Los Angeles Detective

Chapter 298 Treasure

Reifni looked surprised, took out her phone and took a photo, then looked puzzled, "Why is your map smaller than mine?"

Walker replied, "If all maps were the same, you would never be able to piece together a complete map."

 “You are right, your honor.” Revney shrugged and began to study the ‘new treasure map’.

If the previous treasure map was just a corner, then this corner can find multiple similar locations in Big Bear Lake. After the map is merged, the treasure map has more complete terrain and vegetation characteristics, and can accurately locate the specific treasure range.

The three of them checked the treasure map and the map of Big Bear Lake while comparing it. However, they used different tools. Walker used a paper map, Revney's mobile phone, and Luke's tablet.

The paper map couldn't be enlarged, and the screen of the mobile phone was small. In the end, both of them gathered next to Luke's tablet.

Walker murmured softly, "It seems that loving enjoyment is not a bad thing."

 Twenty minutes later, after careful comparison, the three finally determined the scope of the treasure map, which was about three miles away.

However, although the scope of the treasure hunt has been determined, the complete treasure map still does not clearly indicate where the treasure is hidden, and the scope is still a bit large.

 Walker picked up the spliced ​​map and asked, "Is there any clues hidden on the map that we just didn't find?"

Refni also came over to check, pointing to the left and right sides of the map, "There is one sun on your map, and there is also a shadow of the sun on my map. Why are there two suns?"

Luke also came over and observed carefully, "Although they both look like the sun, there is a certain color difference. Why are the colors of the two suns different? Does it mean that the time is different?"

“When?” Walker muttered, stroking his chin and thinking, “When will two suns appear in the sky?”

Reifni showed a look of surprise and snapped her fingers, "I understand, it's not two suns, but one moon and one sun, so the sun on your map is darker and the moon on my map is lighter.

  And the position is also different. "

“The sun and the moon shine together!” the three of them said in unison.

 The three of them looked at each other and smiled in unison. This is the fun of adventure and treasure hunting.

 Use limited clues to clear away the fog, find where the treasure is buried, and gain huge wealth.

 In this process, everyone brainstorms, unites and cooperates, which is also a precious treasure and precious memory.

Luke feels that this adventure will become a good memory when he grows old.

 Walker looked down at his watch, "Usually this happens in the evening.

 Guys, we have to get to the treasure hunt location within an hour. "

Reifni pointed to her SUV, "What are you waiting for? Get in the car."

 …

The three of them drove to the treasure location.

 The treasure cache is still quite large, about nearly a mile, and the search area is still quite large.

 The terrain is also relatively complex with lakes, woods, and hills, making it difficult to complete the search in a short time.

Reifni parked the car and Walker got out of the car. He compared the surrounding terrain with the treasure map and found no obvious abnormalities.

Luke said, "It's now past four in the afternoon, and it will get dark in less than three hours. I suggest we split up and search in three different directions starting from the lake. This will be more efficient."

Refni shook her head, "Nonono, I don't think this is a good idea. The treasure is not that easy to find, and there may be traps in the treasure hiding place.

 I think everyone should act together, it will be safer. "

Walker nodded, "I agree with Revney's suggestion. Now that the treasure hunting location has been determined, it can't escape. It would be better to act together."

“OK.” Luke shrugged. Two to one, he could only compromise.

 Subsequently, he also figured out the reason.

 Walker trusts himself more and should support himself. Why does he agree with Revney's proposal?

Also, Raifni said before that she prefers to hunt for treasures alone. Why is a woman who is a proper woman suddenly so hesitant?

 Since it is unreasonable, there must be a reason.

Luke guessed that it was probably because of the treasure.

 The three of them acted separately. If one of them discovered the treasure, it would be inevitable that he would not act in a wrong way, which might lead to conflicts in the end. This may be what the two of them were worried about.

 As a newbie in treasure hunting, Luke is a little slower in this regard.

However, his advantage is that he is good at analysis, and it is not difficult to figure this out.

This also illustrates the importance of teamwork. It is clear that the three of them can act more efficiently separately, and they are not far apart and can take care of each other.

 But because there is not enough trust, we can only choose a less efficient method.

Although everyone understands this truth, sometimes human nature is incomprehensible, and compromise is the lubricant for peaceful coexistence.

 Subsequently, the three people were more than ten meters apart and searched forward where they could see each other...

 The three of them searched for more than an hour. The sun was setting and it was getting dark.

"I want to take a rest." Walker sat down on the ground, breathing heavily.

  Luke took out a bottle of beer from his backpack and handed it to him.

"Thanks."

 Luke took out two more bottles of beer, handed one to Leifni, and drank the other himself.

 "Gulu gulu..." Luke drank more than half a bottle of beer to quench his thirst and replenish his energy.

