the elevator. The cousins would join them in the hallway,
but they’d get there via the back stairs. They’d also bring an
ax.
“I don’t really want to do this,” an unenthusiastic Renie
said as they went down to the basement. “What we find isn’t
going to be nice.”
“Probably not,” Judith sighed, “but we should be there as
witnesses.”
“Why?” Renie asked as they headed for the alcove that
housed the woodpile.
“Why?” Judith hesitated. “Well, because we need to know
everything if we’re going to figure out whodunit. More
evidence, that’s the ticket.”
“I thought you were going to make some up,” Renie replied
in a peevish voice.
“I was, but real evidence would be better.” Judith found
two axes, but chose the one with the longer handle. “Let’s
go.”
When Judith and Renie got back to the second floor, they
saw Margo trying to turn the lock with a paper clip. She
wasn’t having much luck. Max and Gene hovered behind
her. Judith had considered offering her expertise, but thought
better of it; perhaps it wouldn’t be wise to admit that she
could not only crack a safe, but pick a lock.
“I could push it in,” Max said. He had taken off his lumber
jacket to reveal a heavy olive-green flannel shirt.
“No,” Gene said, avoiding Max’s gaze. “We don’t want a
gaping hole. That is, in case…” His voice trailed off.
Max saw the ax in Judith’s hand. “Then we’ll chop around
the lock.”
Gene nodded. “Go ahead. Let’s hope Ward didn’t shoot
the dead bolt.”
Ward hadn’t. It took Max almost ten minutes to hack away
at the solid pine, but eventually he freed the lock, doorknob,
and brass plate from the door itself. Gingerly, Max reached
into the opening and swung the door free.
The room looked like all the others that Judith had seen.
It appeared to be empty. Max led the way, going to the foot
of the twin beds, peering beneath them, checking the small
closet, then opening the door to the bathroom. He looked
in the tub. There was no sign of Ward.
Renie was shivering. Judith put a hand on her cousin’s
arm. “Hang in there, coz,” she whispered.
“I’m okay,” Renie said under her breath. “It’s cold in here.”
“It is, actually,” Judith agreed. She glanced at the small
fireplace. The grate was empty.
“I don’t get it. I saw him go in.” Max scratched his bald
head, then went back to the closet. “His parka’s gone. So are
