After a quick inspection of the damage, Tony led the way, along the perimeter of the fence. “What unit are we lookin’ for?”
“D62,” Mercedes said. “We’re in section G. It’s probably over this way.” They strode across the back of the property, passing by a couple of cars parked in front of two end units. “We’re close now.”
When they reached the building marked “D,” they turned right and walked along the front of the large single stall units until they reached a section of smaller units.
“This is it.” Autumn knelt down to examine the lock. “Awesome. This is the exact same lock Steve has on his storage unit.”
“I’ll try first.” Tony waved Autumn to the side and knelt down to inspect the lock. “I think I’ve got the perfect tool.” He reached in his front pocket, pulled out a Swiss Army knife and extended the gutting blade. “Just a little twist here.”
Tony eased the blade inside the opening and twisted the tip. Nothing happened. “I got another blade in here.” He removed the gutting blade, snapped it back in the slot and flicked open a smaller blade, repeating the same steps. Again, nothing happened.
“Let me give it a try,” Autumn said.
“Be my guest.” Tony stepped to the side and Autumn moved closer. She popped the top of the plastic case, reached inside and pulled out a small angled piece of metal.
“Someone’s coming,” Mercedes hissed.
Bright headlights illuminated the side of the storage unit as a vehicle eased along the gravel strip of road. It slowed as it drew closer.
“I hope that’s not the storage manager,” Mercedes whispered, her heart pounding.
The trio watched as a vintage, woodgrain station wagon crept by. An elderly woman stared at them through the driver’s side window and Autumn waved as she drove by.
The vehicle stopped at the end of the row of storage buildings and the woman slowly climbed out of her car. She kept one eye on them as she hurried to the door of one of the larger units. After unlocking the unit door, the woman gave them another hard stare and then disappeared inside.
“Awesome. Now we have Nosy Nellie two doors down.” Mercedes wiped her brow. “Let’s hurry up before she comes back out.”
“I’m trying.” Autumn quickly inserted the small tool inside the keyhole and twisted. “I don’t get it. It worked like a charm on Steve’s lock.” She tried again, this time giving the tool a firm twist. “Great. It’s not working.”
“Let me try.” Mercedes held out her hand.
Autumn dropped the tool into her friend’s hand.
Mercedes dropped to her knees, so that she was eye level with the lock. She slid the tip of the tool into the lock and slowly spun it counter-clockwise. Click.
“Bingo.” The lock popped open. Mercedes handed the tool to Autumn before sliding the bar to the left. Next, she tugged on the bottom of the door. “I think it’s stuck.”
“You gotta use a little muscle.” Tony gave the door a hard tug and it rolled up.
“Thanks bro.” Mercedes’ heart sank as she peered into the murky darkness. “It looks empty.”
“I brought a flashlight with me.” Tony reached in his pocket, pulled out a small flashlight and turned it on. He shined the light around the unit. “There’s stuff in here.”
Propped against the right-hand wall was a small, one-seater kayak. Next to the kayak was a plastic paddle. In front of the kayak were several fishing boxes and an array of fishing poles.
“What are those?” Autumn pointed behind the kayak, at two long pieces of wood with a pattern etched on the front.
“They look like water skis,” Tony said. “We got a similar set for sale in the pawnshop.”
“Mr. Luis was quite the outdoorsman,” Mercedes said. “I read in one of his biographies that he worked for a couple of years as a writer for Lonely Planet publishing. It’s one of the largest travel guidebook publishers in the world. He’s traveled to some exotic locations to document his travels.”
“That’s cool,” Autumn said. “I wonder what’s over here.” She zigzagged around a maze of stacked storage boxes, to the other side of the unit. “Hey. Over here. Check this out.”
Chapter 14
Carlita studied the lock on the balcony door, flipping it back and forth while Grayvie arched his back, appearing to have only a mild interest in what Carlita was doing.
“I’m gonna have to change this lock or risk having to crawl through Rambo’s doggie door if you lock me out,” she scolded.
Grayvie lifted his tail and then leapt off the table before strutting across the wood floors and making his way into the kitchen.
“It’s a good thing I’m nearly an expert at changing locks, thanks to Elvira.” Carlita stepped over to her small dining room desk and added a patio door lock to her growing list of items she planned to purchase on her next shopping trip.
Carlita set the pen on top of the yellow pad and headed into the kitchen when she heard a soft knock on the front door. “Wonder who that is.” She peeped through the peephole and spotted Shelby standing on the other side.
Carlita swung the door open. “Hello Shelby.”
“Hello Carlita. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“You’re never a bother.”
The sound of loud voices followed by a dull thunk echoed in the hall. “Is Elvira at it again? I swear that woman can’t move out of here fast enough.”
Shelby’s eyes widened. “Elvira is moving?”
“Yes. It’s been so hectic around here; since Gina and my grandkids arrived, I haven’t had time to tell you and Cool Bones that Elvira is moving out.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Shelby clasped her hands. “I think Paulie and his wife are in the midst of a heated argument. I
