“Do you think Dietz had anything to do with it?”
“I’m sure of it, Biff. He either kidnapped Brom Zook, and Brom got away, or he drove Brom into hiding. It’s just got to be one or the other.”
“Dietz knew about this pearl fishery, too?” Biff wanted to know.
“Lots of people know about it, Biff. Stories of a fabulous pearl fishery have been circulating in these parts for years and years. The stories come from the Carib Indians. And every once in a while, a Carib comes to the market with a priceless pearl.”
“But no one has ever located the fishery, is that it?”
“That’s right, Biff. Many have tried, Dietz among them.”
“Where does Derek fit into the picture?” Biff asked.
“I’m coming to that. Derek is motherless. He has spent most of his life divided between living here in Curaçao with his father and living with his grandparents in Holland. When Brom Zook started on his hunt for the pearl fishery, he sent Derek to The Netherlands for his schooling. He knew that he wouldn’t be in Curaçao much of the time, and he didn’t like to leave Derek alone.”
“Why did Derek come back? Particularly since his father is missing?” The picture was still somewhat cloudy to Biff.
“And you sent for me, too. Why both of us?”
“Because you look so much alike. You could easily pass for twins.”
“I know,” Biff said. “In Miami and on the plane, we were taken for twins.”
“I needed you here in the event Derek didn’t show up in time.”
“To establish his right to the pearl fishery his father has found.”
Biff frowned. “I’m afraid I still don’t get it.”
“It’s like this, Biff. The letter I received from Brom Zook, over two weeks after I last saw him, contained a claim to a certain water area, to be filed with the French consulate here in Willemstad, establishing Brom Zook as the discoverer of the fishery. I was to file it for him. Along with the letter and the claim, I received a small package. In it was one of the most perfect black pearls I have ever seen.”
Biff’s eyes turned in the direction of Derek’s coat. He was beginning to get an idea of what Uncle Charlie had found in the box that had tumbled from the jacket.
“This pearl was to be given the French consul along with the claim. In the event Brom Zook didn’t appear within the time limit, the person appearing for him could establish his right by presenting a black pearl that was the perfect match for the one I left with the consulate.”