Page 26 of Bear In A Bookstore
“Desi, are you in there?”
A light shone through the crack. “Yes. Can you open it?”
This whole thing was insane. Pulling the metal handle with both hands, she jerked the door free. It popped open, dim lights from a cell phone glaring up at her. Desi put his hands on the edges and climbed through. Another man followed and wiped his hands on a white apron.
She’d never been so relieved to see someone in her entire life.
A huge smile crossed the man’s face. “Ahhhh, this is the secret room, isn’t it? There are rumors of Masonic symbols carved into the walls.”
Completely stunned to see them, Kora ran a hand over her face. Relief pumped through her. She doubled over with her hands on her knees to take a minute.
“I only saw bats. A whole group of terrifying bats.”
“Don’t mind me. Mind if I poke around? Ben Rowe. Nice to meet you.”
She gave a halfhearted wave. “Go ahead.”
Desi touched her back lightly. His handsome face etched with concern. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. She really was okay. The past few minutes played out like a horror movie, but somehow, she’d talked herself out of a full-blown anxiety attack and taken charge. That was amazing and completely unexpected. Wow, she was a little proud of herself.
“How did you get in there?” She gestured to the trap door.
“There’s a tunnel in the bakery’s storage room. We followed it here.”
Ben used cell phone flashlight to inspect the brick walls. He picked at something with a finger. “Huh. Looks like the brick is chipping away.”
Desi moved to investigate. “What are these symbols on the walls?
“Masonic. I told you. The way I heard it; the secret room was used to—”
“Let’s get out of here.” Kora couldn’t take it another second down here. “I’m ready to call it a day and go home.”
Desi’s hand pressed against her back as she approached the stairs. Her blood heated and she was acutely aware of how glad she was to see him.
“I thought you had a date with some exotic dancers.”
“Nope. I’m going home for a strong drink instead.”
“I didn’t want to burst your bubble before, but the dancers are all board member’s husbands. I think the youngest one is seventy-four.”
“Seventy-two,” Ben piped up. “And he’s got a belly the size of a dump truck.”
Kora squeezed her eyes shut.
“You know, Desi, I’m sure the Association would love if you volunteered your time.”
“Funny, Ben. Funny.”
The bookstore was a flurry of leathery wings when they reached the top of the stairs.
Ben observed with his hands on his hips. “Well, that’s a problem.”
“How did they even get in that room?” Kora ducked as one flew over her head. “It’s sealed and there’s no way in or out.”
Desi walked casually to the front door and propped it open, went outside to the curb, and came back in with something in his palm. One by one, he started tossing pebbles out the door. It took a moment, but the bats caught on. They flew after the pebbles, their little radar detectors mistaking them for bugs, and slowly began flying out of the building.
Desi turned serious eyes on her. “Someone planted them there. Probably the same person whose been using the tunnel.”