Walker was getting old after all. After resting for a while, he regained his composure and took out the map to study again. "I don't think this will work. It will be dark soon. We can't even search the entire treasure range on the map."

Refne asked, "Do you have a better way?"

Walker pointed to the map, "I always feel that this phenomenon of the sun and the moon shining together should hide other clues. What we guessed before was the time...

 The real clue is the location. "

 Walker's words reminded Luke.

Luke took the map and took out a pencil and connected the sun and the moon with a straight line. The middle point of this line happened to fall on a hill.

 This may be the location of the treasure.

Walker smiled, "You are indeed the best police detective in Los Angeles. If I had known better, I should have left you in the car to study the map."

Reifni also showed a relaxed smile, "It's not too late." Reifni took out the map of Big Bear Lake for comparison, pointed to the front right and said, "The hill should be there, we'd better take advantage of the darkness. Rush over.

 I feel like the treasure is beckoning to us. "

 Then, the three of them walked towards the hill.

The location marked by Luke is only an approximate location. After all, there is an error between the map and the actual object, and the error is likely to be quite large.

 After finding a hill similar to the one on the map, search around the hill with a diameter of 100 meters.

 The three of them searched very carefully for fear of accidentally missing the treasure. However, they searched the hill carefully and still did not find the brown wooden box suspected of hiding the treasure.

At this time, Luke couldn't help but wonder if he had misunderstood.

Reifni was also a little disappointed and sat on the lawn to rest.

 Walker thought for a moment, "Hey, I just saw a few sunflowers."

Reifni asked, "I've seen it too. There are such wild sunflowers in many places. It's not surprising."

“You’re right, but the sunflower is the state flower of Kansas, and Forrest Finn, who buried the treasure, was from Kansas.

 Is this too much of a coincidence? "Walker showed an excited look as he spoke.

“Could this sunflower be the mark left by Forrest Finn, and the treasure may be hidden beneath the flower.”

Luke waved the folding shovel, "Then there's nothing to hesitate about. Just dig it up and take a look."

The three of them just went ahead and found the location of the sunflower under Walker's guidance. The three of them took turns digging and dug a one-meter-deep pit under the sunflower.

  However, no brown wooden box was found, and no treasure was found.

Walker sighed and said to Ravenie beside him, "You're right, there are so many of these flowers, it's not surprising."

Reifni looked around, "It's dark, and we can't continue to search for the whereabouts of the treasure today.

 And I didn’t even eat lunch, I was starving. "

Luke said, "Let's drive back to the campground. I have food in the RV.

 But I’m too tired today and don’t want to cook, so I can only eat some ready-made food. "

Reifni swallowed, "As long as it can fill my stomach, I'm satisfied."

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go." Luke waved his hand. Although he didn't find the treasure, he had a fulfilling day today.

 Overall, not bad.

 …

 After returning to the camp.

 Supper is very simple, with staple food including big ribs, canned beef, pork sausage, pickled cucumbers, apples, oranges, and milk.

 “Wow, that’s so rich!

 I haven’t had such a sumptuous dinner for a long time. "Reifni looked at the food on the table and couldn't help but swallow her saliva.

 “Then eat quickly.

 You're welcome, it's all ready-made food," Luke said indifferently.

Leifani ate a piece of big pork sausage with pork sausage, and glanced at Luke's RV, "This is the first time I've seen a treasure hunter who enjoys it like you."

Luke smiled and said, "You are right, I am just a rookie in the treasure hunting industry. I would rather enjoy exploring in nature."

Refni said, "That only means you are a rich person."

 The three of them were all hungry, and soon Feng Zhuan Can Yun ate all the food on the table.

Leifani took the initiative to take on the heavy responsibility of washing the dishes, Luke was responsible for clearing the table, and Walker was too tired to move.

 He is already sixty years old and no longer young.

After cleaning up, Luke opened a bottle of whiskey and prepared some snacks. The three of them drank while discussing the treasure.

Refni sighed, "We have searched the opponent's area on the map, but we still haven't found the whereabouts of the treasure.

 Is there something wrong with our treasure hunting method? "

 Walker took a sip and said, "Luke, what do you think?"

Luke stared at the treasure map on the table. The content on it was already very familiar to him. There was no doubt that it was the Big Bear Lake. The only doubt on the map was that the sun and the moon shined together.

It is precisely based on this phenomenon that they came up with two possible ways to find the treasure.

 The first way, the sun and the moon shining together represents time. Around dusk, Luke originally guessed that the treasure could be found during this special time period, but they also searched during this time period, but did not find it.

The second way is that the sun and the moon shine together to represent the location. Luke connects the sun and the moon with a line, and the midpoint of the line happens to intersect with the hill. Luke guesses that the treasure may be on the hill, but the result is also wrong.

