Joseph clenched his jaw. “Yes. I believe that my diamond is near your discovery site. It's possible it fell from the box or was removed, but I’m sure it is still hidden. Assuming you haven’t found it and hidden it away.”
His tone was joking, but Evan heard the suspicion in the comment.
“If someone had found it already, surely we would have heard about such a momentous discovery,” Evan replied, ignoring the accusation.
“Yes, exactly. That is why I believe my diamond still may be at the location where you found the box,” he stated.
Evan opened her laptop and brought up the mapping software she had used. Joseph stared over her shoulder. “It's here. Navigating the cave system is tricky, but it's also accessible through the mine. Can you believe how close it is to the March Mining tunnels?”
Joseph stared intently at the screen. “Yes, that is unexpected.” Evan couldn’t miss the barely leashed anger in his voice.
“I’ll take you there tomorrow. Omar can assemble a team, and we can examine the mound. There is still quite a large area that I have yet to excavate.”
Joseph expelled an audible breath, relieved. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“Of course. Archaeologists restore history. It would be my privilege to help.” She pressed her palms together. “Just the idea of unearthing such a magnificent stone…”
Joseph squeezed her shoulder and turned toward the door. “Well, it won’t be so glamorous. The uncut gem looks hardly more interesting than a big rock. If you didn’t know what it was, one could easily cast it aside. I’ll call Omar and set a time for the morning. Thank you, my dear.”
“You’re welcome.”
Joseph turned back to her at the doorway. “You know, I have been looking for The Panther's Eye for almost thirty years. Then, out of the blue, Gemini brings a man with yellow eyes to the house. I knew it was a sign.” He disappeared into the hallway before she could respond.
She closed the door and leaned against it. His words were benign enough, but something about the encounter felt threatening. Was he even aware he was referring to it as his diamond?
Evan walked two steps toward her small desk and stopped. The uncut gem looks hardly more interesting than a big rock… a man with yellow eyes… cast it aside… Suddenly she remembered the rock Miguel had pulled out and tossed on the ground, assuming it was a weight to prevent the box from washing away should the cave flood with the tides.
“Oh my God.” Her knees buckled, and she sat on the bed.
Miguel had found The Panther's Eye.
And thrown it away.
Evan stepped to her balcony doors and peeked around the curtain. Joseph's car was just pulling away. She started to grab her gear when she remembered the guard patrolling the beach. If he caught her this time, Joseph would surely know she was up to something. She’d have to sneak in through the mine. With coveralls from the excavation site and her spelunking helmet, Evan could blend in with the miners and hide her face from the security cameras. With a rudimentary plan in place, all she could do now was wait.