by Millie Mack
Carrie turned the light out and they stood side by side for several moments. There was no sign of a light or any movement near the studio.
“Do you think all that noise alerted the intruder?” asked Charles.
“I’m sure if the noise didn’t, my turning on the lights did. We should still probably check, just to be sure.”
They both went outside to the steps that led to the studio. Carrie insisted that Charles remain at the bottom step while she went up and took a look. Carrie climbed the steps slowly, listening for sounds. Charles watched for any flickers of light coming from inside the studio. When Carrie’s head was level with the window, she peeked through the glass. She saw nothing. She moved up the steps, keeping her head low. She tried the door, but it was locked. She took out her keys and unlocked the door. She listened again. No sounds. She opened the door a fraction, reached in, and flipped on the lights. She flung open the door with such force that it hit the back wall and sprung back toward her. She peeked inside, but saw no movement, no stirrings, nobody. She ventured inside and looked around. The files were closed, the desk drawers shut, and nothing was disturbed. Carrie turned the lights off, locked the door, and left the studio.
“Anything?” asked Charles.
“Nope, maybe it was just a reflection,” responded Carrie, now unsure of what she thought she saw.
They went back inside the house. Charles locked the kitchen door and turned the lights off. Carrie was silhouetted in the moonlight coming through the kitchen window. Charles took her by the shoulders, turned her to him, and kissed her gently on the forehead. Carrie was stunned and a little confused, but offered no resistance.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long, long time. I’ve missed you, Carrie Kingsford. Contrary to what Becker said, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Charles, I don’t…”
“Don’t say anything. I won’t put any pressure on you. We’ll wait until all this is behind us. But remember, starting tonight, we’re working together.”
They left the kitchen. Charles insisted on taking the steps. When they were outside Carrie’s bedroom, Charles kissed her again and hobbled off toward his room.
Carrie got ready for bed, but couldn’t sleep. She lay in the dark wondering about all the events of the last few days. So much was happening. It was hard to keep everything straight. She couldn’t seem to make the connections she needed to solve the puzzle. Now she had a new dilemma. She wanted to remove Charles from her suspect list. Did he stumble on purpose in the kitchen to warn the person in the studio? Were his feelings toward her genuine, or was it… She didn’t finish the sentence.
The thoughts kept repeating in her brain without answers until they were interrupted by a slight sound in the hallway. She quietly arose from her bed and tiptoed to her door. She cracked open her door and looked out.
Christopher was sneaking down the hallway to his bedroom.
25
The next morning, Carrie decided how to deal with intruders in the studio. She took the phone book from the nightstand next to her bed. It wasn’t the newest copy of the massive book, but it served her purpose. She dialed one of the numbers listed, placed her order, and was informed that the job would be completed later that afternoon.
“Yes, I want to make sure these are the type that can’t be duplicated. Good, that’s what I want… There’s one additional piece of information I want noted on the work order. When the workman is finished, he’s to speak to no one other than myself. Is that understood? You won’t need my credit card number. I’ll pay the workman in cash. Great, thanks.”
***
The company was true to its promise. Just before three that afternoon, the green and white Exeter Lock Company van pulled into the Faraday driveway. Charles was at work, Mrs. Faraday had gone to a luncheon, and Christopher was still in school. Carrie was also pretty sure that Suzanne wasn’t around, although she had no idea where she was. Carrie was in the study watching out the window. When the van came down the driveway, Carrie went out through the French doors and met the driver.
No one would know the locks were changed until he or she tried to use the old key. This should help eliminate intruders, both the ones Carrie knew about and the intruders she hadn’t discovered. Maybe a new lock would give her enough time to go through Jamie’s papers undisturbed and find out what Jamie was investigating.
While the locksmith set about his work, Carrie took the opportunity to use Jamie’s printer to print out copies of the photos she took at Pier Seven. By the time she finished her prints, the locks were changed.
“Here you are, ma’am, two new keys, just like you asked.” The locksmith was a big, bulky man, with a round, pleasant face. His pudgy hands opened to reveal two keys that he dropped into Carrie’s palm.
“Now, these are the type of keys that are not easily duplicated?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” He took one of the keys back from her open palm. “See this sort of squiggly scratch in the groove here? That means it’s a key that someone can’t take to the local hardware store and have duplicated.”
“Perfect.”
“Been having problems? Is that why you wanted the locks changed?”
Carrie didn’t want to reveal her real reason for changing the locks. Instead, she said, “The upstairs studio has been here for a long time. Many keys have been given out over the years, and many keys have been lost. It’s just smart in this day and age to get the locks changed once in a while. Don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely, shame more people don’t do this. Especially in older, wealthier neighborhoods like this one. Burglars like these neighborhoods because they know the locks are often old. Let me grab the work order from my truck.” He shut the door and then checked both keys to make sure they worked. He and Carrie went down the steps to his truck. Carrie waited while he totaled the bill.
