The first thought that popped into her mind was she had entered some sort of torture chamber. The walls were covered in an array of weaponry, from long swords to sabers, to a metal mace, complete with a chain and spikes. She shivered involuntarily and wondered what kind of person collected tools designed to torture.
Autumn’s hands shook as she pulled her cell phone from her back pocket. She switched it on, clicked the camera icon and quickly snapped several pictures before backing toward the door.
She reached for the knob and then spied a desk, covered with papers. Autumn was torn between getting out fast, before the owner showed up and tested some of his torture tools on her or snapping a quick picture.
A dull thud helped settle the matter. She yanked the door open and darted into the hall. The banging drum had stopped and was replaced by a loud crackling noise.
Autumn crept down the hall and slipped back into the bathroom. She climbed onto the toilet seat, balancing one foot on each side before gingerly stepping onto the lid. With a quick check to make sure the coast was clear, she sprang onto the ledge.
A faint whiff of cigarette smoke drifted up and she forced herself to remain calm as she silently slid the window shut and slithered to the edge of the box. Autumn pushed herself off, landing lightly on her feet. “Piece of cake.”
The alley and sidewalk were empty, and Autumn reached the pawnshop without incident. She glanced inside to make sure Mercedes and Carlita were still there before pushing the door open. “Are you guys almost done? There’s nothing around here but this place and a tattoo shop.”
“I…yes.” Mercedes nodded and almost passed out when Autumn sauntered in.
“Not quite.” Carlita picked up another piece of lawn art, this time a penguin with piercing blue eyes, and carried it to the counter. “This fella looks like he could use a good home.”
Carlita paid for her purchase, the women stepped out of the store and onto the sidewalk.
“That was a close call,” Mercedes said. “Al was starting to get suspicious.”
“See? We make a great team.” Autumn grinned. “Mission accomplished. I think we may have hit the jackpot.”
Chapter 5
“Wait until we get into the car and I’ll show you what I found,” Autumn said.
The trio climbed inside and Autumn slid to the center of the back seat. “I heard a bunch of loud racket coming from the front of the pawnshop. It sounded like Led Zeppelin on steroids.”
“It was Mercedes’ drum solo performance. We decided a noise diversion would work just as good as a medical diversion.”
“Ma didn’t do too bad herself, picking out a CB radio to crank all the way up.”
“I think poor Al was getting ready to throw us out.” Carlita checked the rearview mirror before backing up and pulling onto the street.
Mercedes buckled her seatbelt and then lowered the visor, staring at Autumn in the mirror. “You said you hit the jackpot. What did you find?”
“Mr. Goldstein’s collection of weapons. Check it out.” Autumn switched her phone on and passed it to Mercedes.
“He’s definitely a collector of unique weaponry.” Mercedes let out a low whistle. “When we get back home, you gotta check this out Ma. I’m not sure Mrs. Montgomery will be able to make heads or tails of all of the different items.”
Carlita gave the girls a quick glance before focusing her attention on the road. “Forward the pictures to my email and I’ll get them over to Tori to see if she recognizes anything, although I’m sure she’s up to her eyeballs in party planning.”
“A party?” Autumn’s eyes lit. “Mrs. Montgomery is planning a party?”
“The Merry Masquerade.” Mercedes started to say something else, but didn’t want Autumn’s feelings to be hurt since she hadn’t been invited. She quickly changed the subject. “Was there anything else besides a bunch of old swords and stuff?”
“The desk was covered in papers and file folders, but I got freaked out when I thought someone was coming, so I didn’t take a picture of any of it.”
Mercedes handed the cell phone back to her friend. “What happened to your hair? It’s wet.”
“Eau de toilette. Toilet water. I fell through the window, into the bathroom and had to grab the sides of the toilet bowl to break my fall. The seat was up. At least it was empty,” Autumn sighed. “My ponytail flopped forward and made a splashdown inside the toilet.”
“Gross,” Mercedes wrinkled her nose.
“You’re telling me. I’m going to go home and bathe in a tub of rubbing alcohol.”
During the ride home, the women discussed Mr. Goldstein’s office. The only person who could tell them if any of the pieces hanging in the man’s office belonged to Montgomery Hall was Tori Montgomery.
Carlita swung by Autumn’s apartment first and eased the car alongside the curb. “I’m sorry you had to give the pawnshop a copy of your driver’s license. Hopefully, nothing comes of it.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Mrs. G. One of the Savannah Police Department’s finest moved into the apartment below mine. He drives his patrol car and parks it in front of our building when he’s not working. Someone would be stupid to try to mess with our place.”
Autumn sprang from the car and hopped onto the sidewalk. “I’ll send the pictures as soon as I get inside.” She started to close the passenger door and paused. “Thanks for inviting me to join in the fun. If I don’t see you before Thanksgiving, have a good one and make sure you gobble til you wobble.”
She chuckled at her joke and slammed the car door.
“I feel bad about mentioning the Merry Masquerade party.” Mercedes watched as her
