Page 52 of Threads of Kindness
Gordon snapped his fingers. “If Maggie and John will permit me, I’d like to go through that filing cabinet in Rosemont’s attic—the one I mentioned on New Year’s Day.”
“And I’ll poke around the attic at the Olsson House,” Judy said. “There are stacks of old newspapers up there I haven’t touched.”
“That’s a lot of work,” Anita said. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Yes,” Sunday, Gordon, and Judy replied in unison.
“There’s nothing better than a historical mystery,” Judy said, grinning, “especially when we’ve got connections to people from the past.”
“You are the best,” Anita said, beaming. “Who knew this place would bring its own mystery to my project? Perhaps I should rename this place the Westbury Sewing Machine and Moonshine Museum!”
CHAPTER 25
Alistair
I was dozing in the library with Roman, Eve, and the three cats. Maggie and John had gone out early, and the six of us had settled in together to await their return.
Upon their arrival home after dark, John typically joins our library gathering. He turns on the TV, stretches out on the sofa, and tunes into a game. It doesn’t matter which—he follows all sports. Maggie usually heads to their bedroom to change out of her work clothes before joining him. He then switches the channel to a drama they both enjoy, and we spend a pleasant evening before going to bed.
I knew the moment they walked through the kitchen door that tonight would be different. I heard the rapid pace of their conversation from the library as they headed to the stairs.
I stirred myself and floated after them. Instead of turning toward their bedroom, they headed to the stairway leading to my attic.
I came to full attention. This was definitely out of the ordinary.
I zoomed to catch up with them as they reached my attic and turned on the naked overhead bulb.
“Wait there,” John told her. “I’ll pull that filing cabinet out. It’s dusty and you’ll get your clothes dirty.”
Maggie hovered at the top of the steps.
John crossed to the filing cabinet under the eaves. He put his shoulder against the front and leaned into it, grabbing it from behind and giving it a mighty shove to the right. He repeated the process two more times, then stood back, brushing dust from his hands and trousers.
“There,” he called to Maggie. “Now Gordon can easily open the drawers all the way.”
“Thank you,” Maggie said. “He plans to be here first thing in the morning, before I leave for the office. He’s eager to find information about the bootlegger who operated out of Anita’s building.”
This news sent me flying upward, and I smacked my head on an overhead beam. Maggie and John didn’t hear me cry out in pain.
I brought myself back down to a safe height. The prospect of having that nice Gordon Mortimer in my attic for a day made my spirits soar. With any luck, I’d find what he was looking for before he arrived in the morning. I’d dog ear pages or place papers askew to draw attention to them. I liked all of Maggie and John’s friends, but I had a special fondness for Anita and Gordon. They appreciated old things. If I could help them, it would be a night well spent.
CHAPTER 26
Josh and Sunday stepped onto the sidewalk outside of Laura’s Bakery. He leaned in to kiss the corner of her mouth.
“You had a smudge of icing on your lip,” he said.
She wiped the area with her fingers. “Did you get it all?” she asked.
“Sure did,” he said. “Your kisses are always delicious, but this one was even more so.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s corny—even coming from you.”
He took her hand, and they walked toward his car.
“Do you think we made a wise choice?” she asked.
“About what?”
