The boat sat anchored in a narrow, hidden channel, shaded beneath a canopy of gnarled trees and thick drapes of Spanish moss. Sunlight broke through in patches, flickering across the still, dark water like scattered coins.
On the deck, the Pogues circled a black duffel bag like it might explode if they looked at it wrong.
Kiara broke the silence, her voice low.
"What do you think it is?"
John B gave a half-shrug."I don't know. Probably money, right?"
JJ perked up, grinning."Or a couple keys. Street value in the low to mid-millions."
Pope leaned in, impatient."Just open it."
John B raised an eyebrow at him. That was a rare burst of emotion from Pope.
Pope shrugged."You're killing me, man."
John B leaned forward. For a moment, no one moved. Everyone seemed to hold their breath. He unzipped the duffel.
Inside — another bag. Smaller. Black rubber. A dry bag, tightly folded and clipped shut.
Kiara frowned."Seriously? A bag inside a bag?"
John B didn't answer. He unclipped it, unrolling the top until something solid slid free — a matte black, airtight cylinder, like a thermos. He turned it in his hands, glancing at the others. Then twisted it open.
PSHHHH. A soft hiss escaped as the seal broke.
They all leaned in, curiosity burning behind their eyes.
Their faces hovered over the opening, expressions shifting fast — confusion, disappointment.
JJ let out a bitter laugh."Oh, man. You gotta be kidding me."
Pope frowned like someone just canceled Christmas.
Kiara and Sarah masked their letdown like it didn't matter.
But John B… he didn't move. Eyes wide. Staring.
Where they saw junk, he saw something else entirely.
Slowly, he reached in and pulled it out — a scratched, battered brass compass. It caught a faint glint of sunlight. To anyone else, it was worthless.
But to John B… it meant everything.
His fingers traced the worn edges. Wonder and something deeper played across his face. Everyone noticed.
JJ frowned."Dude… what? It's not worth anything."
John B's throat tightened. He held it up carefully, almost reverently."This was my dad's."
Silence settled over the boat like a thick fog.
Alexander finally spoke, breaking it."We need to find Lana Grubbs. She might know something."
John B looked at him."You really think he found it?"
Alexander nodded."I do. Those two from earlier? Treasure hunters. They weren't chasing this bag for fun."
JJ leaned forward."Okay, seriously — someone clue us in already."
Kage answered, his tone steady."Wait until we confirm a few things first."
The boat rocked gently beneath them, the trees above swaying like they knew secrets no one was ready to hear.
At Lana Grubbs Home, the house sat slumped at the edge of the marsh, half-swallowed by tangled trees. Weather-beaten walls, paint peeling in long strips. A narrow dirt road curled through the brush and ended here, like it had given up trying to go any further.
The car rolled to a slow stop. Doors creaked open.
JJ climbed out first, uneasy from the start.
"Gotta admit — your dad's compass showing up on Scooter's boat? That's freaky."
John B shut his door."That's why we're here. Lana might have answers."
JJ gave a humorless smirk."Yeah, I'm sure she's dying for company. Not like her husband just drowned or anything."
John B rolled his eyes but didn't bother replying.
Kage stepped forward, scanning the house.
"The chances are low. But we might find something."
Then, suddenly, he froze. His hand came up.
"Wait."
They stopped.
From inside the house — glass shattering. Something heavy crashing to the floor. A muffled scream, sharp and quick.
They moved in closer, cautious now.
Peering through a grimy window, they spotted Lana Grubbs crumpled on the floor, shoulders shaking. The living room was wrecked — furniture overturned, broken picture frames scattered across the floor like leaves in a storm.
Inside, two men loomed: Cruz and Ratter.
Cruz barked down at her, frustration in his tone."Bullshit. Maybe we come back later."
Ratter snapped, louder, more violent.
"Tell me where it is, or I'll fuck you up!"
Cruz shouted over him.
"I'll sink you in the goddamn marsh—"
SMASH. Another crash. Lana screamed.
Ratter leaned down, spitting venom.
"Where is it, you bitch?!"
Lana sobbed."I don't know!"
Cruz wasn't buying it."Is it here?! Or somewhere else?!"
Through tears, Lana's answer barely held together."Please... I— I didn't..."
The shouting faded as the two men stormed out, slamming the door behind them. Seconds later, the roar of an engine — their truck tearing back down the dirt road.
Minutes later, the front door creaked open. Kage, John B, and JJ stepped inside. Broken glass crunched beneath their shoes.
JJ took in the damage, muttering under his breath."Shit."
John B hurried to Lana, dropping to his knees beside her. Her face was swollen, bruised, her eyes wide and hollow with fear.
"Ms. Lana? Hey — hey. You okay?"
Recognition flickered. She exhaled, trembling."It's... it's okay."
JJ shook his head, muttering to himself.
"Dude, she's tweaking hard."
Kage crouched nearby, voice calm but firm.
"Do you need a doctor?"
Suddenly, Lana's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist with surprising strength. Her voice broke, panicked."No cops. Please."
JJ exchanged a glance with Kage, then John B.
"Yeah… not exactly reassuring," he said, grim.
John B hesitated. Lana's eyes stayed locked on his.
"You shouldn't be here," she said.
John B shook his head."Wait. What do you know about those guys?"
Lana's breath hitched."They were looking for something."
John B pulled the compass from his pocket, holding it out."This? You know anything about this? It belonged to my dad. Scooter had it. Why?"
Lana's panic sharpened."Scooter didn't have it, okay? And you can't tell anyone you do."
JJ tugged at John B's arm."Come on. We're leaving."
Kage glanced through the window, watching the road, making sure Cruz and Ratter weren't circling back.
Still, John B pressed."Why?"
Lana's answer came sharp, desperate.
"They can't know. You need to go. Now."
John B pressed again."What do you know about the compass?"
Lana's fear broke loose in a scream.
"GO! Get out!"
Kage stepped in."Let's move."
They backed out fast, hearts pounding, the ruined house closing behind them like a mouth swallowing secrets.
JJ muttered as they made for the car.
"Jesus, man. This is getting nuts."
Kage whispered to John B."Grubbs was involved with your dad. He had something… something tied to your father's disappearance."
John B nods, gripping the compass tighter.
"Yeah. This is the key."
Kage slid behind the wheel of his Range Rover Sport SVR, shutting the door with a solid thud. John B dropped into the passenger seat, staring ahead in silence. JJ climbed into the back, slamming the door shut behind him.
For a moment, no one said anything. Kage started the engine, the deep growl of it cutting through the tension as he pulled away from the wreck of Lana's house.
JJ broke the silence, leaning forward between the seats.
"Can you guys clue me in on what the hell is happening?"
John B didn't answer right away. He sat there, jaw clenched, lost in his thoughts.
Kage kept his eyes on the road.
"Let's just say... John B's father found something. A treasure. And those guys back there? They're after it. If we find it first..." He smirked faintly. "You probably won't have to work another day in your life."
JJ sat back, wide-eyed.
"Are you serious?"
Kage nodded, keeping his hands steady on the wheel.
Finally, John B spoke, his voice low.
"I'll explain everything... when we get back."
The car sped down the narrow road, leaving Lana's wrecked house — and its secrets — behind them.