The Denslow Island Mystery

By Teddy Garcia

This is the second book of a trilogy about Jamie and Emily, and their mischievous twins John and Anne, with their two dogs Gigi and Daiquiri on an adventurous trip to the mysterious Denslow Island in Bermuda.
On their way, the family will meet Kirk and Steen, father and son explorers searching for sunken treasures in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Watch the twins and their new friend Steen experience many hilarious mishaps and dangerous adventures.
You will laugh at their antics as they enjoy life on the high seas and on the beautiful island of Bermuda.
Learn about William Denslow and his movie producer friend. Scoundrels who managed to acquire an illicit and unimaginable amount of wealth and their elaborate scheme to keep it safely hidden from others.
You will enjoy watching the budding romance between Anne and her new friend Steen, as they grow closer with each adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483591193

Book preview

Epilogue

Preface

This book began as soon as I finished my first book, The Hourglass Treasures, which after all made a lot of sense, since the story of Jamie and Emily required a follow up and closure. But not so fast! Very soon I found out that my job was by no means over! Most writers immerse themselves writing a book, and after months and even years of constant typing, researching and thinking about their story, they finally arrive at the most anticipated moment when they proudly declare: The End! They cry out loud. Congratulations! They say, looking around for approval, but finding no one near, and after some thought they asked themselves: Now what? Months of worrying, and caring for the unborn creature, suddenly and without much fan fare, the baby is born! Now what? You ask yourself looking proudly at your baby in front of you and feeling a sense of accomplishment, but also an empty void inside of you. All of a sudden the baby starts to cry and you realize your job is not over. Now it wants to be fed, nurtured and prepared to go into cyber-space and the printed world. Haven’t I done enough for you? You ask him and see it needs some clean up. I’m tired and exhausted. I need to rest now! But he cries even louder. Look baby I don’t know about any of that stuff you’re asking me to do! Can I tell you a secret? I’m really not a writer. I’ve never done this before! I’m new at this sort of thing, so leave me alone! But the baby would not listen and kept on crying. So I found out my job was not done! Like a nightmare of my own creation, little Frank, I named it in reference to a Hollywood creation of a similar monster, demanded more of my time and attention. Haven’t I done enough giving you life? I said. Now go show the world how wonderful and talented you really are. You’re my son and you’ll do just fine! Let me do something else perhaps write another book! But first, I need some rest! But of course, there’s no rest for the weary. You see, I found out that writing a book was pretty much like conceiving a baby, which is actually the fun part of creation. Now comes the hard part of grooming and editing the syntax and never mind the grammar, the format and the style and well, you name it! The thing needs to look professional, and not something you just put together and got printed in an alley somewhere!

My baby demanded, and received all the attention and grooming it needed, and finally was on his own. Of course I worry about little Frank going out in the world with his poor syntax and style or his grammar and prose, but I raised him right, and I’m sure he will do well. Much like a child going to college and leaving you behind with a feeling of an empty nest, little Frank left me lonely and yearning to conceive another one, the seed of which had already germinated and was growing in my mind, becoming restless and wanting to be born. So came to be The Denslow Island Mystery, which I christened Frank junior, and who I found out also had a mind of its own!

Prologue

The story of the Denslow Island Mystery began as a family trip to the Islands of Bermuda. The nearest landmark West of Bermuda, for an intrepid crow to fly to but eventually succumb from exhaustion and drown in the choppy dark waters of the Atlantic, would be 500 miles to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

This archipelago paradise consisting of 140 volcanic Islands, have a most unique scenery and architecture, sub-tropical flora and beautiful pink coral beaches. It is a British Overseas Territory, which despite being close in proximity to the right hand driving Americans, it forces its citizens to have to drive on the wrong side of the road. Due to Bermuda’s limited availability of twisted roads, only a few citizens of the Protectorate are able to afford four-wheel vehicles, leaving most of its citizens with no other choice than to drive the dangerous roads on the two-wheeled variety. Occasionally, one can see some young fearless tourists, daring to take the risk of driving a scooter on the wrong side of the road, sometimes with serious consequences.

