Page 29 of Lost Cause
Abby stared at her friend. “Can it wait? We’re just getting to the important questions.”
She glanced over Abby’s shoulder, her concerned focus directed at Victor. “I think you’ll want this information before you finish your questions. And I recommend you and Burke leave Gabe here to keep an eye on Victor.”
Of anything Sam had said, this comment raised Abby’s concern the most. “Let me get Burke.”
“I’ll meet you in the library.” Sam backed away.
Abby went to Burke and leaned close. “Sam needs to see us in the library. Now.”
“What is it?” Victor asked, sitting up higher in his chair. “What’s wrong?”
Abby ignored the questions and looked at Gabe. “I need you to stay here with Victor.”
Gabe gave a subtle nod.
“But I…” Victor let his voice fall off as if he didn’t know what to say. Or maybe he was too afraid to find out the answer to any of his questions.
“Be right back.” Abby hurried through the door, her mind unable to let go of the fact that Sam wouldn’t have asked Gabe to watch Victor if she didn’t suspect the old man of being involved in this theft. So what on earth had she located in the library to give her such a negative impression?
8
Burke had no idea someone as petite as Abby could walk so fast, but he had to race through the foyer to catch up with her. He came alongside her. “Did Sam tell you what she found?”
She shook her head. “She’s being cryptic. Very unlike her.”
His gut tightened. “Then it must be something big and not likely something good.”
“We’ll soon find out.” She swung through the library doorway.
The heavy curtains were open, flooding the space with sunlight, and revealing the room’s true neglected and shabby state, but at least this room had recently been dusted.
Sam stood in the corner, holding the edge of a closed curtain in a gloved hand. She pointed at an open bin containing her supplies. “You’ll want to glove up for this. Put on shoe coverings too.”
After a considerable amount of foot traffic had already gone through this room, Burke didn’t see the point, but he followed directions.
Abby reached the bin before him and handed him a pair of blue booties and large disposable gloves. “Why all the secrecy, Sam?”
“I didn’t want to mention my discovery in front of your homeowner. I think he’s lying to you, or at least withholding information and possible evidence.”
Interest piqued, Burke hurried to slip on the protective coverings. Abby had been right about Sam’s experience and professionalism. Many green forensics techs would’ve raced into the dining room and announced their findings without regard to the impact on the investigation.
Burke followed Abby to Sam’s location, their paper booties whispering over the wood floor.
With a great flourish, Sam drew back the curtain.
Burke had no idea what he should expect, but a blank wall wasn’t even in the realm of his consideration. He stared, taking it in, and thinking he must be missing something. “A wall? You brought us in here to see a wall?”
“Well, the curtain is definitely not hiding a window,” Abby said.
“Then why would they put it here?” Burke eased closer to look for anything that made sense to call them down here.
“I had the same question.” Sam turned to the wall. “And then I found this by accident.” Pressing on a spot where the edge of the open curtain would fall, the wall parted and swung in.
“A door!” Abby’s eyes flashed up to Sam. “A hidden door. How very mysterious.”
“And very appropriate for a place like this.” Sam’s eyes were flooded with excitement. “And it leads to a long corridor. What it holds, I don’t know. I didn’t go in. Figured you’d want to be the first ones in there, but I did shine my flashlight inside long enough to discover I was looking at more than a closet, so I came to get you.”
Abby looked over her shoulder at him. “I can’t imagine Victor doesn’t know this hidden doorway is here.”
