"I find this idea very interesting."
Walker agreed, "I also find it intriguing. I believe the person who buried the treasure would find it interesting too.
This is very much in line with the character of the Treasure Hunter, Forest Finn.
For a treasure map, many people have different understandings, and many treasure hunters value the 'logic' of the treasure map.
I think this is correct, but this rationality is not what you think it is, but what the Treasure Hunter thinks it is.
You need to interpret the treasure map according to the Treasure Hunter's personality, characteristics, and environment.
From what I know of Forest Finn, using two suns to represent reflections in the water, hinting at a treasure in the lakebed, is very much his style.
Guys, we're another step closer to the treasure."
After hearing this, Reeves also seemed to be inspired, and her mood gradually improved. She talked more and first looked at Luke, "Are you really a detective?"
"Yes, I am from the Robbery and Murder Department."
"That sounds very impressive." Reeves then looked across at Walker, "Are you really a judge?"
Walker's expression turned serious, and his demeanor changed, voice booming, "Don't I look like it?"
"Wow, I'm getting a bit of that vibe now." Reeves laughed, "But I find it even more incredible.
Why would a respected, well-established, wealthy judge become a Treasure Hunter."
"That's a long story, and it's a little secret of mine...
How about this, I'll tell you all after we find the treasure," Walker said evasively, then asked in return, "What about you? Are you a professional Treasure Hunter?"
Reeves sighed lightly, "I've done lots of jobs before, but I'm not very consistent, never sticking with one job for long.
According to my ex-husband, my life is a mess.
Then, he divorced me.
I'm trying to gain custody of my daughter, and I'm fighting for it. A prerequisite for winning custody is having a solid financial base.
This is why I'm hunting for treasure, I need the money."
Walker said, "Generally, in the case of divorce, mothers have a higher chance of gaining custody."
"Er... I've made some mistakes before... In many people's eyes, I'm not a good mother.
I've recognized my errors and have been striving to get my daughter back.
She is very important to me, and I am willing to change for her."
Walker said, "Keep it up, as long as you move in the right direction, things will get better."
"Thank you, you're the nicest judge I've ever met."
Luke laughed, "That's an illusion, you should see Judge Walker in court."
"come on, there are no judges or police here, now we are all the same—Treasure Hunters.
Let's have a toast together, after this drink I need to sleep, I'm exhausted.
We have to continue the treasure hunt tomorrow."
The sun rose in the east, the weather was clear, and the air was fresh.
After getting up and having a quick breakfast, Luke and the others drove to Bear Lake to search for the treasure.
Today, their main focus was on the lakebed of Bear Lake.
Given the difficulty of searching the lakebed, they all suited up with additional gear.
Since the dive was spontaneous, their equipment was limited.
Luke had a diving mask, Walker had a waterproof flashlight, and Reeves had a kayak.
Their makeshift gear was barely adequate for the task, but perhaps, this was the so-called strength in numbers.
They first circled around Bear Lake to identify the probable range of the treasure.
Then, they took turns diving to search the lakebed, all three of them could swim, but Walker and Reeves were not skilled at free diving, their breath-holding capabilities were far less.
Luke could hold his breath for three minutes in the lake, while the best either of them could manage was just over a minute, and the dive duration diminished with increased dives.
This resulted in the trio's low efficiency in their lakebed search.
Nearing noon, the three still had not located the treasure.
Due to excessive energy exertion, all three were tired and hungry. They decided to remember the rough position, marked it on the lakebed, and then went ashore to eat and rest.
Lunch was simple: rye bread, canned beef, pickles, and coffee.
After eating, they exchanged thoughts on their findings while searching the lakebed.
Walker said, "I'm too tired, we must reduce the number of dives this afternoon; otherwise, I might meet God before we find the treasure."
Reeves said, "I'm very tired, but we must persevere. If we all stop diving, the treasure won't float up by itself."
Walker suggested, "We underestimated the difficulty of searching the lakebed. We should buy some professional diving gear, a wetsuit and oxygen tanks. With these two items, searching the lakebed would be much easier."
Reeves shook her head, "We've already searched most of it, we can finish this afternoon, so there's no need to spend that unnecessary money.
I can't afford new equipment right now.
If you go to buy new gear and make a round trip, we might have already found the treasure by then."
If Walker had suggested buying diving gear from the start, Luke would have supported it.
But just like Reeves said, now that half the lakebed search was done, the remaining half just needed to be systematically completed, he also felt it wasn't necessary anymore.
Moreover, through repeated diving, he had also gleaned some experience in free diving, having used up a Diving Card, his diving skills had also significantly improved.