Part 25 (2/2)

I said nothing, letting Maggie handle this one.

”Sarah told me that if I helped her solve this, she would make sure I was compensated,” Allison said and stopped.

Okay, Maggie, please ask her...

”How would Aunt Sarah compensate you, Al?”

I could see the color rise in Allison's beautiful long neck. ”Money. She promised to help me with my antique shop. Y-you know I'm having difficulties.”

”Al, you could have come to me. I would have helped you,” Maggie said and I heard the sincerity in her voice.

”Mags, we're not seeing each other anymore. How can I ask you for money?” Allison questioned in a quiet voice.

”Aunt Sarah, I'm afraid, is somehow involved in all this, Al,” Maggie said. ”We found a notebook in Bedford's apartment that really implicates her. We need your help now, to determine how deeply she's involved. It could even be that Uncle Nathan is involved as well.”

Allison's head shot up at the statement. She looked from me to Maggie. ”How can that be?”

Maggie looked over at me.

”There's a great deal going on here, Allison,” I said. ”Too much to go into now. You'll have to trust Maggie, and help her, not for me, but for Maggie's sake. Someone is trying to kill her.”

”Allison, dear. For the sake of all of us and for all the years we've known each other, please listen to Kate,” Hannah implored.

Allison sat back against the cus.h.i.+ons of the couch and stared at nothing in particular. ”What do you want me to do?”

”I need you to get Sarah out of her house for at least an hour this afternoon,” I said.

Allison gave me a curious look. ”Okay, I can call her and take her to lunch.”

”Tell her Maggie told you that I found more evidence. That should do it,” I said confidently. ”Look, Allison, I know you and I got off on the wrong foot, but do you believe what we've said?” I asked.

”Yes, Kate I do. I-I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I can't believe I've been so blind,” she looked at Maggie and smiled sadly.

”I would suggest that you go on as normally as possible. Tell Sarah what you think she needs to hear, but please be careful. One person is dead, and three others have been tossed around. So, please, don't take any chances with her. If she says or does anything strange, tell Maggie or Steve right away.”

Allison agreed and took out her phone.

With Allison gone to get Sarah out of the way, we planned our mission. Mac and Teri returned from town. Steve had the evidence in the evidence locker at the police station.

”Well, let's put together a plan of attack,” I said. ”We'll get to the house and then, Hannah, you lead us to the right closets. We check out the rooms and we're gone. That's it. In and out as quick as we can.” I looked at Hannah. ”Right?”

She nodded. ”R-right.”

We all gave her a suspicious look. ”Hannah, right?” I asked.

”Yes, yes. I said it would be fine. Don't make me nervous.”

”c.r.a.p, this is going to be a nightmare. Okay, let's go. I suggest we walk, just in case.”

The day was dark, gloomy and depressing. Although it had stopped raining, the thunder still rolled in the distance.

”Okay, please, let's all be careful not to disrupt anything. In and out,” I urged as we walked down the path. I tried not to feel like as if I was leading a funeral procession.

They all agreed.

”No worries, we'll be fine. As long as they don't come back early,” Mac said and I nodded.

We came to the clearing as Allison's car pulled away-perfect timing. We slowly walked up to the house and Hannah pulled out her keys. She turned with a gleeful smile.

”I feel like I'm, what is it called? Breaking and entering?”

”Don't kid yourself, that's exactly what we're doing. Even though you have the keys, Aunt Sarah would be highly aggravated right now if she saw us,” Maggie said dryly. ”So Aunt Hannah, please just let us in.”

”Heavens, which key is it?” Hannah sighed and fumbled with the keys.

I felt ridiculous as the five of us stood crammed at the door.

”Hannah, may I?” I asked and took the keys from her. She pointed to the right key.

We slowly walked in and looked around. ”Okay, Hannah, which room is Sarah's and Nathan's?” I asked.

Hannah looked up the stairs and hesitated. ”Well, I think...” she started.

”You think? Aunt Hannah, don't you know?”

Hannah rang her hands. ”Well, I thought I did. Don't make me nervous, Margaret,” she said.

I rubbed my forehead. ”Okay, okay, let's split up. Mac and Teri take the closets on the first floor. We'll go upstairs.”

Teri and Mac nodded and went to the closet in the foyer. Upstairs, there were three bedrooms. ”Okay, we each take one. Be careful,” I said.

As we split up, Hannah and I started for the same bedroom, nearly b.u.mping into each other. I gave her a helpless look.

”Sorry, dear,” she mumbled and headed for the next room.

I quickly checked out the closet, searching every article of clothing. There were men's clothes but no jackets or coats. Actually, it looked like a spare room that wasn't actually used. There was a bed and dresser but nothing else of a personal nature.

From the hall, I heard Hannah exclaim. I dashed out to see her holding a silk scarf.

”I knew I gave this to Sarah!” she announced triumphantly.

I hung my head and Maggie patted my shoulder.

”Aunt Hannah, dear, please, we don't have time,” Maggie said. ”Now put that back exactly where you found it.”

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