Treasured Dreams by Kendall Talbot

as a pointer. ‘By those early months of 1945, the war was drawing to a close, but the United States was growing concerned about the number of prisoners of war held by the Japanese. You have to remember that the Japanese merchant fleet had been nearly entirely decimated. That meant the Japanese were having trouble getting supplies to their own troops, let alone the prisoners.’
    â€˜Come on, professor, stop with the history lesson and get to the good part.’ Jimmy was always in a hurry.
    â€˜Rosalina and Ginger need to know all the facts.’ Alessandro thrust his chin out and waited until Jimmy spooned a mouthful of risotto into his mouth before he carried on. ‘So by utilising neutral Switzerland, the US arranged for the Awa Maru to carry Red Cross relief supplies. The Japanese agreed, of course, because they saw it as an opportunity to load up the ship, which could carry much more than just the supplies, with other cargo. In particular, their precious gold bullion.’
    â€˜Not just gold bullion,’ Jimmy added. ‘Also diamonds, ivory, jewels, antiques, and all sorts of other precious babies.’
    â€˜Sounds like a lot.’ Ginger grinned.
    Alessandro swallowed another mouthful of food. ‘It was substantial. And not only would it have weighed a great deal, it would have required significant space.’ Alessandro waggled his fork as he spoke. ‘It would’ve been difficult to load it onto the ship without many people knowing about it.’
    Rosalina noticed the twinkle in his eye. ‘I assume you know who else knew about the treasure?’
    â€˜ Corretto .’ Alessandro’s eyebrows bounced together. ‘I believe Kimoda Yukimura’s brother knew.’
    Jimmy nodded, as if this was earth-shattering proof of where the treasure was.
    â€˜How did you work that out?’ Rosalina cocked her head at him.
    â€˜Kimoda joined the Japanese navy, but his brother, Hiro, became a pilot. In 1941, he started flying the Nakajima A6M2 fighter bombers. By 1944, he was the squad leader. However, in 1944 he lost a few toes in an air battle—’
    â€˜Eeew, ouch.’ Ginger said it like she’d felt his pain.
    â€˜â€”and Hiro was switched over to flying the Kawasaki Ki-56.’
    Rosalina cocked her head at Alessandro. ‘How did you get this information?’
    Alessandro’s dark eyebrows wiggled. ‘The Ministry of the Navy of Japan was responsible for the development and training of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. Their pilot training was rigorous, selective, and meticulously documented. Much of these records were seized by the end of the war. Fortunately, many of the details are on public record. It’s taken weeks to process. Ginger helped.’
    Ginger and Alessandro shared a look. Rosalina had forgotten that Ginger could read and speak Japanese. Although the blonde seemed so ditzy sometimes, she possessed many intriguing skills.
    â€˜So why is the plane-type significant?’ Rosalina asked.
    â€˜Because the Kawasaki Ki-56 planes were freight transport planes. They could carry up to fourteen passengers and eight tonnes in weight.’
    â€˜Ahh.’ Rosalina had a sinking feeling she knew where this conversation was going. She glanced across the table and noted that everyone seemed to have finished their meal. ‘Should we move to the lounges?’
    â€˜Sure.’ Archer slipped out of the booth seat, and as he helped Rosalina with her crutches, she noticed Jimmy swipe the last slice of sourdough before he left the table.
    Rosalina settled into one of the new lounge chairs, and everyone but Alessandro sat too. Alessandro stood at the front of the group with a pen gripped within his fingers.
    â€˜Are you right there, professor? Want to take a seat?’ Jimmy waggled his half-eaten sourdough at him.
    â€˜ Bene, grazie .’ Alessandro took Jimmy’s ribbing all in his stride. He cleared his throat,