Cluttered Attic Secrets (13 page)

“Leslie!” Tina lowered her gun.

“Tina? Where are we?” Leslie’s eyes were huge, pupils dilated.

Tina wanted to hug her, but didn’t dare with the gun in her hand. Then she wondered if anyone else was up here. “Are you alone?”

“I don’t know.” Leslie frowned. “Why do you have your gun?”

Brandon pushed past Tina to hug his sister. “Are you all right?”

“Brandon.” Leslie fell into his arms and began to sob.

“Don’t cry. Everything’s okay now.” He patted her back.

Leslie pulled away, her expression frantic. “Where are we? How did you get here?” She looked around fearfully. “Are we alone?”

“Good question,” Tina said. “Let me by. I’m going to check the rest of the place out.”

She walked past them as Brandon led Leslie to the nearest bed and pulled her down to sit next to him. Tina went to the end of the space, checked out the bathroom, then came back to stand in front of Leslie and Brandon, the hand holding her gun lowered to her side. “No one else is here.” She stopped herself from telling Leslie they were locked in. Push came to shove, she could shoot out the lock on the door. And Lisbeth was supposed to arrive any minute.

That reminded her. “Leslie, I know you have a lot of questions, but I need to call people to let them know you’re okay. Are you okay??”

“I think so. My mind seems fuzzy.”

“What do you remember?” Brandon asked.

Tina pulled out her cell phone and called the Youngs house. Mr. Young answered on the first ring. Quickly, Tina said, “We found Leslie. She’s fine. We’re at her house.”

“Thank God. I’ll be right there.”

Before Tina could say anything else, he hung up. She took the phone away from her ear and looked at Leslie. “You dad’s coming over.” Tina wondered what he’d do when he found out he couldn’t get into the space. She was still afraid to tell Leslie they were locked in. To distract herself, she called Lisbeth. Who also said she was on her way. Tina walked to the back of the space, hoping Leslie wouldn’t hear her. “We’re locked in.”

“What? What do you mean? Where?”

“In the secret space. Brandon and I came up to check it out and found her. She looked drugged and hasn’t told us yet what happened to her. She doesn’t even know where she is.”

Lisbeth didn’t say anything for a few moments. “I’ll be there shortly. Hang tight.”

“Nothing else we can do.” They hung up and Tina walked to the front area. “Leslie, what happened?”

“I don’t know, exactly. I dozed off, and suddenly someone was in Brandon’s condo. They gave me a shot in my arm, right through my shirt. For some reason, that surprised me more than anything.” Leslie pointed to the small hole on her pale yellow t-shirt. “The next thing I know, I woke up on a bed back there.” She pointed toward the rear. “And you were here. Brandon says this is a secret room in my own house.” Leslie shook her head. “I can’t believe this was here the whole time. How could Aunt Margaret not know?”

“Maybe she did know.” Brandon squeezed his sister’s shoulder.

At that, Leslie looked more dazed than she had before. “Why wouldn’t she tell me? Or at least leave some information with her lawyer? I’m so confused.”

“Don’t feel bad,” Tina leaned against the wall, fighting exhaustion she’d been unaware of. “We’re all pretty confused, and just guessing about what all this was for.”

Leslie glanced around, her eyes lingering on the armoire. “What are your guesses?”

Before she could answer, Tina’s cell chimed. “Mr. Hall.” At Leslie’s puzzled look, she explained. “The architect who helped us find this space.”

“Oh, yes.” Lesley leaned against Brandon and closed her eyes. “What am I going to do?”

Mr. Hall’s cheerful voice sounded in Tina’s ear. “Something more I can help you with, Ms. Shaw?”

Tina looked toward the staircase. “You can come get us out of the secret room. It appears we’re locked in.” Tina was surprised she wasn’t more worried about that. She saw Leslie’s stricken face and could have kicked herself for not moving down to the end of the area before telling Mr. Hall about their predicament.

“What? How?”

“Not sure if it closed on its own or had help.”

“Humph. You called the police?”

“Yes, they’re on the way, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to find the sweet spot.”

“Right. I’ll be there in less than ten minutes. Sit tight.”

“We will. Except for shooting out the lock, there’s not much else we can do.”

“Don’t do that!” Mr. Hall sounded alarmed. “That might make it impossible to get back in again, or nearly impossible without a lot equipment and damage.”

“Oh, right.” Tina ended the call.

“We’re locked in?” Leslie’s voice was so faint, Tina could barely hear her.

“It’s okay. Someone will get us out soon. Let’s see, Lisbeth, your dad and Mr. Hall are on the way. Maybe I should call Hank and we can have a party.”

Leslie’s ghost of a smile made Tina feel a little better. But she wondered what was keeping Lisbeth.

Suddenly, voices filled the air. The three of them looked around in astonishment. “Who is that?” Leslie whispered, eyes wide.

