“Yes,” Georgie said, striding over to it. She tried to lift the lid, but it was stuck. “Anyone got a key?”
It was a different style of trunk from the ones they’d opened earlier, older, with more water damage. It would make Tess’s day if it was the trunk Lilian had owned, and if it contained information about the Retribution. “I’ll check Dad’s office.” On his way, he grabbed the keys which fit the other trunks, and then scanned the display cabinet in case he’d missed something. No other keys. Back in the kitchen, he handed the keys to Georgie, but they didn’t turn the lock.
“Sam’s an expert at locks,” Brandon said. “Think you can pick it?”
“Maybe.” He examined the lock. “Let me get my gear.” He headed outside.
“He brings lock picking gear with him to a wedding?” Amy asked.
Brandon laughed. “He likes to be prepared for anything.”
Sam walked in a couple of minutes later. “Lee is gone.”
Ed jolted. “What?”
“His tent and car are gone. I’m guessing he wasn’t supposed to check out yet.” Sam glanced at Amy.
“He was booked in for another fortnight.”
Brandon swore. “He must have been working for Stonefish.”
“Maybe he got bad news and had to leave,” Lara said, twisting her hands together.
“It doesn’t look good, pumpkin,” Darcy said. “He would have at least come over and said he had to leave early.”
Amy got out her phone. “No email or missed call.”
“I’ll call Dot,” Brandon said.
“What’s this about Lee?” Georgie asked.
Ed told her about Salvatore. Was Tess in danger? Surely Lee would have said something to Stonefish if he recognised her.
Georgie swore. “I thought he was a decent guy.”
“Does this mean Tan knows where I am?” Tess whispered to Ed.
“Maybe.” But why would Salvatore blow Lee’s cover, if that was the case? “We’ll see what Dot has to say.”
Sam picked the lock on the trunk while Brandon spoke with Dot. He whooped as the lid lifted a crack, and Georgie hugged him. “My hero.” She reached for the lid, and Sam kept his hand on it, preventing her from opening it.
“Hold your horses,” he said. “Wait for Bran.”
Georgie scowled. “I take that praise back.”
Tess vibrated next to him, and whether it was from fear of Tan, or excitement for the contents of the trunk, Ed didn’t know. He slid his arm around her waist. “Everything will be fine. I’ll protect you.”
She leaned into him. “I know.”
He closed his eyes, buoyed by her faith in him. With her he felt like a superhero. Her trust gave him confidence. He pressed a kiss on her hair.
Brandon hung up. “Salvatore has been singing all the way to the station. He’s placing all the blame on Tan, and mentioned Lee was their contact up here.”
Amy paled. “I trusted him.”
Ed felt for his sister-in-law. He had taken Lee star-gazing the last time he’d been here and had enjoyed spending time with the intelligent and interesting man. Ed wished he’d taken more photos at the wedding. “What do we do now?”
“She wants Tess to come in tomorrow and officially identify Salvatore. They’ll have people arrest Tan in Perth.”
