He followed her out into the foyer and saw the tarp on the floor, with a small bit of debris on it. A broom laynearby.
“I was cleaning out the opening beneath the railing,” she told him, picking up an old piece of something pink. “And look what I foundinside.”
He accepted it, and it took him a moment to realize what it was. “It’s like a mink stole—but it’s pink. It was downinsidethere?”
“Yes. Isn’t that a strange place for something like that to be hidden? Look how pretty its big crystal button is—I’m sure it’s not made of real diamonds, but it’s very elegant. And there was an evening glove in there too.” She showed him an elbow-length white glove with gold buttons that had seen better days. It was dirty, moldy,and…
“It’s got that same discoloration onit.”
Leslie nodded. “I’m going to try and wash it off. It’s on the velvet wrap too. But what I don’t understand is how it got insidethere.”
Declan walked over to take a closer look at the situation. “So it was tucked inside this hole. Someone either had to dismantle the stair railing in order to put it down there, or they had to open up the side of it—the outside of the side of the stairs—and put itthere.”
“I was thinking the same thing. But either way—why? What a hassle that would be. Why not just…I don’t know, burn it? Throw it away? Put it in the attic if they wanted to get rid ofit?”
“Hell if I know. How old do you think they are? Any ideas? Maybe that will help answer thequestion.”
“There aren’t any tags on either of them, so that doesn’t help. The fabric of the wrap, though…it seems like it could be pretty old. It’s real velvet, I think—not a polyester blend. So it could be from the early part of last century. And with it not having a tag, that might also be an indication—I don’t know if they were regularly putting tags on clothing until at least thetwenties.”
“There’s that vintage clothes store in town—you could have them look at it. Gilda Herring’s the owner. She’s a little intense, but she knows her stuff.” He handed it back. “I mean, if you really want to findout.”
“Well, I think I do. It’s just so strange—such a strange place. It’s not as if it were a closet… Wait. What if itwasa closet, that place under the stairs? That would explainit.”
Declan peered down into the hole again, shining the flashlight she’d obviously been using. “It’s only that narrow space, Leslie. It doesn’t appear to be attached to a larger space like a closet. Besides, at this height of the stair rail, it’s much too low to be a closet. It’s only a few inches off the ground up to two feet. Not really closetspace.”
“True. But it could be a hidey-hole sort of thing. Not a full-fledged closet. But you’re right.” She smiled up at him, a little bit of bashfulness in her expression. “I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much, but it is. I guess I’m a Nancy Drew atheart.”
“Well, the only way to know for sure would be to take a closer look at the wall here, on the outside of the stairs. Looks like the wallpaper is pretty old—been here a long time. If it was put over it to cover up a closet—or hidey-hole door,” he added with a sudden grin at her, “it was a whileago.”
“Right. Well.” She stepped back. “Thanks for your help and thoughts on this. I’ll— Oh, wait. There was something else down there. I was just getting a hanger to try and fish it out when youarrived—”
“You mean when I scared the shit out of you?” he saiddryly.
“Yes. Guess I’m going to get some motion-detector lights out there in the back so you don’t do that again.” She grinned, holding his eyes for just long enough that he felt a definite sizzle of attraction. Then she pointed to the hole again. “It looked like something metal down there. At least the space isn’t big enough to hold a skeleton.” Leslie laughed, but there was a tinge of nervousness in herchuckle.
“Want me to try?” heasked.
“Your arms are longer,” shereplied.
“That theyare.”
“But a little more…muscular,” she added, and her voice dropped slightly on the last syllables. “Maybe you won’tfit.”
Was he imagining it, or had her cheeks turned a littlepinker?
“Only one way to find out,” he saidcheerily.
Declan wasn’t an ass—he knew (and appreciated) that women noticed the way he looked, the way his occupation had caused his arms and shoulders to develop into smooth, sleek muscles. He’d made certain he had the legs and an ass to match by biking and running as well. That was part of the reason he was more than a little uncomfortable with Stephanie’s girlfriends being around when he was shirtless—or even in a tight tee. It just didn’t feel right when they gawked athim.
But Leslie Nakano was a grown woman, and he didn’t mind it at all that her eyes seemed to linger on his arms. Not that he only wanted to be appreciated for his muscles. But it wasn’t a bad way tostart.
He turned his thoughts from this unexpected path and focused them on the opening. Shining the flashlight down inside, he didn’t see much of anything but debris andshadows.
“Maybe it would be easier to look behind the wallpaper, just to see if there’s an old door or cubbyhole,” Leslie said. “It’s going to be a big project—there’s no need for you to waste your time. I’m sure you have other things todo.”
Declan paused. Here was the opportunity to excuse himself, escape, grab a bite to eat, meet up with Baxter for an IPA…think about—maybe even work on—the other project that awaited him back home. Instead of doing the logical thing, he heard himself saying, “I don’t really have much else going on. I don’t mind helping, and I’m a little curious too. But didn’t you say you had to meet your aunt fordinner?”
Way to go. Now he was giving her the chance to escape. A good idea, that, to befair.