What does the sun and moon mean?

Or maybe it’s not the sun and the moon at all?

Luke suddenly thought about his swimming experience in Big Bear Lake this morning. Reflection?

 One is the real sun and the other is the reflection in the water. What the map really wants to imply is that ‘the treasure is hidden in the lake’.

 Luke expressed his guess.

Refni took the photo and looked at it, "The two suns, one shallow, one deep, one high and one low, are they suggesting that the treasure is hidden at the bottom of the lake?

 I find this idea very interesting. "

Walker echoed, "I find it interesting, too. I'm sure the people who buried the treasure find it interesting too.

This is very characteristic of Forrest Finn, the treasure hoarder.

 Many people have different understandings of a treasure map, and many treasure hunters will value the ‘reasonableness’ of the treasure map.

I think this is correct, but this rationality is not what you think is reasonable, but what the treasure hunter thinks is reasonable.

 The treasure map should be understood according to the character, characteristics and environment of the treasure hunter.

From my understanding of Forrest Finn, the use of two suns to represent reflections in the water, alluding to the treasure at the bottom of the lake, is very consistent with his style.

 Hello guys, we are one step closer to the treasure. "

After hearing these words, Reifani seemed to be inspired. Her mood gradually improved and she talked more. She first looked at Luke and asked, "Are you really a police detective?"

 “That’s right, I’m from the Robbery and Murder Department.”

　　"Sounds very powerful." Ravenie looked at Walker opposite again, "Are you really a judge?"

Walker's expression became serious, his temperament was different, and his voice was loud, "Isn't it like that?"

 “Wow, it feels a bit like that.” Leifani laughed, “But I feel even more incredible.

　　Why would a respected, well-established and wealthy judge become a treasure hunter? "

“It’s a long story, and it’s also a little secret of mine…

How about this? I'll tell you after we find the treasure. Walker said perfunctorily and asked, "What do you do?" A full-time treasure hunter? "

  Reifni sighed lightly, "I have done a lot of jobs before, but I am not a very qualitative person, and each job lasted only a short time.

 In the words of my ex-husband, my life was a mess.

 Then, he divorced me.

I want to obtain custody of my daughter, and I am fighting for it. The prerequisite for obtaining custody is that I have a certain material foundation.

 That's why I'm treasure hunting, I need money. "

"Typically, when parents divorce, the mother has a greater chance of getting custody," says Walker.

“Well... I have done some wrong things before... In the eyes of many people, I am not a qualified and good mother.

 I also realized my mistake and have been working hard to win over my daughter.

 She is very important to me and I am willing to change for her. "

Walker said, "Come on, as long as you go in the right direction, everything will be fine."

 “Thank you, you are one of the nicest judges I have ever met.”

Luke smiled and said, "This is your illusion. You should meet Judge Walker in the court."

“Comon, there are no judges or policemen here. We all have the same identity now—treasure hunters.

Let me have a drink together. After drinking this drink, I am going to sleep. I am almost exhausted.

 The search for treasure will continue tomorrow. "

"cheers."

 …

 The next morning.

 The sun rises in the east, the weather is clear and the air is fresh.

  Luke and the three of them got up, had a simple breakfast, and then drove to Big Bear Lake to search for treasures.

 The focus of their search today is the bottom of the Big Bear Lake.

Considering the difficulty of searching at the bottom of the lake, the three of them also put on more equipment.

 Because it was a temporary trip, there were not many diving-related equipment.

  Luke provided a diving goggles, Walker a waterproof flashlight, and Ravenie a kayak.

 The improvised equipment can barely complete this mission. Perhaps this is the so-called strength in numbers.

 The three of them first observed around the Big Bear Lake to confirm the approximate range of treasures in the lake.

 Then the three of them began to take turns diving to search the seabed. All three of them could swim, but neither Walker nor Revney was proficient in diving, and their ability to hold their breath was much worse.

Luke can hold his breath for three minutes in the lake, and the two of them can only stay for more than one minute at their best. And as the number of dives increases, the diving time becomes shorter and shorter.

 This also resulted in the three men's search efficiency at the bottom of the lake being inefficient.

 At noon, the three of them still had not found the whereabouts of the treasure.

Because they had exhausted too much energy, the three of them were tired and hungry, so they decided to memorize the approximate location and mark it at the bottom of the lake, then go ashore to eat and rest.

 Lunch is very simple, consisting of big ribs, canned beef, pickles, and coffee.

After eating, the three of them exchanged their experiences on searching for treasures at the bottom of the lake.

Walker said, "I am too tired. I must reduce the number of times I go into the water in the afternoon. Otherwise, if the treasure is not found, I may go to see God first."

