Reign of Coins by Aiden James Page B

desperately to close the chest’s lid before he died, as if it were direly important to do so. But he failed to shut it. I tried to get close enough to verify the coin bore the eagle and Caesar’s profile, until an invisible force prevented me from drawing any nearer.
    All at once, the world around me grew dark and I was pulled back into my hotel room. I cursed silently at the lost opportunity to mentally take notes on the cave’s physical details, as well as the chest’s other contents illuminated by the coin’s soft glow. Contents important enough for a man to sacrifice his life protecting them.
    Where in the hell was the place I saw? Based on what I observed, the cave had to be someplace in China…likely this area. I had read accounts of what happened during the Battle of Hong Kong, which was the Japanese invasion that came within hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
    Think, William…where is this place?
    The vision’s images that seemed completely real had already begun to fade. I fought to hang on to the textures embracing my senses. Things like the earthen smell, the panicked voices of the men about to die, and other sounds besides gunshots and explosions.
    I had heard gulls screeching nearby and the crash of water.
    The frigging thing must be buried along the coast!
    Either in a cave within Hong Kong proper itself, or on one of the surrounding islands, it was almost as dire a prospect as my coin being buried beneath the city’s sprawling skyline. Not to mention, the Japanese very likely had plundered the cave.
    My blood ran cold. Yet, something told me the soldiers I saw in my dream hadn’t taken my coin. Despite my mind’s logical protests, my heart said the cave’s contents had been left alone and the coin awaited my claim. My left hand began to tremble, further confirming I’d find my prize…provided Viktor Kaslow didn’t end my present lifetime first.
    I now had renewed inspiration to remain in Hong Kong.
    Alistair would be so pleased…and Roderick, not so much.
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
    The Hong Kong heat was sweltering Wednesday afternoon. But, at least it wasn’t raining. Perfect weather for a boat ride, I could hardly wait to get started on my search of the coast and surrounding islands.
    If only Alistair saw things the same way.
    “Pops, you’re not the only one with an interest in rare coins. We barely had an opportunity to see what was on display the other day,” he said. “Since you advised this morning that you planned on ignoring Roderick’s warning to stay put, I knew we’d have to squeeze in as much as possible today. How long do you think it will take him, or someone else in the agency, to react?”
    “Not long,” I said, following him into the cab after scanning the area for any sign of a known friend or foe. So far we were in the clear. “But, I’d think the chances of being interrupted—and possibly you put on a plane back to the States—will be far greater if we return to the coin exhibition. Let’s keep it to an hour, and head to the harbor. Okay?”
    “As long as it’s a full hour once we get there, I’m game,” he, said, sounding glum. “And as far as me leaving here without you? Not happening.”
    “They can be quite persuasive, you know.”
    “Maybe, But I’m not going back home without you. Especially not, if they give us bullshit for not following their silly rules.”
    Our driver smiled impishly at us through the rearview mirror. He couldn’t be any older than nineteen—a kid named ‘Yun Chan’. He drove with the ferocious confidence of a cabby twice his age. Too bad he couldn’t be our chauffeur for the rest of our stay.
    Several thousand coin enthusiasts milled about the Convention and Exhibition Centre’s entrance in the unforgiving heat.
    “Welcome back,” said a lovely voice, approaching me from my left. Cheung Sulyn. “You look well today.”
    Dressed in a gray skirt and a light purple blouse with modest pumps on her