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“Did the sheriff not tell you? I found the manuscript she was co-writing with Abigail and Jacob. You were right to distrust them. They’ve each kept secrets within secrets. Plotted everything out.” He shuddered. “It’s horrifying.”
“Yes. Learning anyone is capable of anything is always tough.” Secrets within secrets.
The phrasing echoed inside her head again and again until a light bulb switched on. Jane stopped short with a gasp. “I just thought of something else I must do.” Heart thumping, she released the cart and grabbed hold of Beau, intending to speed away.
“Wait,” Christopher said, stopping her. “Did you know teeth are the only part of the human body that can’t heal itself? It’s because they’re coated in enamel, which isn’t a living tissue.”
“I didn’t, but I do now. Bye, Christopher.” With a little wave, Jane turned on her heel, finally leading Beau away. “Guide me back to the Treasure Room while I text Conrad.”
“What’s going on?” Beau asked.
“I think I know where Lucy is.” She whipped out her phone and fired off a text to her fiancé.
Jane: Is the Treasure Room cleared for visitors? Either way, meet me there. And hurry! My brilliance will blow your mind.
Agent Spice: Since it’s clear your magnificent brain has stumbled upon something significant, I will be there in five minutes.
She and Beau reached the destination first, but they didn’t have to wait long. Conrad arrived and shifted the crime scene tape to allow them through the door.
“What are we looking for?” the lawman asked.
“You’ll see.” Jane went straight to the secret room and scanned the space. “Move the table from the rug.” She pointed to the round, solid oak antique atop a square of hand stitched wool with a floral design.
The boys obeyed without question, careful of any markers the police had left behind. Biceps strained, and she fanned her cheeks.
“I should ask you guys to move the furnishings in the cottage because wow. This is the show of a lifetime.”
Both snorted, though their timbres were quite different.
“Now move the rug,” she instructed.
They tried and failed. Frowning, Conrad looked things over. “There’s a hook that connects it to the wood.”
“That’s not normal,” Beau stated, freeing the rug from the hindrance, allowing them to move the fabric without problem.
Well, the hook made total sense if she was right. Jane examined the wood floor and clapped. A faint grouping of lines. She rushed over to feel for some sort of latch—yes! She lifted a bundle of slats, revealing a doorway to a well-lit set of steps.
“A secret room inside a secret room,” she boasted, all ta da.
“How did I not think to look for this?” A frowning Conrad unsheathed his weapon. “I should punch myself.”
A scowling Beau eased Jane backward, saying, “You aren’t the only one.”
The two descended first, and she followed, entering a sprawling underground chamber complete with living space, a comfortable-looking bed and efficient kitchenette.
A woman sat on a pillow-covered couch, headphones on her ears, jamming out as she read over a stack of papers. She didn’t appear to be crunching numbers for tax season.
Noticing her audience, she jumped to her feet with a gasp, knocking over a metal mid-century lamp. The headphones tumbled to the floor. Clad in leggings, oversized sweatshirt and cozy slippers, their “hostess” obviously planned to be here for the long haul.
“Stay where you are and put your hands in the air,” Conrad commanded.
Jane smiled and waved with her fingers. “Hello, Lucy.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Add as many characters as you can name. The chorus of dozens of voices is music to the eyes.
Y’all Write Now–Advice for New Writers
