A shiver snaked down my spine as I stared at the four pieces of the treasure puzzle we’d collected. I tightened my sweater around me as I sat on the attic floor. After way too long of a day, we’d arrived at home–another mystery solved and another killer behind bars.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were no safer than we were before. Maybe it was the chief’s comments as they led him away.
No matter what it was, we’d all agreed to hide the four pieces that supposedly led to the hidden treasure in my attic. At least they wouldn’t be easy to grab if someone broke in.
The thought still terrified and kept me awake most of the night. Despite my exhaustion and desperate need to sleep, I’d stared at the ceiling as the hours ticked by.
Who else was still out there? Whoever it was, they’d killed Becky.
My sister’s killer was still getting away with murder.
I heaved a sigh as I shifted around, trying to find a comfortable spot on the hard floorboards. If we were going to spend any amount of time up here deciphering this, I really needed to bring chairs or at least a pillow.
Thunder rumbled outside, sending another tremble through me. I glanced through the round window at the angry sea outside.
A raspy meow behind me called my attention back to the interior. Grayson stood at the stop of the ladder-like stairs that lead to the attic.
“Hey, Grayson,” I answered as I tapped my fingers against the floor. “You usually have something meaningful to say about all this stuff. Why aren’t you leading the way here?”
The cat stalked over to me and plopped down, rolling onto her side. I scratched her ears for a moment, wishing she could lead me to the next move.
We’d finally gotten all the pieces, and I still had no idea what to do with them.
I heaved a sigh as someone else poked their head into the attic. “Good morning,” Bill said as he raised his eyebrows. “You’re up early.”
“I’m afraid I didn’t sleep much,” I answered, my fingers absentmindedly rubbing circles into Grayson’s soft fur.
Bill frowned at me as he hovered over me. “Emily, you should have been passed out after everything that went on in the last few days.”
“I know, I know,” I said with a shrug as I climbed to my feet. “But I just…couldn’t get my mind to stop.”
“Hmm.” He crossed his arms, glancing down at the pieces on the floor. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I just kept thinking that Becky’s killer is still out there.”
