Page 151 of Hidden Tide

“The small blue one with brass corners.”

Thomas crosses the room.

“Did James give you the key?”

Hazel nods. “It’s on my key ring.”

“No one can open that trunk without destroying it.”

“That’s good,” I say.

“No.” Thomas’s face fills with fear. “James rebuilt that trunk after Daniel died. He added a false bottom.”

Hazel’s breathing quickens.

“What did he put in it?”

“I don’t know.”

Keating’s radio crackles.

“Commander, San Francisco police have arrived at Hazel Sinclair’s apartment. The front door is locked. No visible signs of forced entry.”

Marquez takes the radio.

“Have them wait for building management. No one enters alone.”

A second voice interrupts.

“Dispatch, we have movement inside the apartment.”

“Where?” Marquez demands.

“Rear window.”

The feed on Hazel’s phone flickers.

For one second, her bedroom camera comes online.

A figure dressed in black stands beside the open steamer trunk.

The music box is in his hands.

He turns toward the camera.

Simon Vail smiles at us.

Then he raises Grandpa’s music box and smashes it against the floor.

16

CALLE

“When an enemy wants you to watch his hands, look at what he has already placed behind your back.”

—James Sinclair

The music box strikes the hardwood floor.