Page 61 of In the Line of Ire

"Iagree."

"Changing the locks was futile," I sighed.

"No, itwasn't. Natalie did the right thing based on the facts. Plus, noone knows we found this hidden entry to the house and the suspectprobably won't be expecting any camera. As soon as they godownstairs, the camera will trigger, uploading a photo to ourservers."

"Ifthey godownstairs."

"Ididn't bring an extra camera with me so let's hope they do that,based on their past performance." Solomon reached for the windowand pulled it almost closed, wedging it into the frame. "Let'sfinish checking out the attic before we leave here. I don't wantthe creep getting spooked away before we get a chance to identifyher or him."

I noddedmy endorsement. We conducted a search of the attic that lasted afruitless few minutes and found nothing. We still had no clueregarding who could be hiding up there. Disappointed, I climbeddown the attic ladder. The light flickered off, leaving the atticin darkness again and Solomon followed. On the landing, he slid theladder into its frame and pushed the hatch back intoplace.

"Wait,"I said, realizing our mistake. "Was the hatch locked or bolted? Ican't imagine anyone would risk having Natalie go up there anddiscover their secret hideout."

"Ididn't notice a bolt on the frame. They probably hoped no onethought of going into the attic and even if they did try the hatch,all they would see was a bunch of boxes. Remember how they wereclustered near the opening? The beanbag was wedged behind one ofthe roof's supporting beams so it would have been easy to write offas an insignificant clump of material. Thankfully, the family neverused the attic for storage."

"Itmakes me sick to think someone could be up there at the same timethe girls were home from school or while they were all asleep intheir beds. Something terrible could have happened tothem!"

"Let'sremember that nothing did happen and hope that causing harm orinjury was not the end game."

"So whatcould it be? Voyeurism?"

"Ichecked the attic floor for peepholes and didn't find any, so Idon't think so."

I pulleda face. "Eww. How did that cross your mind?"

"Thesame way it did yours. Plus, I've met a lot of strange people in mylife."

I pulledanother face and Solomon wrapped an arm around me. "We'll fixthis," he said. "But we really should get out of herenow."

I lockedthe house up tight and we returned to the car. Just being out ofthe house made me feel better. Knowing someone could be lurking inthe attic, I doubted I would ever dare go back there alone. I feltsure the Morgans would be just as grossed out as I was. I didn'trelish the task of telling Natalie the latest news and decided Iwouldn't tell her until the case was solved. Solomon was right;they were out of the house and harm's way. That was the bestresponse for now.

"Whatare your plans for this evening?" asked Solomon as we droveaway.

"Lilyinvited me to a purse party."

"Awhat?"

"It’slike a Tupperware party but they’re pushing purses. She sayssomeone came into the bar with a fake purse and gushed about theparty where she bought it from. Lily thought we should check it outand I agreed. So, technically, I’m working."

"Goodthinking."

"Andyou? What are your plans?"

"Aftermy run, I'm going to Daniel's house to play poker, along with yourother brothers and Delgado, too."

"Thatshould be fun."

"I'm notsure. The text message read 'poker, wings, and we want a word withyou'. I have a hunch your mom could have had something to do withthat part."

"Youdon't have to go, you know. My brothers can be scary when they slipinto protective mode." The flashbacks of several times when theypranked Maddox popped into my head and I sighed. I couldn't imaginewhat they might attempt to do to Solomon if they were seriouslyworried about me.

"Don'tworry. I have Delgado as backup. Plus, I can be plentyscary."

"Garrett, Daniel, and Jord have each other for backup." Ipaused and glanced at him. "And you all carry guns."

"Ibelieve tonight we're leaving them at home."

"Phew!Alice will be so pleased if you don't shoot her house up. I wonderwhat Mom said to them."

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