Page 57 of Waylaid in Whittier

“It’s probably rusted shut,” Danielle said.

“Hold your flashlight a little closer.”

Millie did as Annette asked and moved closer, watching as she wiggled the pliers right, left, up and down. “It’s no use.” She tucked them into their empty slot and handed the gadget to her. “It was worth a try.”

“I’m not ready to give up.” Millie stepped back and studied the exterior. “This doesn’t fit in with the other structures.”

Annette tilted her head. “Good point. The other buildings are much older. This one appears to be fairly new.”

“If Morley died almost a year ago, I would say this was constructed around the time of his death or shortly after.”

Danielle tapped the top of the doorknob. “But why put an old doorknob and lock on a new or newer building?”

“Who knows? Maybe the Morley family is into repurposing stuff. Waste not, want not.” Millie led them around to the side. “See the overhang? Right beneath the overhang is a section of screen.”

“You’re wondering what the screens are for,” Danielle guessed.

“To vent something, but what?”

“Maybe it’s not for ventilation,” Annette said. “Short of kicking the door in, I don’t think we’re going to find out.”

Millie tapped her chin. “Busting down the door is a thought.”

“You can’t be serious,” Danielle said.

“I’m not, but I do have another idea.” Millie ran over to the truck and flung the driver’s side door open. “I hope Brody doesn’t mind if I borrow his fancy set of wheels.”

Chapter 22

Millie climbed into the driver’s seat of the fancy four-wheel-drive pickup truck. She rolled the window down, fired up the engine and shifted into reverse.

Annette waved her arms, motioning her back. “Back a little more…a couple inches. Perfect. Stop.”

Leaving the engine running, Millie climbed out to check her location. “I couldn’t have maneuvered any more perfectly if it was broad daylight.” She reached inside and shut the engine off.

Danielle dropped the tailgate. “Using the tailgate as a stepladder is a pretty slick trick, Millie.”

“I’ve been known to come up with a clever idea a time or two.” She grabbed hold of the tailgate and tried pulling herself into the truck bed. It was higher than it looked.

Danielle chuckled. “Do you need a hand?”

“I need to be another six inches taller,” Millie gasped.

“That’s what the nifty little sidestep is for.” Her friend tapped the step.

“Why didn’t I notice this before?” Millie stuck her sneaker in the cutout and grabbed onto the truck’s frame. With a little momentum, she easily stepped up and into the bed.

“These newer trucks have all the bells and whistles,” Annette said.

Millie reached down and gave Danielle a hand up, and then Annette. “You can see a lot more from up here.”

“And even see inside the screen vents on top of the mystery building.”

“You know it.” Millie scooched onto the lowered tailgate and turned her flashlight on. Leaning as far forward as possible, she shined the light through the screen. “It’s empty.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Millie shifted to the side. “See for yourself.”

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