Page 53 of Waylaid in Whittier

“I didn’t either.” Millie reached for the door handle. “We’ll get in and out fast. What we need to look for is some sort of clue linking Carter Morley to Mount Baldie.”

“Even if we can prove Carter is interested in Elvira’s honey hole, how are we going to prove he may have been involved in Wanda’s attack?” Annette asked. “Short of finding the weapon.”

“Finding the weapon would be a bonus,” Millie said. “Something tells me we won’t get that lucky.”

“Unless Carter is dumb,” Sharky said. “He doesn’t strike me as being stupid.”

Millie handed out flashlights. “We need a clue to Elvira’s RV break-in or Wanda’s attack.”

Brody shined his light along the front of the structure. “I see a walkway across the water.”

“One way in and one way out. For safety’s sake, two of us should scope out the building while the others check out the shack.” Sharky puffed up his chest. “The brawn of the bunch will search the building while you lovely sleuths investigate the shed.”

Danielle patted her pocket. “Keep your cell phones close at hand in case we need to stay in touch.”

“What about this?” Sharky reached into his backpack, pulled out a whistle and whistled loudly.

Millie whacked his arm. “Sharky Kiveski. Talk about drawing attention.”

“Sorry. I mean, it’s not like anyone can hear me.”

“You hope not. Try to stay away from the water.”

“Falling in the water is the least of our worries.” Brody, with Sharky by his side, began making his way along the walkway.

Meanwhile, Millie, Danielle, and Annette turned toward the other structure.

“This place gives me the heebie-jeebies,” Danielle whispered.

“I have to say, it’s kinda creeping me out,” Annette agreed.

“I could think of worse places to search,” Millie said.

“Like where?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

“If we figure this one out, Elvira Cobb is going to owe us,” Danielle said. “Do you believe what Sharky said about her setting a trap?”

“It’s possible. Or she could be making a last ditch effort to find more gold before leaving Whittier,” Millie said. “Hopefully, whatever she’s up to doesn’t put her back in jail.”

Chapter 20

“I dunno if it was a good idea for you to check yourself out of the hospital.” Elvira cast a concerned glance at her former friend turned friend again, Wanda Tillman, who looked pale and frail sitting in the wheelchair alongside the curb.

“I’m feeling much better. Besides, I feel somewhat responsible for your arrest after my attack. I know we argued, but we’re solid, like we’ve had each other’s back since almost day one when you got here. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. Someone knows we’re close to finding gold and is trying to get rid of us,” Wanda said. “We need to figure this out before you sail off into the sunset with that beau of yours. If not, I’ll be dealing with this after you’re gone.”

“I’m not going anywhere if we can’t get to the bottom of who might be behind it,” Elvira grimaced.

“I’m not pressing charges,” Wanda said. “Either way, you’ll be free to leave.”

“Seriously?” Elvira pressed her hand to her chest. “You’re a good friend, Wanda Tillman. Someone attacked you and I agree wholeheartedly. I hate the idea of leaving my partner, my friend, to deal with this alone, which is why I have a hidden camera strategically placed outside my RV. The bait is ready for the taking, although I’m not sure anyone will show.”

“I want to help,” Wanda said. “I say we swing by your place to see if they went after the bait and go from there.”

The attendant, who had stepped away to sign off on the release papers, returned. “Who is driving you home?”

“Me.” Elvira jangled her keys. “My truck is around the corner. I’ll be right back.” She scurried across the parking lot, climbed into her rust bucket, and drove back to the pickup area.

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