This book is the second of the Gatlin Mansion Series written by Sandra Waggoner. It is set in the Dirty 30's, in the state of Louisiana. Somewhere along the river, Confederate Treasure is stashed. Pipeline workers have been brought in to burry pipeline. They are digging in an area too close to where the treasure is rumored to be hidden.
The villains who are searching for the treasure are fearful that the pipeline workers will stumble onto 'their' treasure. The treasure will go to 'finders keepers' because if they find the stash, they will keep it for themselves. They will seal their lips and divide the treasure among themselves. The villain's thought is to do away with the pipeline workers. First, they try scaring the workers, but the intense need for jobs outweighs the fear of the workers.
Finally, the villains murder a pipeline worker. Fear runs through the camp, and a handful of workers quit, but most cling to the job.
When Clay's dad disappears, and Bee Poppy's Papa is murdered, they join in the search for Who, Why, What, When, and where.