Wild Fiction

‘I’m not sure if they all refer to the same character,’ Rebecca said. ‘This one’s in Ford Prison for insurance fraud. Apparently, he sold all his land and properties – which are the ones you referred to – and used the proceeds to buy items of high worth: paintings, jewellery, gold and silverware were the main purchases. He then insured it all and had it shipped to New York. En route the whole lot went missing and he was paid out vast sums of money by the insurance company. A few months after the pay out, evidence was discovered that linked Sir Betelgeuse to the disappearance of the goods and he was tried and found guilty of fraud. The items and the insurance pay out were never recovered. Sir Betelgeuse has been offered a reduced sentence if he produces the goods and money but so far nothing. He’s been in prison for two years. I’m sure all these places once belonged to him but the plaque on the church,’ Rebecca said looking at James. ‘That I’m not sure about. Anyway, don’t you have to be dead to have a plaque dedicated to yourself?’
‘I bet it’s all hidden on that island,’ James said.
‘Don’t be daft. That would be too obvious. This would become an Enid Blyton Famous Five farce if that was the case. Except I’d call it The Troublesome Three,’ the author gazed into the distance for a moment and scratched his chin. ‘Anyway, the map of the island was produced ages ago. Long before this swindle took place.’
‘Yes, but the island must have been part of the family estate for generations. That’s why it’s in this house which must have belonged to a member of the family in the recent past. Also, it’s the only item we’ve found so far that he didn’t sell off to buy the goods,’ Rebecca said.
‘Point taken,’ the author said scratching his chin and looking thoughtful. ‘What else did the library say?’
‘Well the island is in the hands of the courts. They’re trying to hand it over to the insurance company to sell but Sir Betelgeuse’s brother, Michael, who lives in the United States, is contesting it. He claims that it belongs to him, although the only title deeds available show that it belongs to Sir Betelgeuse. It’s caught up in the international courts at the moment.’
‘Is it part of Belize?’ the author asked.
‘Yes,’ Rebecca said. ‘The Belize government are happy with the British court ruling and say it may be handed over.’
They sat in the room. Maps, paper, books and charts scattered everywhere. They were all looking at Rebecca.
‘So when do we go?’ Rebecca asked.