“Does this belong to your people?” asked Ham. The two guides stared at one another, then looked at the items.
“No. Those are not from our people. The symbols are of the language of the Nggela Islands.”
“Did you ever visit those islands?” Ham asked Sadie.
“No. I didn’t, but the crew often had weekends free and could do whatever they liked. I’m not sure how they would have gotten these items, but we have to return them.” Ham nodded, putting the items carefully back in their place.
As the rain stopped, two men carried the trunk down the mountain toward the flattened path they’d seen from up top. Behind them, Chief and Sam blew the cave, collapsing it forever. If Myer and his men returned, they would be sadly disappointed.
Allowing gravity to aid them, Sadie and the men rested their bottoms on their calves and used the fresh water and mud to slide down the side of the mountain. At the bottom, they all laughed, seeing themselves covered in mud and dirt. It was like playing in a rainstorm as an adult, and they knew those laughable moments didn’t always happen while on an op.
Fitch knelt beside the flattened earth, touching the deep grooves.
“Sled logs,” said Fitch. “Somehow, they were able to roll it on logs from Nan Madol to this location.”
“If they got it this far, it has to be close by,” said Ham. “They couldn’t have gotten it off the island or up the mountain without us knowing about it.”
“Hey, guys?” called Sadie. “I think I’ve found our stone.”
Leaning against the base of the mountain covered in loose leaves, logs, and dirt, the stone had been hidden, waiting for its kidnappers to return for it. Ham nodded, kissing Sadie.
“One down.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Pikut was thrilled to learn that the stone had been found. With the help of forty men from the village, they rolled the stone back to its original location. Using iron chains and U-bolts, they secured the stone to its historical home, never to be moved again.
“I cannot thank you enough,” said Pikut. “We still have the idol to retrieve, but this will make our people feel more secure.”
May stared at the stone, running her hand over the intricate carvings and inscriptions. She stood back, tilting her head, following the lettering around the big stone.
“Do you see something, honey?” asked Thomas.
“I’m not sure. It’s mentioning a dragon again. I don’t understand all of it. Is there someone who can help with this?” asked May, staring at Pikut.
“Perhaps our Shaman or one of the elders,” said Pikut. “I understand some of it, probably as much as you. You must remember, we don’t even know who carved the stone.”
“I understand, but we think that Myer and his men believe this stone contains information to a lost treasure. They might return for it if they truly believe it has what they want.”
“They won’t get it,” said Ham. “Those steel locks can’t be broken without tremendous effort. We would see or hear them before it was done.”
“But that might anger them,” said Pikut. “What if they destroy the stone?”
“For now, I might suggest you place a few guards here for the time being. Don’t put your citizen force here. Get military or police support. We can also set up some cameras to view the area,” said Chief.
“I’ll make sure to do that,” nodded Pikut. “What do we do now?”
“Well,” said Ham. “We know how they moved the stone, so we can assume that they moved the idol in the same way. The question is, where. It wasn’t anywhere near the stone, so they either took it in another direction or were able to get it on a boat.”
“But why?” frowned Sadie. “I mean, the idol has no significance to anyone except the people here. It doesn’t contain gold or jewels. It has no hidden treasure map. It is only important to these people.”
“Maybe that’s it,” said Patrick. “Maybe they’re trying to hold it ransom from these people.”
“Bron? Will you and Fitch take the items back to Nggela Island? I’ll have Pikut call ahead so we don’t end up with another incident,” smirked Ham. “Let their people know that we are in pursuit of the thieves.”
“Will do,” said Fitch.
“I will have a small plane take you to the island and bring you back,” said Pikut. Calling ahead, he arranged for Fitch and Bron to return the items. The government officials in Nggela agreed to be waiting for the two men and that they would be allowed to leave.
