Looking Through Darkness Read Online Free Page A

“I stored some stuff in one of their smaller units before I moved in with you. They’re cheap. You provide your own key and lock.”
    Leigh Ann checked the metal box again. Only one thing remained. “There’s this little key with the number zero fifty-five on it. It doesn’t match the number of the compartment he rented, but maybe that’s it.”
    â€œI don’t think so. Padlock keys usually have the name of the lock brand on them. It’s more likely a desk drawer key, or one to a box like that one. The storage place he used recommends a sturdy lock, and the facility itself doesn’t keep a duplicate of the key—to protect the client, they say.”
    Leigh Ann sifted through more of the papers. “Here’s a receipt for a big padlock, but the key’s not here.”
    â€œDo you suppose that Kurt hid the money he ripped off in that storage locker?” Rachel asked.
    â€œWho knows? If he spent it, all I can tell you is that it wasn’t on me.”
    â€œYou need to go check out that place as soon as possible,” Rachel said.
    â€œI’ve got to find the padlock key first,” Leigh Ann said, looking around the room slowly.
    â€œHe bought a Master lock,” Rachel said, looking at the receipt. “That comes with a very distinctive key.”
    Leigh Ann looked through the top drawer. “Not here.”
    â€œSo what happened to it?”
    â€œI don’t know, but since Kurt’s dead, maybe I can get the storage company to open up his locker for me. I could show them the rental agreement and his death certificate.”
    â€œThe rental agreement has expired,” Rachel said, looking more closely at the receipt, “and I’m not sure how much grace time they give a renter. If they auctioned off the stuff inside, you can kiss that money good-bye. Someone’s bound to have found it already.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be mine to keep, anyway, but it won’t hurt to follow up on this.”
    â€œIf no one’s come after the money, why not just keep it?” Rachel smiled and shrugged. “You could sure use a lump sum like that.”
    â€œRachel, that money’s not mine. Had it belonged to Kurt, I would cheerfully take it and spend every dime, but it belongs to the company. Anything I find has to go back to his partners.”
    â€œAt least negotiate a finder’s fee, Leigh Ann! If they haven’t come to you for that money in all this time, they either don’t know the money’s gone or they wrote it off as a loss.”
    â€œYou’ve just raised an interesting point. By now, they have to know about the missing money, and fifty thousand dollars isn’t exactly chump change. Yet they haven’t said a word to me about that. Something doesn’t add up right.”
    â€œYou said they asked about Frank Jones. That means they knew something was going on.”
    She nodded. “They wanted to keep this from me. The question is why?”
    â€œWhat are you going to do?”
    â€œI’m going to hold on to that gun, for starters,” she said, glancing at the .38. “I’m also going back up to the attic and see what else is up there.”
    â€œNo, Leigh Ann, let it be. What if Kurt’s got something else booby-trapped?”
    Leigh Ann shook her head. “Nothing else is covered up, but if I see any strings, wires, or fishing line, I’ll use my remote control—the broom—or what’s left of it.”
    â€œAt least we know one thing,” Rachel said. “That poor squirrel’s gonna haul his nuts out of there.”
    â€œAfter everything’s that happened, that’s the best you’ve got?” Leigh Ann said, then laughed.
    As Rachel went back out into the hall, Leigh Ann stared at the now empty metal box for a moment longer. Instinct told her that her problems were only just beginning.

 
    â€” TWO —
    Leigh Ann arrived at