the look on adam’s face when they’d broke the news about dropping the treasure hunt has haunted him in the days since. maybe that’s why — whenever don’s out of the house — he has been looking a little more into the history of the town to try to find out just why adam’s dad would even direct them to a crazy lady’s house.or trying to. snippets of articles published online by claudio morales, whose name he had seen scribbled onto the back of letters, documenting the town’s history behind a paywall. so, naturally he seeks out lia. their moral compass (and someone who he’s sure could take on a journalist/historian/whatever if need be).
“she does?” he quirks a brow, mouth pulling down at the corners to demonstrate that he’s impressed by alexa’s connections. “no, i have not told don,” he scoffs, stepping out of the car after her. henri had considered it, though. at least four times. two of those just so happened to be in the car on the way over. “so relax, i don’t know how far the reaches of outer banks bystander gossip extends, but it totally won’t be on my part that he finds out. don’t get me wrong, though! i don’t break my unspoken cousin code of conduct for just anything. mainly just… because i can’t stand seeing adam looking hurt, to be honest.” just like a sad, grouchy, adam-shaped puppy. a frown tugs at his lips at the thought as he looks up at the building that houses the local newspaper, adjusting the cap on his head as if he needs to make a better impression on the guy when they head inside. “y’know, i don’t know much about historians. other than like… that quote that says they’re gossips who tease the dead. which, heh, newspaper… kinda fitting, huh?”
this type of amateur nancy drew investigation is starting to grow on thalia. she doesn’t not like going around to various people and demanding answers from them, but she also knows that it’s probably not the best experience to be on the receiving end of it. last time they sought someone out like this, they left a giant hole in the middle of the floor of his lighthouse. well, that was mainly alina’s fault—at least she isn’t here with them, now. henri’s always the best of company, so lia doesn’t even mind going back on her word and flipping back to a chapter they had all agreed to close.
“yeah, she’s always trying to bring together the obx latine community,” thalia says, beaming. she nods as henri goes on, in complete understanding of his feelings. “i hate lying to don, too, but we both know he’ll probably freak, and like,” she sighs. “watching adam like this is killing me, too. but if we do this right, we may be able to get him some closure.” she tries to comfort herself with a smile, but there’s still a pang of guilt in her chest just thinking about adam. lia laughs at his joke, like she always does, her heart full again. “always looking for some dirt,” she plays back. “that actually sounds kind of fun. maybe he’ll be cool.” the main office of the building is pretty sparse, but there are a few doors with names printed on them in gold lettering. she spots c. morales on one of the doors on the other side of he room. thalia nods her head in that direction before moving forward, a woman on a mission. she knocks twice, unsure of if he’s even there. “mr. morales?”