“Sounds like Lisbeth and Hank.” Tina pushed herself away from the wall and looked around the room. “But how come we’re hearing them so clearly? I just heard what I think is the front door close before they started to talk. It sounds as if they’re still downstairs.”

“The house must be wired. State of the art, too.” Brandon stood up and began searching for evidence of wiring. “No way this could have been done without Aunt Margaret’s knowledge. But I can’t find anything. Odd.”

They heard Hank and Lisbeth climbing the stairs, her heels tapping. Hank didn’t make a sound. Tina realized he never did. “You’re sure they’re all okay?” Hank asked.

“Tina didn’t sound particularly stressed.”

Tina was glad to hear that.

They must have come into the closet. “Tina?” Hank shouted. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes. Can you hear me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been able to hear you and Lisbeth since you entered the house. Apparently the place is wired.”

“Incredible,” she heard him mutter. “I’m looking for the catch, but it’s hard to find.”

“Mr. Hall is on his way. I’m sure he’ll remember where it is.”

“That’s good,” Lisbeth said. “But I hope we can find it before he arrives. Is Ms. Young doing okay?”

Tina looked at Leslie. She still slumped against her brother, pale with dark circles under her eyes. “She’s holding her own. But she needs to see a doctor. The people who brought her here gave her a shot in the arm, and she doesn’t remember anything after that until she woke up up here.”

“I’m calling the EMTs.”

“Don’t!” Leslie shouted. “I’m okay, just sleepy.”

“You’re not injured anywhere?” Lisbeth asked. “Do you have a headache?”

Leslie sighed. “A very slight one. I’ll be fine.”

“You still need medical attention. If you promise to go to the hospital when we get you out, I won’t call for assistance.”

Leslie rolled her eyes. “I promise.”

The front door opened. At least Tina thought that was what she heard. Mr. Young’s voice sounded as if he was right next to her. “Leslie? Brandon? Where are you?”

“Come up to Leslie’s bedroom,” Brandon answered.

Someone else spoke to Mr. Young. Tina made out that it was Mr. Hall. The two men said hello and asked each other how they were doing. Tina realized they must be acquainted. Then the sound of footsteps on the stairs. More greetings.

Hank spoke next. “Mr. Hall. Glad you’re here. I’m afraid I’m having no luck finding the secret catch to open the door.”

Feet shuffled, then Tina hear the sound of the lock turning. She smiled at Leslie. “We’re free now.”

Leslie looked around again. “What’s in that cabinet?” She pointed to the armoire.

“Some clothing. We’ll talk about all this after you see a doctor.”

Leslie frowned. “Don’t need one.”

Brandon helped her to her feet. “You were abducted. The police need a report on your injuries.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Tina followed Leslie and Brandon downstairs. The four people in the closet backed out, and then the seven of them stood in Leslie’s bedroom. Tina was glad she wasn’t claustrophobic.

Mr. Young grabbed Leslie and gave her a bear hug. Then he took her arms and moved her back so he could look at her face. “You all right? You’re sure?”

Tears flowed down Leslie’s face. “I’m fine. They didn’t really hurt me. I’m okay. Really.” She swiped at her tears. Tina grabbed some tissues from the nightstand. From the same box Brandon was trying to pick up when he was attacked.

Tina saw Mr. Hall staring at the gun she still head by her side. “You carry that everywhere?”

Tina gave a shaky laugh. “Hank insists I have it with me all the time. You may have read in the paper about a couple of times when I needed it. Don’t worry, I’m well-trained. I would like to put it away, though. My purse is downstairs.”

“Let’s all go down.” Lisbeth waved her hand toward the doorway. “But first, Mr. Hall, can you suggest a way we can mark the spot where the latch is located?”

“A white bull’s-eye?” Hank suggested.

“That would work.” Mr. Hall drew a drafting pen from his pocket. “But this should do.” He walked into the closet. In less than a minute he came back into the bedroom. “A bit dark, but still noticeable.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hall.” Lisbeth led the way downstairs.

Tina was happy to put the gun away in her purse. She noticed that Mr. Hall watched her, his expression thoughtful.

“Ms. Young,” Lisbeth said, “please sit down for a moment and tell me exactly what happened to you. Then I want you to go to the hospital to get checked over.”

Leslie sank into a chair and everyone else found a place to sit.

“Can you describe the people who took you?” Lisbeth asked.

Leslie’s brow puckered. “Now I think about it, one was medium height and could have been a woman. The one who gave me a shot. They both wore scarfs over the bottom part of their faces. Actually both of them may have been women. They wore jeans and tees. Gray hoodies... Black boots. They didn’t say a word. They came in. One had a gun. I was sitting in a chair, and didn’t even get to stand up before they were next to me, and one put her hand over my mouth and the other gave me a shot in the arm.” Leslie pointed to the spot. “I didn’t hear them say anything. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a strange place, and Brandon and Tina were there.”