Hamilton is the capital of the islands, and was named after an adventurous British soldier, who while in charge of the Northern British territory of Detroit, had encouraged Indian raids against the American frontier settlements of Virginia and Pennsylvania. It was because of the limey’s inglorious actions that he was rightly named the Hair-buyer General even though he vehemently denied having paid for any of the scalps. Having being placed in irons by our future President Thomas Jefferson, who was at the time Governor of Virginia, he was eventually set free to go back to his native land where he was rewarded for his ignominious activities in the new territory of America, with the governorship of the minuscule British territory of Bermuda.

The minuscule island archipelago has its own currency, and the dubious honor of being the only continuously inhabited English territory in the new world. Bermuda’s economy is based on off shore insurance and reinsurance and, of course, tourism. To its credit, it has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita.

Bermuda’s most famous claim to glory, however, was not its beautiful beaches, flora or fauna, but the fact that it is located in the northernmost point of the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Bermuda’s deep shores are a resting place for numerous shipwrecks, as well as a number of aircraft disappearances.

During my family’s short stay there, we were invited to visit Denslow Island by its current owners who had changed the name back to its original Bluck’s Island. The small Island is located smack in the middle of the Hamilton Harbor and commands an impressive view of the bay. The Islands, comprising of Bermuda proper, are in fact the summit, or highest peaks, of a volcanic sea mountain range named the Mid-Atlantic ridge, which through the process of plate tectonics and stretching of the sea floor were formed approximately 100 million years ago. The volcano that created the string of islands, decided to take a turn west of the mid-Atlantic ridge and eventually become dormant. However, some 30 million years ago it decided to awaken from its deep slumber. It shook itself a few times during the middle Eocene period, erupting, and burping as in displeasure, and becoming extinct until this day.

I almost forgot! The novel is also about World War Two, U-Boat submarines and Nazi gold.

Chapter one

We have to go back!

The mighty steel leviathan rested in the calm clear waters of the bay, much like a modern-day sea monster, with grey metal plate scales lining its long sleek body. Inside its bowels, the rumbling sound of the twin diesel engines could be heard coming to a stop. On the top deck of the vessel, sailors wearing dark winter gear could be seen busily moving about and tying long heavy lines to a small wooden pier.

Deep inside the bowels of the beast, the rumbling sound of its diesel engines gave way to the clanking and hissing of hot metal plates cooling and contracting in the engine room. Suddenly, the sound of quiet permeated the cramped quarters of U-505.

Achtung, dies ist ihr Kapitan sprechen. Attention, this is your Captain speaking! Said the metallic raspy voice coming from small speakers located throughout the vessel’s compartments. All non-essential personnel will vacate the ship in an orderly manner, and will assemble on the forward deck until further notice! Said, Kapitanleutnant Axel Olaf Lowe, and he placed the microphone back on its cradle hook.

Suddenly, the opening of hermetic hatches was heard throughout the ship, followed by the muted sound of thick cork soled shoes running on the steel plated floors. Then came the clanking sound of feet climbing up the metal stairway, leading to the conning tower and the upper deck.

Herr Chief, is the cargo ready to be brought up on deck? Asked the mild mannered captain, scratching his beard as he sat down on a padded metal chair in his Captain’s quarters.

Ja, mein Kapitan! Responded Chief Engineer Fritz Foster standing at attention. The box is secured and ready for transfer!

Very well then, we must hurry and move it to the island before daybreak! Said the Captain. We don’t need to stay in these shallow waters any longer than necessary!

Ja, mein Kapitan! These waters are crawling with enemy vessels!

Ja! Said the Captain. Carry on then!

The chief engineer saluted smartly going out of the small cubicle and gently closing the light wooden door behind him. He then hurriedly began walking toward the back of the ship.

Up on deck, sailors were lining up on the forward deck of the sleek war machine; some were standing and smoking cigarettes, while others were leaning on the menacing 80mm deck cannon, while others were seen walking down a narrow metal plank-way toward a small wooden dock below.

The sailors on shore were seen walking toward a light yellow stucco building with white coquina slab roof. The house had a front side-stairway, leading to a high up porch overlooking the bay. The house had a tropical architectural design with overlapping white coquina slab roofing and many chimneys, and appeared to be freshly painted. The relatively new structure was standing on a rocky island commanding an impressive view of the bay.

