“Hey, Mr. Bolding.” Elisa smoothed her hair before tucking it behind her ears, that familiar flush Noah loved being responsible for working its way up her throat. “No, sir. We were just looking for something.”
Her eyes darted to Noah’s and he fought his grin. They’d certainly found it. He cleared his throat as he adjusted his shirt collar.
“A lost Bible, I’m assuming? We got a whole stack of them over in the lost and found.” Mr. Bolding pointed back toward the direction he’d come from. “That’s in the closet in the foyer, though.”
“We’re actually looking for something else.” Noah had a hunch as he studied the man’s mildly stooped posture. He used to see Mr. Bolding tending the churchyard when Noah was a pre-teen, while he’d been out running Grandpa’s errands on his bicycle. “You’ve worked here a long time, haven’t you?”
“Only thirty years, give or take.” He lifted his chin with pride as he set the towels alongside the others. “I do a little bit of it all. Cleaning, stocking, groundskeeping. Whatever and wherever I’m needed.”
Elisa smiled. “No one could imagine this congregation without you.”
“Well, that’s mighty kind of you to say, Ms. Bergeron.”
Noah relaxed. If Mr. Bolding had taken sides during the feud, he wasn’t letting it show. Zero judgment clouded the older man’s eyes.
“I can imagine you’ve seen a lot over the years.” Noah shot Elisa a look. If anyone at the church would know what they needed to know…
Mr. Bolding’s bushy eyebrows rose as he turned back to face them. “I’ve had to stay overnight in that cemetery out yonder, son.” He let out a belly laugh. “You’ve got no idea what I’ve seen. What are you two looking for, specifically?”
At Elisa’s encouraging nod, Noah continued. “This might sound weird, but is there a staircase around here?”
Mr. Bolding frowned. “There are the entry steps out front. And the stairs here, going into that big ol’ tub.”
Noah shook his head. “Not those. This staircase would be bigger.”
“And maybe hidden.” Elisa’s voice trailed off and she shrugged at Noah’s look.
“A secret staircase?” Mr. Bolding scratched his throat. “Sounds like something out of a crime novel.”
Disappointment draped over Noah. Maybe they had the wrong church, after all. “I figured it was a long shot, but had to ask.” He gestured for Elisa to head toward the door first. “We appreciate your time.”
“Now hold on a minute, son. I didn’t say there wasn’t one. Only that it sounded like a book.” Mr. Bolding chuckled. He pointed toward the cart full of robes. “This church used to have a bell tower, years ago.”
Noah’s heart thudded.Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church, By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread, To the belfry-chamber overhead…The words of the clue rushed back at him as he shot a glance at Elisa. Her eyes widened big as the dessert plates at the Magnolia Blossom.
Mr. Bolding gripped the handles and gave the cart a shove. The wheels, which probably rarely ever moved, creaked in protest as they reluctantly obeyed. The sudden lack of robes in the space revealed a door that had been painted over, though recently cracked as evidenced by the dark ribbon running along the frame.
Elisa joined Mr. Bolding at the door before Noah could even tell his feet to move. He’d been standing right there mere minutes ago, with absolutely no indication the stairs they were looking for were on the other side of the wall. His hope soared.
“It’s locked.” Elisa turned from the painted knob, casting Mr. Bolding’s key ring a pointed glance.
“Of course it’s locked.” Mr. Bolding crossed his arms over his broad belly. “Some decades ago, there was an accident. A staff member got hurt tending to the bell, and then a few months later, some kids got curious about it, started playing around up there. The church didn’t want the liability.” He waved one hand in the air. “Don’t rightly blame ’em. So, they had the bell removed, repaired the roof, and locked this all up.” He tapped the door with one knuckle. “Only us old-timers know it even existed in the first place.”
Noah stepped forward. “Can you let us in?”
“We won’t tell,” Elisa quickly added.
Noah caught her eye, shared a smile. Between the three of them in the room, they’d be keeping all kinds of secrets. The blush started back on her neck.
“I’d love to.” Mr. Bolding patted the bulky ring on his belt, then shrugged. “But someone borrowed that particular key a few months back, and I don’t believe they ever returned it.”
twenty-one
“IknewI’d seen that key before.” Noah slammed the truck door and slung his duffel bag brimming with baseball gear over his shoulder. The sun, low in the sky, cast a warm glow over the community ball field—and Noah’s clenched jaw. “You found it?” Elisa tilted her face to the coming twilight, drawing a deep breath as she leaned one hip against her car door. The warmth of the evening did wonders to relax her tension. Before meeting Noah for the game, she’d spent the day at the Blossom, cooking for the lunch rush and giving the police her statement on Lucius. Now she wanted nothing more than to soak in a bit of Vitamin D and forget how the fate of the diner hung?—
He shoved a piece of paper in her hands.
She glanced down. The words on the card swam together and she blinked as realization dawned. Her breath hitched. “The next clue? You already got it?”