“Smooth,” Lisbeth said. “You didn’t hear the lock turn in Mr. Young’s door?”

Leslie looked off into space. “No, I didn’t hear anyone at the door. Consciously, anyway. Something, some sense, made me look up, and they were right there.”

Tina could think of no motive for the kidnapping. Brandon’s phone chirped, and he looked at the screen, frowned. “It says you’re calling me.” He looked at Leslie.

She felt in her pocket. “My cell’s gone.”

Brandon said hello. Then he held the phone out to Leslie. “He wants to talk to you.”

Looking shocked, Leslie held out her hand. She whispered hello. Listened a few moments, then said, “What? Yes.”

Tina realized she was holding her breath and let it out.

“Are you crazy?” Leslie straightened up in her chair, frowning. She listened, then slumped back. “Yes. I know. How soon?”

The other person said something, and then Leslie took the phone away from her ear and stared at it. No one said anything. Finally, Leslie pushed end and handed Brandon his phone. “That was one of the kidnappers. I mean he said he was. He pointed out how easy it had been to take me and bring me to the house. They want me to move out and stay away for at least a month. Maybe longer.”

Tina looked around at shocked faces and assumed hers looked about the same. “Why?”

Leslie shook her head. “He didn’t say.”

“You keep saying ‘he.’” Lisbeth said. “Are you sure it was a man?”

“The voice sounded masculine to me. Brandon?”

“Yes, I immediately thought it was a man.”

“Okay. Can you repeat what he said, pretty much word for word?”

“It was weird. He asked if I was okay. Then he apologized for what they did, but said they needed to make a point. He said they needed me to stay out of the house for a month, at least. And I have to get out by tomorrow.”

“This is crazy,” Tina said. “Who are these people?” She looked at Lisbeth. “You have any idea?”

Lisbeth did not look happy. “Unfortunately, no.”

Tina looked at Hank next. “What about you? Any thoughts?”

Hank looked more uncomfortable than Lisbeth did, which made Tina uneasier than she already felt. “I have some ideas, but nothing I can share yet.”

Tina felt angry heat rising to her face. “Why the hell not, Hank? What harm would it do to tell us anything you know?”

Hank wouldn’t look at her. He stood up and walked over to Leslie. “I’m glad you’re okay. I have to go now. Take care of yourself.”

Leslie looked as stunned as Tina felt when Hank left. They both turned to Lisbeth. “Do you know what he’s hiding?” Tina demanded.

Lisbeth shifted in her chair. “Nothing I can talk about right now, either.” She stood up. “Ms. Young, we really need to get you checked. Maybe Ms. Shaw can drive you to the emergency room. I’ll meet you there.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Brandon asked as Lisbeth left. “I can go with you, too.”

“No, Brandon, I’ll be fine. You probably need to get back to work. This has taken enough of your time.” She stood up and looked at her father. “You go home and tell Mom what’s going on. I’m be there as soon as I can.” She tried to smile. “I assume you and Mom won’t charge me too much rent if I move back in.”

Mr. Young shook his head and hugged her. “You know you can come home anytime.”

“Thanks, Dad. Mr. Hall, thanks for getting us out of the secret room.”

“My pleasure. I think you should know, I suspect there may be more secret spaces in this house. My advice is to leave as soon as you can reasonably do so until this is all cleared up.”

“I know that’s good advice. My only problem is I don’t know if it ever can be cleared up. Then what will I do?”

Leslie’s father and Brandon looked stricken. Tina swallowed back her tears.

“Don’t dwell on that idea,” Mr. Hall patted her shoulder. “I’m sure the police will find out what this is all about. Or Hank Silver will.”

Tina wondered how much Mr. Hall knew about Hank and his position with the police department. Who was the person who gave the anonymous donation so Hank could work as a consultant? It made sense that some of the most prominent men in Newport might know who it was. For all she knew, it could be Mr. Hall himself. The speculation must have shown on her face because Mr. Hall raised an eyebrow and smiled at her.

“Tina,” Mr. Young said, “please take care of Leslie for me.” He turned to his daughter. “I expect you home as soon as you’re done at the hospital.”

Leslie smiled. “Yes, Dad.”

“I’ll be sure she gets there,” Tina assured him.

They left the living room, and Leslie got her first view of the library. She gasped. “What happened to my office?”

Everyone looked at Tina to explain. She suppressed a sigh. “We found it that way. The forensics team has gone over it. Hopefully they’ll be able to tell us.” But she doubted it. She turned to Lisbeth. “How did someone get past that team and/or the guard to get Leslie upstairs?”

“Good question.” Lisbeth looked as baffled as Tina felt. “I think Mr. Hall is right. I suspect there’s other secrets in this old house.”