Her doctor! Said a tall man in dark military uniform, accompanied by a group of men who were facing a lanky balding man wearing a short lab coat.

The sailors’ uniforms had ‘Kriegsmarine’ yellow letters written on the band of their brimless blue caps. They leaned casually on long mouser rifles, as they stared at the lonely figure in front of them.

Her Doctor, I will ask you one more time! Are you willing to be part of our glorious thousand years Third Reich, or, would you rather have my men shoot you now? Asked the hatless officer with a red band swastika on his left arm.

The doctor looked at the officer but didn’t say a word!

Amerkanisch? Asked the officer. Then, Englisch, Verstehen, Deutsch?

The man in the white coat remained immutable looking straight ahead at the German officer.

Speak you swine! Or I will have my men open fire on you! He then looked at the sailors to his right. The sailors immediately responded by standing at attention.

I am American! Said the man defiantly looking at the soldier. I will not be part of your Nazi megalomaniac dream of world conquer!

Stupid Amerikanisch! Said the officer looking to his right at the three sailors who were holding the rifles. You leave me no choice!

Fertig machen! He said. Upon his command, the three sailors started to line up two feet apart from each other in front of the distraught man, and began to inject bullets inside the chambers of their rifles.

Ziel! The officer ordered.

No! Said a woman’s voice from the front porch of the house.

Emily no! Said the man trying to stop his wife from coming to his aid.

Was? Asked the soldier, temporarily distracted by the voice of the blond haired woman rushing toward her husband.

Ziel! He repeated the order, and then, Feuer!

The loud sound of rifle fire reverberated throughout the still calmness of the island.

Emily woke up terrified, and turned to her husband who was sleeping next to her. Jamie, Jamie, wake up! She said with sweat pouring down her face.

What honey, what is it? Asked her husband rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

It’s my grandfather, Jamie!

Emily, honey you were dreaming sweetheart! Said Jamie trying to calm her and make her understand.

He’s in danger! She said trying to shake away the visions still vivid in her mind.

Jamie looked at his wife and said. Emily, your grandfather is dead!

What? She responded, seemingly surprised by his words. Well yes, Jamie, I know that! But, you don’t understand!

Honey, it was a nightmare! He said, trying to bring her back to reality.

Nightmare, nightmare, yes! She said trying to understand. That’s what it was! A nightmare! She said, with her mind still foggy.

Let’s go back to sleep honey. He said, turning his pillow over to the cool side and laying his head on it.

Emily lay on her back, staring at the ceiling and trying to make sense of the vivid images she couldn’t shake from her mind.

Jamie wake up! She said, shaking her husband by the shoulder.

What honey? He said, smiling and turning to look at her.

What Jamie saw, was a picture of terror and despair on his wife’s sweat drenched face.

Jamie, you must listen! She said, wide-eyed looking at him. We have to go back!

Back? Back, where Emily? He asked much concerned now.

To the island Jamie! We have to go back to the Island to save my grandfather! She said as Jamie embraced her.

The cave

Chapter two

My Indian Friend

Got another one! Said Anne, smiling at her brother as her head came out of the water. She was holding a spear gun with a small grouper at the end of it. She held on to the side of the small boat, catching her breath and smiling.

That’s a good one Sister! I think we have enough for a nice cook out! He said, looking at all the other fish on the floor of the boat.

I like this Hawaiian spear John! She said, climbing on board the small Boston Whaler.

Yes Sis, it’s simple to use and works great at getting the fish from under the rocks! John took the gun from her hands and began to remove the struggling fish from the prong end.

Hey John, I have an idea!

John was busy getting the fish inside a sack with the rest of the catch. He turned to look at his sister warily. What’s your idea Sis? He asked with trepidation, knowing that his twin sister’s idea could potentially spell trouble.

How about we have a fish cook out inside the cave? She asked very excited.

What? Oh no! And walk barefooted on those sharp dogteeth rocks? No thank you!

John! You know there are two ways to access the cave; one is by land and the other by water!

Anne, the last time I did that, I almost got all cut up on the rocks in the underwater passage to the cave! He said. The current down there is very rough. I really don’t want to take any chances, not if I can help it! He said, shaking his head from side to side.

