Chapter 3 - Laura
Margaret stared at Robert’s warning.
“Do not let Laura see this.”
She read it twice.
Then folded the note quickly.
“I don’t understand.”
“Did Robert and Laura have problems?”
“They argued.”
“About what?”
“Money. Mostly.”
That answer came too fast.
I waited.
Margaret sighed.
“Laura wanted us to sell the house earlier. Robert refused.”
“Why?”
“He said it wasn’t time.”
“Did he explain?”
“No.”
Charlie jumped down and walked to the exam-room door.
He scratched once.
Margaret watched him.
“He used to do that when Robert said, ‘garage.’”
The brass key sat between us.
Margaret looked at it.
“That’s not a house key.”
“What does it open?”
“I don’t know.”
I asked if she wanted police.
“No.”
“Margaret.”
“I need to know what Robert was trying to tell me first.”
That worried me.
But she was determined.
So we drove to her house.
Charlie rode in his carrier on the back seat, silent.
Half the furniture was gone.
Laura’s SUV sat in the driveway.
Margaret froze.
“She wasn’t supposed to be here.”
The front door opened.
Laura stepped out.
Forty-five.
Sharp haircut.
Expensive coat.
“Mom? Where have you been?”
“You brought the cat back?”
Margaret tightened her grip.
“Just for the night.”
Laura frowned.
“I know.”
Then Laura noticed me.
“Who are you?”
“Claire. Lakeside Rescue.”
“Why is the rescue worker at my mother’s house after midnight?”
Good question.
Margaret answered before I could.
“Charlie got sick.”
Laura looked at the carrier.
Charlie hissed.
Laura stepped back.
“See? That animal hates me.”
Charlie kept staring at her.
Margaret said, “Go home, Laura.”
Her daughter blinked.
“What?”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Laura looked hurt.
Then angry.
“Mom, the movers come at eight.”
“I said tomorrow.”
Laura left.
Then Charlie began crying.
He ran straight to the garage door.
Margaret opened it.
Charlie crossed the garage and stopped at Robert’s old workbench.
He jumped onto a stool and pawed at a locked metal cabinet.
May you like
Margaret held up the brass key.
It fit.
