.