‘We ran drugs as kids,’ said Davey. ‘It’s not that hard.’

‘No,’ said Ahab. ‘Forest is not an option.’

‘There’s no one else who we can guarantee isn’t already in Blackbeard’s crew,’ said Shelby.

‘We should let Forest decide what he wants to do,’ said Davey stubbornly. ‘Give him a chance to prove himself.’

‘There . . . is someone else . . .’ said Ahab. They looked at him expectantly, but he himself could hardly believe what he was about to say. ‘Ivy.’

‘What?’ snapped Davey.

‘We know she’s not with Blackbeard, and she’d do anything to bring him down. If she knew you were alive, she’d be desperate to have you back as head of the Business. Plus she’s a Dempsey – her name carries weight.’

‘You can’t bring my mother into this!’ said Davey.

‘Why not? When you said you used to run drugs, she’s the one who taught you that, isn’t she?’ said Ahab. ‘An old woman, trying to regain some of what her son has lost? With a killer product? The story makes sense.’

‘I’ll speak to her,’ said Shelby. ‘It’s brilliant, Ahab.’

‘No, please – I don’t want her to know I’m alive. It’ll kill her . . .’ said Davey. His head turned back and forth between them. ‘Please. She’s been through enough.’

‘I have to ask my mother-in-law to sell my drugs,’ said Shelby. ‘I’m not exactly looking forward to it! But I can’t leave you out of it. She’s never respected me. We have to tell her you’re involved, or she’ll never do it.’

Davey looked at her, broken-hearted.

Ever the mummy’s boy . . .

‘You’ll have to be the one to convince her,’ said Shelby. ‘If she survives the shock of seeing you alive.’

CHAPTER 49

FOREST

Ahab had made a mistake in letting Forest out of his sight. The moment he and Shelby climbed up the stairs, Forest was out the door.

He tied Zeus up out by the kitchen door. ‘I’ll be back soon.’ He gave him a pat, then set off at a sprint.

He took an inventory of everything he now knew.

One, there was no Treasure Cave, just a cave full of bones. No, he was being petty – there was something important about them. Just not anything that would save his friend.

Two, Huck was actually Forest Dempsey. He had to find him and confirm that. But what if he wasn’t able to acknowledge who he was?

He ran along the beach, feet sinking in the wet sand that had been stirred up by the Black Wind’s waves overnight. He headed for the boatshed first – even though Huck didn’t spend much time in the shed during daylight, it was worth checking.