Refni said, "I am also very tired, but I must overcome it. If we don't go into the water, the treasure will not float on its own."

Walker suggested, "We underestimated the difficulty of searching the bottom of the lake. We should buy some professional snorkeling equipment, wetsuits and oxygen bottles. With these two things, it will be very simple for us to search the bottom of the lake."

Refni shook her head, "We have already searched most of it and can finish it this afternoon. There is no need to spend that wasted money.

I can’t afford to buy new equipment now.

 By the time you buy new equipment and make a round trip, we might have found the treasure. "

If Walker initially proposed to buy snorkeling equipment, Luke would support it.

 But as Leifni said, half of the search work at the bottom of the lake is completed now, and the remaining half only needs to be completed step by step, and he doesn't think it is necessary.

Furthermore, through going into the water again and again, he also gained some experience in diving. During this period, he used a diving card, and his diving skills also improved a lot.

Luke said, "I think you can make a compromise and continue searching the bottom of the lake this afternoon. If you can't find it, buy professional diving equipment tomorrow."

 Neither of them objected, so they agreed by default.

 Subsequently, Luke talked about some of his diving experiences and some labor-saving methods.

 At around two o'clock in the afternoon, the three of them continued snorkeling.

 It’s just a little different from the way of diving in the morning.

This time, when they entered the water, they no longer went downstream. Instead, they carried a large stone on their backs and sank directly to the bottom of the lake. They also carried the stone when searching underwater. They used the weight of the stone to adjust their body posture and directly used their feet on the bottom of the lake. walk.

When the oxygen is almost exhausted while swimming, put the pebbles on your back into the net tied with a rope next to it, put your feet on the bottom of the lake, and you can easily float to the surface.

 Afterwards, the companion will fish up the big stone.

 The less physical energy is expended and the longer you hold your breath, the higher the efficiency of finding treasures.

 At around four o'clock in the afternoon, Walker and Revney were already too tired to have any strength, and only Luke still had the ability to swim.

The sky is also starting to get dark, which will gradually increase the difficulty of the search. The area where treasures may be hidden in the lake is also gradually decreasing, and the treasure hunting time has entered a countdown.

At this time, the three of them were a little discouraged. Could it be that they guessed wrong again this time.

 The treasure is not at the bottom of the lake?

 The three of them were tired and hungry. They had lost the excitement of treasure hunting and were just looking for treasures mechanically.

Luke once again carried the stones and sank to the bottom of the sea. He held a strong flashlight in his right hand to search the bottom of the lake. He had done this job many times today, and the original excitement of being at the bottom of the lake had long since passed.

Just when Luke thought that this diving search would be in vain, he suddenly saw a brown wooden box at the bottom of the lake in front of him, and suddenly he became excited.

Luke walked closer to check. There was no sign of damage to the box. It was locked. It was about sixty centimeters wide and fifty centimeters long.

 Luke lifted the box and placed it in the fishing net nearby.

 He threw away the pebbles, floated to the surface of the water, and waved his hand, "You can pull up the pebbles."

Reifni habitually pulled up the fishing net, but this time she didn't pull it up. "Why does it feel heavy?"

“The pebble just now was a little light, so I changed it to another one. This one is bigger, has stronger pressure, and makes it more stable.”

“OK, it’s you who enter the water anyway, as long as you like it.

 Walker, help me. "Leifani greeted and pulled up the fishing net with Walker.

Walker complained, "Luke, what the **** did you pick up and sink to death."

However, when the fishing net was pulled up, both of them were shocked and looked ecstatic.

　　　"Imagine, you have found a treasure, haha..."

“God bless me, I can’t believe it, I actually found it.

 Am I dreaming? tell me! "

 …

The three of them worked together to transport the box to the shore. Walker and Revney stared at the brown wooden box again and again, with uncontrollable joy on their faces.

Luke was not in a hurry and was ready to wait for them to calm down before opening the box.

Walker touched the brown box with his hand, "The signs of rot are not serious. It should have been waterproofed. What should I do with this lock? I have to find a way to get it off."

Reifni couldn't wait to say, "I'll get a hammer and just smash it open."

Walker objected, "No, you may damage the wooden box. This box is also very meaningful."

Reifni asked, "Then what do you want to do?"

 Walker asked, "Can you two pick locks?"

"No, I'm not a thief." Leifni shook her head.

Luke said, "The lock is a little rusty and it's difficult to open it.

However, I have large iron pliers in my toolbox that can pinch off the lock without damaging the box. "

Luke's proposal was approved by the other two people.

 Then, he took out the iron pliers from the tool box, cut the lock with force, and opened the box under the expectant eyes of the two people.

 There are a lot of yellow and orange gold coins stacked in the box...

 (End of this chapter)