Page 65 of Crosshairs

“I explained why you needed your truck, and he’ll order your windshield Monday and install it Tuesday.” She nodded her approval, and he added, “I noticed Cora’s station wagon in the garage last night. Maybe you could use it.”

“Good thinking. I’ll ask when we go by and check on her.” She looked at her watch and groaned. “How did it get to be nine thirty? Let me call Gran and then I’ll grab the diary and we can go.”

Linc cleaned up the kitchen while she made her call and looked up as she reentered the kitchen.

“Gran said Cora wouldn’t mind if I use her car. She has the keys and will give them to me at the hospital. That way I won’t have to rent wheels when you go to work tomorrow at Melrose.”

While Sam had cleared working the investigation with Linc’s supervisor, the ranger subbing for him had a family emergency. “If I could take off, I would, but short of shutting the tours down, I can’t.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Look, I appreciate your help, but this isn’t my first murder investigation and it won’t be my last.”

“I bet it’s the first murder investigation where you’ve become the target,” he said, matching her argumentative tone. His pride stung when she glanced to his side.

“Linc, no offense, but—”

“I don’t need a gun to help protect you.” But he did. They both knew that. “There are other ways I can help.”

He held her unwavering gaze until she dipped her head slightly. “Suit yourself. And when this is over, I want a private tour of Melrose.”

“You got it,” he said. “Are you ready to leave?”

“I haven’t closed the safe, and I need to check my backpack to make sure I have everything I need.”

“I can close the safe,” he said and followed her down the hall. Once he had it shut, he twirled the lock.

“What number is it on?” Ainsley asked.

“Twenty-six,” he said. “Why?”

“Just in case someone breaks in, I want to know if they try to open it.”

Linc frowned. There was something he should remember, but what was it? “You really think someone will try to break in while you’re staying here?”

“I won’t be here all the time. Like now. I don’t believe that carpet got wet by itself.”

He snapped his fingers. “So much has happened, I forgot the water in the basement.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I needed a board when I fixed the broken window and looked around the basement. There was water behind the stairs.”

“You’re kidding. And you’re just now telling me? Show me.”

“Do we have time?”

“We’ll make time. Someone was here Thursday night, I feel it in my bones.”

He flipped the light on at the top of the stairs, then led the way down the steps to the basement. “It was right here,” he said, rounding the corner.

“How much water?”

“A puddle. Like someone had been outside in the rain and stood there a minute. Hiding, maybe?”

Ainsley scanned the room. “But why? There’s nothing here. No door, no anything.”

“Do you think there might be another safe here?” Linc tapped on the wall just as Ainsley’s phone rang again and she answered.

“We’re on our way,” she said and then disconnected. “We’ll check this out later. Right now Cora is asking for us.”

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