Tina nodded. Leslie looked shell-shocked, so Tina took her arm as they walked onto the front porch, Leslie locked the door. “I don’t know why I should bother.”

Tina didn’t point out that other people besides the kidnappers might decide to rob the house. No one else said anything, either, until they reached their cars, where they called good-bye to each other. Tina noticed Peter Collier trimming a hedge in his front yard that didn’t seem to need any trimming. She stared at him a moment, then shrugged. He was probably just being nosey because of all the police activity at Leslie’s house.

Leslie sighed after she buckled herself in. “A ghost would have been less trouble, don’t you think?”

Tina laughed as she started the engine. “Probably. You sure you’re all right?”

“I’ll be fine. After all the only scary parts were when they showed up and when I woke up in the secret room. And you were right there.”

“There’s that to be thankful for. I mean that they didn’t hurt you physically, except for the shot. Does the spot hurt?”

“Not enough to complain about. I don’t see why I need an examination. All moving parts more properly, and I’m not in any pain.”

Tina cleared her throat. “I think they need to document what happened. Look at the place where they gave you the shot, look for bruises, and maybe take some blood to see if they can find out what drug they used.”

“Oh. How do you know about all that?”

“I don’t know. Reading? Watching TV? Learned about it somewhere.”

Leslie grinned. “You and Hank make a good pair. Have guns, solve crimes.”

Tina frowned. “Not so sure about that anymore, my friend. Hank’s secretiveness is really getting to me.”

“I forgot. Sorry.”

“You’re entitled to have forgotten.” Tina pulled into the hospital parking lot. “You know, I’m not sure where to take you. I guess the emergency room.”

When they got out of the car, Tina saw Lisbeth entering the door with an officer holding a professional-looking camera. “Oh.”  She pointed out the man to Leslie. “You’re going to be a star. I bet he’s going to take pictures of the place where you got shot in the arm.”

Leslie laughed. “You’re a shot in the arm yourself, Tina. You always make me feel better.”

Tina hugged her. “That’s what friends are for.”

As they walked to the door, Tina thought she saw the same man she’d noticed before in D’Angelo’s parking lot lingering beside his car. She stared at him, but he didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her or Leslie, and she couldn’t be sure he was the same person.

Leslie and Tina entered the lobby. Lisbeth greeted them and introduced the photographer. When the exam was finished and the photographs taken, Tina drove Leslie to her parents’ house. “Brandon and I were talking about going through things in the attic looking for more information about what the secret room was used for. He thinks your Aunt Margaret may have left something about it there. Would you like us, maybe Brandon, Hank, and me, to sift through things up there before your deadline?”

“That’s a great idea. I really would appreciate that. I just realized, I need to get my car from Brandon’s place.”

“Don’t worry about that tonight. Get some rest. I’ll get in touch with Hank.” Tina swallowed hard. Just saying his name brought up all kinds of emotions. “And Brandon. You have one day to clear out, right? According to the man on the phone.”

“Yes. Oh, I’ll have to buy a new phone.”

Leslie looked as if she was about to cry. Tina reached out to hug her. “One step at a time. We’ll figure this out.” She wondered if Leslie would want to keep living in the house when this was all over.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you. And Brandon and Hank.” Leslie pulled away from Tina and got out of the car. “Call me if you find out anything. On the house phone.” She waved at Tina.

On the way home, Tina realized she hadn’t eaten all day, and she was famished. Also exhausted.

She entered a dark, silent kitchen and rummaged around in the refrigerator. She found some sliced ham and cheese and made a sandwich. After she sat down to eat, she called Brandon, and they agreed to meet at Leslie’s the next morning at seven-thirty to search the attic.

Next she called Hank, planning ahead of time what she was going to say.

He answered on the first ring. “Doll. Still mad at me?”

“Yes.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

He didn’t say anything for what seemed like forever. “I’ll tell you all I can as soon as I can.”

“I’m sure.” She bit viciously into the sandwich again.

Hank sighed loudly. She knew he did it on purpose so she could hear him. “You need to learn to trust people who can’t tell you everything the minute you want to know something.”

Oh, so it was her fault. “That’s worked so well in the past, Hank.” She hoped the sarcasm came through loud and clear.

Another sigh, not quite as loud. “There’s nothing I can do about any of this right now. I’m guessing you called for a reason.”

Tina put the sandwich down and took a sip of root beer. Her stomach seemed to want to reject the food. “Yes, I called for a reason. Brandon and I talked about searching the attic some more to see if Aunt Margaret left any papers about the secret room and what it is being used for. I thought you might want to join us. Leslie has one day to clear out, so we need to work fast. We’re going to start tomorrow morning at seven-thirty.”

“Good idea. I’ll meet you there tomorrow.”

“*Okay.” She hung up without saying good-bye.