Page 167 of Rags's Awakening
Casey hurried to the security panel and deactivated the alarm before heading to the door. “I forgot you were coming by tonight,” she said, flinging it open.
“I stopped by your office first, but everything was locked up,” he said as he stepped inside.
“Everyone left early because of the snow.” She took his wet jacket and hung it in the hall closet. “You didn’t have to come out in this weather, but I’m glad you did. I can’t wait to dive into them.”
He placed the box on the table. “They’re quite a find. A big coup for the museum.”
“I’m surprised Amelia’s letting me borrow them.”
“She doesn’t know.”
“Devin.” Casey shook her head.
“It’s okay. I made copies of most of the letters. There’re only a couple originals in there, and I know you respect history enough not to do anything stupid to damage them.”
She smiled. “You’re the only person I know who loves history as much as I do. And you’re the best at finding books and resources to feed my addiction, which for the past year has been the Old West.”
“When I was a kid, I used to pretend I had a time machine and could transport myself to whatever century fascinated me at the moment. My favorite was the Mesozoic Era. I was obsessed with dinosaurs. But I also spent a lot of time valiantly fighting as a knight of the round table.” He sat down on the couch. “What was your favorite period when you were growing up?”
“The library was my refuge. I got obsessed with the Roman Empire.” She laughed. “I think I read every book they had on Pompeii, Julius Ceasar, and Nero. Then I switched gears to the Victorian era. I guess I was all over the place.”
“For most of my elementary school, I was the nerd, so history and adventure books gave me a better world.”
“Same for me. I had a challenging childhood.” Casey glanced toward the kitchen. “I was just about to make tea. Want some?”
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
“When the doorbell rang, I thought it was Curtis,” she said over her shoulder as she walked into the kitchen.
“Curtis?”
“Raven’s husband.”
“Right. Why’d you think that?”
“He texted me earlier saying he was coming over. He said he had some books for me.” Casey leaned against the counter while the kettle heated.
“Why couldn’t Raven give them to you? You two work together,” Devin asked.
“My thoughts exactly. Anyway, I told him not to come over. I said I’d get them from her.”
“Now that fits,” he said.
“What fits?”
“I thought I saw him parked on the street near your house.”
A tingle of unease slid up her spine. “Curtis was here?”
“He was sitting in his car father down the street, facing your house. You probably wouldn’t have noticed him.”
“What was he doing?” Casey asked.
Devin shrugged. “Just sitting there. I didn’t think much of it until now.”
“He’s such a weirdo,” she muttered while pulling two mugs from the cupboard.
“He’s a bit strange. I think he acts that way on purpose, which, I suppose, is strange.” He laughed. “Went into his store once to buy some candles.”
