I thought it was just something to keep him occupied after retirement. Elena turns pages carefully, discovering that Morrison’s research extended far beyond casual historical interest. His notes document specific theories about Spanish colonial treasure sites, cross-referenced with modern topographical maps and GPS coordinates for locations throughout the Superstition Mountains area.
Look at this entry. Elena points to a passage dated six months before Morrison’s death. He writes about acquiring conclusive evidence for a Spanish colonial treasure site.
He mentions finding authentic artifacts that confirm the location of something he calls the Devil’s Eagle Cache. Patricia reads the passage Elena indicates, her amazement growing as she recognizes the depth of her father’s research. Dad never told anyone in the family about finding actual artifacts.
We thought his desert trips were just hiking and camping. Marcus discovers a section of the journal devoted to detailed maps and compass bearings, showing routes through specific areas of the Superstition Mountains. Morrison’s notes indicate multiple visits to the same locations, with careful documentation of terrain features and landmark identification.
Your father found the treasure site, Elena says quietly. These notes show he located the actual burial location for a Spanish colonial silver cache. The journal contains Morrison’s plans for recovering the treasure, including equipment lists, legal research about mineral rights and archaeological regulations, and strategies for authenticating and properly disposing of historical artifacts.
His notes reveal a man who understood both the historical significance and practical complexities of treasure recovery. Patricia stares at the journal, realizing that her father’s final years contained adventures and discoveries that the family never suspected. Why didn’t he tell us? Why keep it secret? Elena and Marcus exchange glances, understanding Patricia’s confusion while recognizing the practical wisdom of Morrison’s discretion.
Treasure hunting attracts attention that can be dangerous, and Morrison’s careful approach suggests he understood the risks involved in recovering valuable artifacts from remote desert locations. The threatening note arrives on a Tuesday morning, slipped under the door of their studio apartment while Elena and Marcus sleep. Elena discovers it when she leaves for her early shift at Rosa’s diner, nearly stepping on the white envelope that bears no postmark, return address, or identifying marks beyond their names, written in block letters across the front.
Inside, a single sheet of paper contains a message composed of letters cut from magazines and newspapers, the classic anonymous threat technique that movies have made cliche, but which feels terrifyingly real when directed at your personal safety. The message reads, stop looking for the Spanish treasure or you will disappear like the others who got too close. Elena’s hands shake as she reads the note twice, then three times, hoping somehow that repeated examination might reveal it to be an elaborate prank rather than a genuine threat.
But the careful construction and specific reference to Spanish treasure eliminates any possibility of coincidence or misunderstanding. Someone knows about their discoveries and wants them to abandon their research. Marcus examines the note when Elena returns from work that evening, his initial skepticism giving way to concern as he recognizes the implications of someone monitoring their activities.
They’ve been careful about discussing their findings, limiting conversations to their apartment, and avoiding detailed discussions in public places, but apparently their caution hasn’t been sufficient to prevent detection. How could anyone know what we found? Marcus asks, studying the letters that comprise the threatening message. We haven’t told anyone except Morrison’s daughter, and she seemed genuinely surprised about her research.
Elena considers the possibilities while preparing their simple dinner of rice and beans, their usual meal when grocery money runs low. We’ve been spending a lot of time at the library researching Spanish colonial history. Maybe someone noticed our research and made connections.
The note mentions others who got too close, suggesting that previous treasure hunters have faced dangerous consequences for pursuing the same Spanish colonial cache that Morrison documented in his journal. Elena recalls reading historical accounts of treasure hunters who disappeared in Arizona’s desert wilderness, though she had assumed those incidents reflected natural hazards rather than human threats. Marcus searches online for information about recent treasure hunting incidents in Arizona, discovering several disturbing reports about missing persons whose disappearances coincided with known treasure hunting activities.
The most recent case involved a metal-detecting enthusiast who vanished near the Superstition Mountains three years ago, leaving behind a truck and camping equipment but no trace of his ultimate fate. Maybe the note is just someone trying to scare us away from a treasure site they want for themselves, Elena suggests, though her voice carries more hope than conviction. Treasure hunters probably compete for the same locations all the time, but the note’s specific wording troubles both twins.
The reference to people disappearing suggests knowledge of actual incidents, not vague threats designed to discourage casual competition. Someone understands the historical significance of their discoveries and possesses enough information to make credible threats about the consequences of continued research. Elena examines the envelope more carefully, looking for clues about its delivery method or origin.
The paper appears to be standard copy paper available at any office supply store, and the envelope shows no distinctive characteristics that might identify its source. Whoever created the threatening message took considerable care to avoid leaving, identifying evidence. We should call the police, Marcus suggests, though he recognizes the limitations of law enforcement response to anonymous threats that don’t constitute immediate physical danger.
At least we’d have an official record if something happens to us. Elena considers this option while weighing the potential complications of police involvement. Their discoveries include valuable artifacts that they acquired through legitimate auction purchase, but treasure hunting activities often intersect with complex legal issues involving archaeological regulations, land ownership, and historical preservation requirements.
The threatening note forces them to confront questions they’ve been avoiding since discovering Morrison’s research journal. How many other people know about the Spanish treasure site? Who else has access to Morrison’s research or comparable historical information? And most importantly, what happened to previous treasure hunters who pursued the same cache that Morrison spent years documenting? Their apartment feels less secure now, vulnerable to surveillance or intrusion by people who possess unknown capabilities and undefined motivations. Elena double checks the door locks while Marcus examines their windows, both recognizing that their ground floor studio provides minimal protection against determined intruders…
