Page 26 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

Not everyone in the town would agree. “Tell that to the dead man under my tree.” She’d talked to Aliyah some about the horrible incident. Talking had been necessary after the story broke on the news.

Aliyah pulled back and studied True with worried eyes. “Hot Santa is working on that case, isn’t he?”

True nodded.

“He’s going to keep you safe.” Not a question.

But, once more, True nodded. He was.

Robert secured the entrance doors. True and Aliyah would leave through the smaller, staff exit at the back, but first, she’d wait for Jake to get changed out of his Santa suit. She’d changed out of her yoga pants and sweatshirt earlier—a fast run to a department store with Jake had yielded a festive green dress and new heels for the holiday event. But she’d left her purse and phone in her office. She’d need to grab those items before meeting Jake. “I have to hit my office, then I’ll be leaving with Jake.” She pointed at Aliyah. “You have a wonderful night.”

“You, too.” Aliyah backed away and winked. “Something tells me your night might be way better than mine.” A little wince. “Especially since I have to pick up some spy gear.”

Spy gear?

But Aliyah tossed a wave and was gone.

Robert peered beyond the glass doors and out into the night.

The museum seemed so quiet. She definitely needed to hurry and find Jake. After I snag my bag and phone. “Good night, Robert.”

“Night, True.”

She hustled down the hallway, with her heels clicking. Her office was in the back near the Egyptian display. She felt herself tensing as she slipped in front of the double doors that led into the grand exhibit area. This used to be my favorite part of the whole building. I loved that exhibit space. She’d been so proud of it. Now the sight of those closed, double doors made her nervous.

True hurried into her office. She grabbed her purse and phone.

She frowned at the phone’s screen. One missed call. From a number that should not be calling her.

Her ex’s number. What in the world could Richard possibly want?

She shoved the phone into the small bag. She’d had the purse with her when she first went to Jake’s office. It held a few very important necessities—like a small hair brush, lip stick, powder. In other words, her emergency supplies.

She turned out her lights, exited the office, and squared her shoulders as she once more hurried past the double doors that led to the Egyptian display.

Except…one of the doors was ajar.

True frowned. And stopped.

Because that wasn’t right. She’d specifically locked the doors to the Egyptian display area before the museum’s holiday event had started. She hadn’t wanted anyone slipping inside by mistake.

But one door was definitely ajar now.

And that wasn’t good.

The doors were closed when I went into my office. Weren’t they? Had she looked closely enough before? Or had she been too focused on getting past the exhibit because it made her nervous?

She tiptoed toward the double doors. Her fingers pushed against the open door, and it slid open a few more inches. “Hello?” Her head dipped inside.

A faint light glowed from within. Like…a flashlight? No lights should have been on inside that big space.

“This area isn’t open yet,” True explained as she took a few steps into the exhibit hall. Had a child wandered in by mistake? She’d thought that everyone had left, but maybe she’d been mistaken. But I wasn’t wrong about locking the doors. I know I locked them. “Be sure and come back in the new year,” True added quickly. “We’ll be open then.”

Crash.

She jumped. Something had just smashed into the floor. One of the replica vases she’d carefully arranged? The real vases were still in storage and wouldn’t be brought out until after Christmas. True spun around and ran back for the doorway.

But someone grabbed her. A figure lurched from the darkness. And before she could scream, a hand slammed over her mouth.

---