“I heard voices and I—” She gaped at her cousin. “Steven! Was that you in the basement? And what happened to your head?”
“I woke up early and thought I’d make another attempt to find that box of your mother’s personal items we were searching for last week. I lost my grip on one of the cartons on a top shelf. I was hoping to locate the one you were after and surprise you.”
“Well, you succeeded on the surprise part.” She laid a hand on her chest. “Come into the kitchen and we’ll attend to that cut.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure I can take care of it myself.”
“Humor me. Besides, I’d like Brad to weigh in on whether it requires stitches. You didn’t black out, did you?”
“No, and I don’t want to bother the sheriff with this. Iimagine he has far more important things to do than deal with a scratch.”
Brad inspected the cut. “It’s more than a scratch, and I can spare a few minutes.”
“Well...” Steven shrugged. “If you’re willing.”
He followed Natalie into the kitchen and sat at the table.
She continued to a pantry on the other side of the room, removed a box, and set it beside her cousin. “First aid supplies. What do you think, Brad?”
“I’d like to clean it up, take a closer look. That okay with you, Steven?”
“Sure.”
“There are latex gloves in here too.” Natalie took the lid off the box. “Leftovers from the Covid era.”
Brad pulled out a pair and tugged them on. After spraying a sterile gauze pad with antiseptic, he swabbed the gash. “Good news. No stitches required. But it should be cleaned and bandaged.”
“Will you handle that if I play nurse?” Natalie positioned herself beside the box.
“I’ll be happy to.”
As Natalie handed him supplies while he took care of the cut, she filled Steven in on the events of the night.
He stared at her as the story wound down. “I can’t believe all this is happening in such a quiet, out-of-the-way place.”
“Me neither.” She pulled a large bandage from the box. “We were lucky Cara had to come back or we’d never have confirmed that we have a trespasser. Brad, I believe I’ll reconsider those cameras. Why don’t we try two initially?”
“Sounds like a plan. I know a reputable firm that can handle installation for you. I’ll have someone stop by.” He reached past Steven and held out his hand for the bandage.
She passed it over. “Thank you for everything—including your housekeeper recommendation. I met with Margie Tuesday,and she’ll be starting next week. She was very pleasant and struck me as a hard worker.”
“Accurate on both counts.” He finished securing the bandage and addressed Steven. “I don’t expect you’ll have any repercussions from that, but blows to the head can be tricky. If you get a severe headache or experience any nausea or dizziness, you should go to urgent care.”
“Thanks. But you seem more in need of medical attention than I do, with that limp.”
“I may stop there on my way home. Natalie, I’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll walk you out. Steven, there’s coffee on if you want a cup.” She took the lead to the front door. “How far away are you parked?”
“Just over the rise.”
“Would you like Steven or me to give you a lift to your car?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can manage.”
“Thank you again for all your efforts to get this puzzle figured out. And take care of that ankle.”
“I will. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
