I looked around the room as if I hadn’t already searched everything but then decided to go to the closet again. Who knows, maybe sixteen times a charm?
I started going through the hangers. They were now empty. All the clothes had been removed, checked, then tossed on the floor. I reached for the boxes of random trinkets she had and went through those again to no avail, and then finally, I dropped down to start going through the mountains of rumpled clothes.
I spent an hour picking up things, shaking them good, checking pockets, then tossing them aside. Nothing. Again. I knew this routine, but there was comfort in trying, so I kept at it. I was ready to be done with this for the night when I tossed a dress bag behind me and heard a clink as it hit the wood floor.
I spun around to snatch it back up. I shook it again and frowned. I swore I heard something in that bag. I opened it then and started digging in it. I found the tags, a small bag of extra buttons, and a key.
I ripped my arm out in shock and stared at the tiny bronze item as if it held the cure to my sanity. What was this key for, and how did it relate to Scout?
I kicked through the clothes to leave the closet and plopped down on my bed. I turned the key over and found a small number engraved on it. I brought it within inches of my face and stared hard at it until I concluded that it was a phone number.
Despite the time of night, I called. Almost everywhere has a night shift these days. It was smart business. Sure enough, there was a click, and then I heard, “Lopez Storage.”
“Storage? As in units?” I asked the man who answered.
His reply came with a loud yawn of boredom. “That’s the one. How can I help you?”
“I—” I blinked, trying to come up with something fast. “I found my key. It has the phone number on it but not the unit information. It’s been so long, I can’t remember.”
“Name on the unit?”
“Scout.”
“Is that the last name?” I could hear the clicking of a keyboard in the background.
“First.”
I continued to hear the clicking, but then finally, his voice returned. “I’m sorry, but no one is renting a unit by that name, first or last. Maybe it’s an old key?”
“You don’t keep records of old renters?” I accused.
“Not after ten years. Sorry.”
“All good. Thanks,” I hung up. Tossing my phone on the bed. I stared at the key. Something about this didn’t sit right. Why would she keep the key if she no longer used the storage? I turned it over again and blinked a few times as if I wasn’t seeing this right. There was a unit number on it. How did I miss that before?
I picked up my phone and searched for the phone number with the name Lopez Storage. Sure enough, a location came up.Los Angeles.
I started clicking on links, trying to find exactly where this place was. It was in the middle of a neighborhood called Echo Park.
I began reading pages on the community, the shops, and the history. I was fascinated by it all. Had this been where Scout had grown up? Finally, after an hour, I moved to figure out how to get there. Fast was key.
I started checking flights. As I began to book one, a notification popped up, asking me if I was a vampire. I clicked yes and was told I couldn’t board that specific flight. I would have to get a blood-specific flight.
How dumb.
So, I searched and finally found one in five days for L.A. I bought the ticket and then looked around. Maybe a little cleaning would do me some good.
I went to work getting the apartment back in shape. My mind was relaxed now that I had a clue about Scout’s potential whereabouts. Was this once her home? Maybe she went back.
It took me until morning, but finally, the apartment was ready for her to come home.
I slept somewhat peacefully that day. Not entirely, but the bags under my eyes were a little lighter in the evening.
With days between me and the plane ride, I had nothing to do besides pack. I was lying in bed, holding The Fool card in my hands, flicking it between my fingers, wondering why she left it for me when my phone rang.
I looked at it and cocked an eyebrow when my brother’s name appeared on the screen. I debated refusing the call but finally clicked the green button.
“Yes?”
