My father was trying to sit up, but he’d lost too much blood, and I could see he was fading fast.

“Listen to me, Casey…there’s not much…time.”

“No, pa, you’re going to be fine.”

“Oh…he got me good…stabbed me…right…in the stomach, he…did. Reflexes…of a cat.”

“Shh, just lay back and rest.” My eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

“I always knew…he’d come back.” My father gave a wry smile and coughed, the sound of it a deep rattle in his chest.

“Who is he? Why is he back?”

“John Pete…my rival…never got over… your ma choosing me…over him. He knew…we had the map…Bertha never could…keep a secret. Thank goodness Violet…kept a copy. It’s in…”

He never got to finish his sentence. He fell back in my arms, eyes closed. Still. He felt light in my arms.

“Bertha! Jimmy! Dan! Anyone? Come on, we need help here! My pa’s dying!” I called out to my father’s shipmates, to anyone who would listen. The only response I got was the sympathetic cry of a seagull circling overhead.