Malcolm knew that tone. Kit was suddenly and profoundly interested. “What trouble, exactly?”
Margo wiped her nose. “The maps didn’t match, not exactly. Here.” She dug out her log and pulled up a file, then turned the screen to face him. `That’s the digital snapshot I made of the river valley where we buried the stuff. I had to scan in Goldie’s chart and superimpose the two. They still didn’t quite match up, but I’m sure I got the right plot of ground.”
Kit studied the screen intently, then started to grin.
”What?”
”Margo, I think I just might be able to pay back every scam Goldie has ever run on me. Malcolm, take a look.”
Malcolm peered over Kit’s shoulder. Then he, too, began to grin.
”what?”
”The river changed course.”
”So?”
Malcolm said patiently, “Look. Here and here and here. See? It’s at least a hundred yards off right here and more than fifty here…”
Margo frowned. Then she got it. Her eyes widened. “You mean-” She started to laugh.
Kit grinned. “Yep. Hell, it’s better than beating her at pool.” He tottered to his feet and gave Margo a hand up. “You, young lady, march straight to the infirmary. Leave Goldie to me.”
Malcolm rubbed metaphoric hands in anticipation.
He could hardly wait to see this one.
* * *
EPILOGUE
Goldie Morran wandered into the Down Time and sank into a chair. Kit and Malcolm left their table and sat down at hers.
”What’s wrong, Goldie?” Kit asked.
The gems and currency expert sniffed autocratically. “It’s that stupid granddaughter of yours. She put the diamonds in the wrong place.”