Look John, we have some very nice fish but nowhere to cook them! She said looking at the bag of fish on the floor of the boat. The beach is too far away and I don’t think we will find any wood there!

Yeah! He said looking at the distance. The beach is pretty much clear of any debris at this time of the year, and you’re right, there is dry wood inside the cave!

Yeah, so what do you say then, brother? It will be so cool to get inside that cave! She pleaded.

You know, the last time we were here with Mom and Dad was almost two years ago! We’re almost eighteen now. He said. Time sure passes fast!

Yeah, particularly when you’re not having fun! She said shaking her long red hair from side to side trying to dry it in the sunny breeze.

What are you talking about Sis? I’m the one who doesn’t have any fun, studying all the time! He said glaring at her. You’re the smart one, so you don’t have to study!

And, whose fault is that John?

You! That’s who. He responded.

You’re crazy John! How can I be responsible for your poor IQ? She asked. You don’t try to concentrate on your studies! That’s your problem!

How can I concentrate when you sucked out all the nutrients from inside the womb and left me all dried up? He said. Plus you also took all the smartness from me. He said, now looking serious.

John, you were born fatter and taller than me! She said defensively.

Yeah right! Ever heard of good perfumes come in small bottles?

Never mind, this is a stupid argument! She said abruptly. You just need to dedicate yourself more to your studies John, and stop going out with girls all the time.

Well Sis, you do have a point there, I grant you! He said smiling at her.

So, how about it? She asked.

What do you mean, going inside the cave?"

Yes the cave, dummy. Oops! I didn’t mean to say that. She said smiling.

Yeah. I heard that! He said glaring at her.

Let’s go John! It will be so cool! She said excitedly.

Well, the water is calm today, so there won’t be much current to push us around down below.

So, let’s go do it! She said excitedly.

OK, help me get all these fish inside the bag!

Yeah, and we’ll need matches too! She said grabbing an aluminum cylinder with matches sealed inside.

OK, John, get the fish and I will bring the box of matches! She said getting in the water.

Why do I always have to carry the heavy load? He asked reaching for the bag of fish.

That’s because I’m a girl, or would you like to complain about that too? She asked, smiling at him.

No thanks, I’m glad, you were the girl! He said, and added. Some things are not worth arguing about!

John grabbed the burlap sack of fish and got in the water. Anne followed.

John, I remember this being the exact location you went in the last time!

And how do you know that, Sis? He asked skeptically.

Well, for one thing, do you see that rock straight ahead by the water edge? She asked pointing to shore.

Yeah, you mean the one that looks like the profile of a dog?

Yes, that’s the one!

That’s the same dog I stared at all the time, while waiting for you to come out of the cave! She said looking at him sternly.

Yeah, right! Well, let’s not start that again, OK?

OK, let’s go! She said bending over and going under water, leaving only a small ripple on the surface with her fins.

John followed her holding the sack of fish, and they both swam under water toward the rocky shore.

John and Anne loved to free dive without the cumbersome scuba diving gear. All they would bring with them was their mask, fins and a knife strapped to their ankles. As of lately, they were using the simple Hawaiian spear, consisting of a hollow bamboo cylinder with a strung rubber band on one end and a single prong spear. They learned to use this method of spear fishing when the family visited Hawaii, where they also learned to free dive as the natives in the Islands. They learned to stay under water for as long as five minutes, after which they tried to break their own record, but no matter how many times they tried, they just couldn’t do it. Anne however, was slightly ahead of him by just a few seconds.

One time, they were with their parents exploring some underwater caves in the Bahamas looking for lobsters. Anne found the mother-load of lobsters, all piled together inside of a small cave. Using a tickle stick and a net bag with a wide metal loop, she guided the spiny creatures one by one inside the bag. Anne was so excited with her find that she forgot her apnea CO2 levels were getting dangerously high. She was becoming dizzy, when she suddenly panicked at the thought that she might involuntarily inhale water. She dropped the bag of crustaceans, and began swimming rapidly toward the surface thirty feet above.

Her father, mother and brother were on the boat, worried waiting for her. John was about to jump in the water when Anne finally broke the surface.

Anne,