Page 65 of Code Name: Reaper
“Let’s go inside. My old bones don’t like the autumn chill.”
I handed him the key since my hands were shaking, and he unlocked the door.
“This is Reap, er, Kingston,” I said once we were inside. “This is Mr. Hill.”
I closed my eyes when the two men shook hands, not ready to look around yet. In fact, more than anything, I wanted to leave.
After chatting for a few minutes about maintenance he’d done on the house, Mr. Hill offered to let us look around on our own. “But stop over and say goodbye on your way out. Unless, of course, you want to stay. I mean, it is your house.”
I thanked him, walked him to the door, and shut it behind him. Moments later, Reaper’s hands were on my shoulders.
“Tell me what you want me to do. Would you rather I wait outside?”
“God, no.” I leaned against him. “I can’t do this alone.”
“Take the first step, and I’ll be right behind you.”
Right inside the front door was the staircase that led to the second floor. To the right was the living room, and the dining room was on the left.
“Grandma always hated that the stairs were the first thing anyone saw when they walked in. I’m sure Grandpa would’ve moved them if it had been possible. He would’ve done anything for her…”
Reaper motioned left and right. “Which way?”
I shrugged, then walked into the living room. Nothing had changed. There were two easy chairs facing the television, and along the wall, there was a sofa, two end tables, and a coffee table.
“Someone could’ve put these away.” I reached for an eight-by-ten frame of me in elementary school. When I placed it face down, Reaper picked it up.
“Pretty girl. Who is it?”
I slugged him but smiled. Not something I would have thought possible at the moment.
“The kitchen’s in here.” I walked into the room where I’d learned to make crab cakes because getting them out in a restaurant was a “ridiculous waste of money.”
Reaper nudged me. “I’d love to know what you’re thinking.”
“My grandparents were thrifty. Come on. Let’s keep going.” I motioned for him to follow. “That’s the dining room.” I pointed to the left. “My grandparents’ bedroom is at the end of the hall.” I turned around and went the other way.
“What’s upstairs?”
“Three more bedrooms.” I led him up the rear staircase.
“What’s up there?” He pointed to where the stairs continued higher.
“Attic.”
The first room we came to had been mine.
“Whoa, that is a lot of purple.” He gasped when I turned the light on. He was right. The walls were purple, and the bed was covered with a spread that had three tiers on the sides, all different shades. The canopy above it matched. “Favorite color?” he asked.
“I detest it.”
Reaper raised a brow.
“Now. I clearly loved it at the time.” We returned to the hallway. “Uh, don’t look in there.” I pointed to a closed door.
“Now, I have to.”
“Okay, but I warned you.”
