CHAPTER 61: JAMESON

Jameson and Avery examine the seaside statue they reached by following Rohan’s poppy trail. The statue depicts a woman clothed partly in waves, with one hand pointing out toward the ocean. Remembering the clue “Ladies first,” Jameson first assumes the answer might be hidden in the water or one of the five nearby smugglers’ caves.

Before Jameson and Avery can search methodically, Jameson sees Katharine descending the cliff stairway in a white pantsuit. Because Katharine may know the area better and might overtake them, Jameson abandons a slow search and tests the statue more urgently. Avery notices that the statue’s base seems capable of turning.

Jameson and Avery rotate the statue together until it locks into place and chimes. Avery counts five bells, leading Jameson to reinterpret “first” as the number one. They continue turning the statue through locked positions until only one bell rings, and the Lady’s pointing hand indicates the correct direction.

With Katharine now on the beach, Jameson and Avery race into the smallest cave. The cave quickly turns dark, and Jameson remembers that he has no phone to use as a flashlight. They continue by touch, feeling along opposite walls until the passage splits.

Avery detects water on one side, suggesting a more dangerous route, so Jameson chooses to take the wet passage while Avery takes the other. Jameson follows the damp cave wall through the darkness, aware that Katharine may be following with better equipment. The passage ends at a shallow pool, where Jameson finds Branford standing shin-deep in the water, holding a lantern and a key.