Page 10 of Obsessed in Blood
Devon waited while Ginger passed the card key over the screen. “I appreciate the precautions.” She took a deep breath before opening the door.
His first surprise was the spotless condition of the living space. He hadn’t expected that, considering how messy Ginger seemed to prefer her room. He must have appeared shocked because Ginger smirked at him.
“I woke up this morning to find Cressa making breakfast, and she’d cleaned the entire place.” She dropped her purse on a table and headed down the hall. “Follow me.”
She led them to the bedroom on the right. It had been difficult to find a condo with two master suites, but Lucas had suggested it so the women wouldn’t fuss over who got a room with a bathroom. Ginger would have felt obligated to let Cressa have the larger room, even though she’d be spending the majority of her time at the manor. Devon had agreed it made sense.
“We each have a hidey-hole.” Ginger walked straight to the closet.
“There’s a safe in each of the rooms.”
Lucas laughed. “I remember Cressa saying safes weren’t safe enough for the really important things.”
Ginger’s return laughter echoed from the closet. “So typical for a safecracker.”
Devon shook his head. “What magical place did our thief find?” He expected she’d find a spot under a floorboard and was surprised when Ginger grabbed a footstool and, groaning, shoved the safe that rested on the third shelf six inches to the right. It would have taken some muscle to do that.
The back wall of the closet was covered with strips of cedar planking. It gave the room a pleasant woodsy smell and was meant to keep moths away. Ginger tapped along the wood until she hit a section that sounded hollow. She pulled on a corner and the cedar strip peeled away.
“When did she have that put in?” Devon asked.
“The first week we moved in. She had one put in both of our closets.”
“Smart. Who would think to lookbehindthe safe for the good stuff?” Lucas seemed in awe, and Devon was right there with him.
Never underestimate the mind of a thief.
Ginger brought out a long, slim metal box. He was surprised Cressa wouldn’t require a key, then shook his head when Ginger pulled a necklace out from under her blouse that held several charms. One was a tiny key. She opened the box and peered inside. He held his breath as she smiled, stuck her hand in, and lifted the object up so everyone could see it.
Another key.
“You’re kidding, right?” He wasn’t sure why he asked the question out loud and felt the idiot when Ginger rolled her eyes.
“In the mood to visit a laundromat?”
Twenty minutes later, Devon was closing in on the Hollows, a less reputable neighborhood in Santiga Bay. It was originally the home of the wealthy, but time had taken its toll and the rich had moved out decades ago, leaving behind the houses that once upon a time were considered mansions. “I don’t understand the runaround.”
“It’s not much of a runaround for a paranoid person.” Lucas stared out the window from the backseat. “We’ll probably find another clue at this place.”
Ginger snickered, but her face was gaunt. It had only been hours since the accident, and Cressa’s disappearance was already taking a toll. He’d have Simone set up a rigid schedule of training and regular meals for her. She needed to stay busy because she wasn’t going to find quick closure.
He reached across the middle console and took her hand. “You have to prepare yourself for a long recovery plan. This won’t be fixed in a couple of days. Lorenzo won’t harm her. It’s not the point of his message. He’s hoping to turn her against me. If he’s mesmerizing her, it will take some time before it gets to a point where it will be extremely difficult to reverse.”
Her face paled. He’d gone too far and knew it but hadn’t been able to stop.
“How long?” Her words were nothing more than a whisper.
“Two weeks. You need to be strong for her.”
Quiet descended for barely a minute before she yelled, “Stop here!”
She pointed to a second-rate laundromat. Young men loitered in the parking lot, most likely selling drugs. Across the street, a group of six men leaned against the wall of a mom-and-pop grocery store. They eyed the sedan coolly.
Devon parked in front of the laundromat, and Lucas jumped out to open Ginger’s door.
“Stay with the sedan.” Devon tossed him the keys.
Lucas leaned against the car and stared at the men. They attempted a look of intimidation until Lucas flashed his fangs. The group dispersed.
