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didn't always do things by the book. He loved the thrill of the hunt and would have never forgiven himself if anybody went after you to get to him. We use metal detectors yes, but we don't aimlessly plod around ploughed fields hoping for a chance find. Gene did serious research which led me to serious places you don't find other detectorists. Our machines are tools to assist us. Sure we find junk like pull tabs, rusted cans, and silver paper and good stuff that detectorists find like silver hammered coins, buttons and buckles. But what we go in pursuit of are things that Governments don't want the public knowing about."
    "Governments? You mean you work for more than one Government?"
    "Sometimes, yes. Sometimes we work against them."
    "And they hire you to go snooping for things? What things?"
    "Things so priceless that museums can't afford to buy so we receive a finder's fee. It's those finder's fees that formed your grandpa's estate and the two million."
    "So this key is why he left my Mom the lighthouse?"
    "Yes. I think he knew if the money was split equally between your mum and her other brothers and sisters they would also want a share of the lighthouse. But by them getting all of the money, they wouldn't care about the lighthouse or your mum."
    "Which is what happened, they don't care."
    "Right. So now all eyes are off your mum and she can do what she likes with the lighthouse and they won't bother her. They don't care if you sell it or if it gets knocked down. You could keep it as a holiday home for all they care."
    "But we can't keep it. I don't understand, you said something about a key and seeing my Grandpa's world. Are you telling me there's something valuable locked in a treasure chest that this key opens?"
    "It's not a chest. It's a room hidden here in the lighthouse." Mark stood up and held out his hand. Abby hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes inspecting his hand for signs of character. It was a strong looking hand but not big like a farmer or construction worker.
    Who is this man who seems to know more about my Grandpa than I do? Abby wondered.
    As her delicate fingers entwined with his, he gently lifted her from the sofa. His skin was soft yet there were faint scars that told a story. These hands had seen action outside of normal web designing duty.
    Keeping hold of her hand, Mark smiled and said, "Come with me."
     

6

The Kings Tunnel
     
     
    Mark led Abby back down the lighthouse stairs, away from the lantern room. Reaching the ground floor he pulled across the thick heavy bolt on the front door, locking it to the outside world.
    He walked over to the old mahogany closet and opened the heavy squeaky door. Extending out his arm past the muddy waders, Mark fumbled around for a few moments at the back of the closet. Suddenly he pulled up hard and there was a simultaneous clack of bolts sounding like soldiers loading their rifles before an execution. The loud echo jolted Abby as she eagerly watched Mark's every move. With a twist of what appeared to be a brass metal coat peg Mark gave a tug and the entire back and floor of the closet swung out into the lighthouse entrance foyer.
    Abby let out a gasp as she peered down into the stone walled hole. Concrete steps led down into darkness.
    "I hope you're not expecting me to go down there," she said.
    "It's perfectly safe. And not as dirty as it looks," Mark replied. "Wait here a moment."
    Abby stood frozen with fear and excitement as Mark disappeared. This looked like something from a James Bond movie. There was a clicking noise as Abby saw a light come on illuminating the stairs. Mark came back up and out of the steps holding out his hand.
    "It's a bit narrow down there but the steps are all solid and even. You go first and I'll be right behind you."
    Abby said nothing and just raised her eyebrows, taking a tentative step into the closet and onto the first step. Looking down the steps it was narrow but there was plenty of head room. She felt relieved not to be