Page 67 of Code Name: Reaper
“It’s a long shot, but you could check to see if there’s anything written on it.”
I handed it to him, and he removed the easel and the cardboard.
I read the single name written in handwriting I didn’t recognize. “Anna?”
“What was your grandmother’s name?”
“Dorothy. Grandpa was Norman.”
He took another frame from the drawer. “This must be your mom.”
I studied it. “It is. I think.”
“You think?”
“I haven’t seen many photos of her, and she died when I was three.” There was something about the image that nagged at me. “You know what’s weird?”
Reaper looked over my shoulder.
“This looks a little like Suzanne, er, Lyra, er, Mercury.”
His eyes opened wide. “Let’s check.” He took it apart like he had the other, but there were no names written on it.
He opened and closed all three drawers of the remaining dresser. “This one is empty, but what about these?”
I shrugged and opened the top of one cedar chest while he opened the other. Mine was full of blankets and quilts. “I’ve seen these before.” I closed the lid, then peered into the one he’d opened. It was farther from the light, so it wasn’t as easy to see inside. “What’s in it?”
“Looks like tools, maybe a hand planer? Silverware. Some, um, not sure what they’re called.” He held one up.
“Doilies.”
“Did you say ‘doilies’?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen one.”
“Never.”
I took one from his hand. “Like the quilts, I do remember seeing some of this stuff.”
“Not the photos, though?”
“The last time I opened any of these drawers, they were empty. I’m certain of it.”
“Check this out.” He reached for what appeared to be an old and not-very-well-cared-for dollhouse.
“It doesn’t look like something you’d want a kid to play with.” I didn’t even want to touch it for fear of getting splinters.
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s a toy. It looks more like a model. You know, like something someone eventually built.” Reaper held it up and looked at the bottom. “Can’t read it.” He carried it over near the light bulb.
“What’s it say?” I asked when his brow furrowed.
“Hyde Camp.”
I was standing close enough to one of the dressers to reach for it when I felt dizzy.
He put his arm around me. “Are you okay?”
“Would you be?”
