Page 149 of Hidden Tide
“What about the back plate?”
Willow’s eyes widen.
“It was scratched.”
“How long?”
“I noticed it after Elliot came into my kitchen.”
He didn’t only ask where she kept it.
He may have opened it before he left.
“Could he have removed the frame from Willow’s prism?” I ask.
Marquez returns in time to hear me.
“The X-ray showed the blue glass. We weren’t looking for a strip of film sealed along the groove.”
“Then it may already be gone.”
“Or it’s still there.”
“Test it,” Willow says. “Now.”
Marquez makes the call.
The evidence team carries Willow’s pocket watch into the maintenance room while we watch remotely.
The curved glass is removed beneath a magnifying camera.
The technician examines the groove along the back.
Empty.
No film.
Willow’s frame is gone.
“Elliot took it,” Storm says.
“Or someone else did,” Marquez replies.
“That leaves three,” Hazel whispers. “My music box, Storm’s telescope and Ivy’s real camera.”
“My telescope is aboard Sea Whisper,” Storm says.
“Under guard,” Keating reminds her.
“Then Hazel’s music box is at the beach house.”
Marquez reaches for her phone.
Hazel shakes her head.
“No, it isn’t.”
We look at her.