“According to this work order, you’re paying with cash?”
“I’ve got it right here.” Carrie counted out the amount showing on the work order and added a nice tip.
“Much appreciated. Have a nice day, ma’am, and if you need any other work, just give us a call. Ask for Bo; that’s me,” He said using his thumb to point to his chest.
At that moment Charles pulled into the driveway, followed by another car driven by Jonathan Stone. The two men came and stood next to Carrie and watched as the workman got in his truck and headed out the driveway.
“Locked your keys in the car?” asked Charles.
“No, I have my car keys right here.” She patted her pants pocket. “I changed the lock on the studio door.”
“You should have discussed this with me before making that decision,” Charles said, trying to control his anger.
Carrie held up the extra key.
“What’s that?” asked Charles.
“I had two keys made, one for you and one for me, since we are working together.” She smiled.
“Oh,” Charles said as his initial anger quickly deflated.
“Looks like Carrie has everything under control,” added Stone. “Charles, it’s probably a good idea to have the locks changed. I think Carrie did the right thing.”
“Of course you’re right, Jonathan.” Charles decided he had lost the battle and changed the subject. “Let me get you the folder with the budget numbers.” Charles left Stone and Carrie standing in the driveway while he went inside.
“Did you follow Charles all the way home just to get a folder?” asked Carrie, keeping the conversation going.
“I live only a couple of miles away in the new condos over by the lake area, so this is on my way home. I’d much rather work on budget numbers at home, where there are no interruptions. Also, there is nothing like a good wine to make the numbers much easier to understand.” Jonathan laughed at his own words.
Carrie remembered seeing the new condos when she returned from the library. They were in one of the revitalized areas of TriCity. “I passed that area the other day,” she said. “The
condos look lovely.”
“They are both convenient and comfortable, and the nice thing about new construction is the buyer gets all the latest designs and gadgets. You must come and visit me while you’re here. We’ll share one of those good bottles of wine I mentioned.”
“Jonathan. If you don’t mind I’d like to ask you a confidential question.”
“Of course I don’t mind. I’m delighted you feel you can come to me.”
“Charles mentioned he asked you to check out Suzanne. Did you have any luck finding out more about her background?”
“Well, keep in mind I’m not the police. I’ve had to ask our European bureau chief to work with some of his reporters to see if they can find anything out. So it’s slow going.”
“You haven’t found out anything?” Carrie couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice.”
“No, not exactly my dear. We did find the hotel Suzanne was staying in before she met Jamie. They verified she was from New York and had been in Europe for about two weeks before she met Jamie. That matches what Jamie said. He told us she received a small inheritance and used it to travel to Europe. And we did verify that her name did not appear on any of the local police reports in either New York or Europe. So her story seems to be legitimate”
“Oh I see.”
“I told Charles that if he wanted more information he should hire a detective, but I think it’s a waste to spend money on an investigation that won’t produce much. Of course in the meantime we are still poking around so maybe something else will turn up.”
At that moment Charles returned with the folder. Carrie didn’t ask any more questions and after a few moments Stone said goodbye. After Stone pulled out of the driveway, Carrie turned to Charles.
“I’m sorry, Charles, I should have told you first, but you weren’t around to ask. After last night I decided we shouldn’t wait another day. We need to try to cut down on the traffic through the studio until you and I can figure out what’s happening.”
“No, I snapped too quickly before I had all the facts. Please chalk it up to the fact that it’s been a rough day at work, and I’m tired. Too many late-night adventures, but you did the right thing by changing the locks.”
“Good. I thought you would agree with my decision, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant. I mean I like the fact you’re thinking for both of us.”
Carrie could feel her face growing hot.
Charles continued, “At one time you only thought of me as Jamie’s older brother. Hopefully now you will see me as someone here to help you.”
“I’m fine with that,” she said.
Charles reached over, put his arms around her, and gave her a quick hug. “So where are we in all this?”
“We have two shiny new keys, but no new leads. How’s your knee?”
“It’s much better today. It just needs time to heal.”
26
At first there was no smell of smoke. Carrie became aware that something was wrong when bright light started to fill her bedroom. In her dreamy state, she thought it was the sun coming up. She rolled away from the light toward the clock on the nightstand. She opened one eye and saw on the clock dial it was a little after one. “How could I have slept until one in the afternoon?” she mumbled aloud. Then as the functions of her brained kicked in, she realized the numbers “1:00” on the clock had a small “a.m.” next to them. Good heavens, it’s one in the morning. What is that light?
She arose and went to her window, pulled the curtain back, and gasped. “We’re on fire!” She naturally drew back from the window, but the flames beckoned her for a closer look. It wasn’t the house that was on fire, but Jamie’s studio that was shooting bright orange bursts toward the sky. Carrie spotted Charles opening the garage doors and driving the vehicles out of the burning structure.
Carrie knew she had to get downstairs to be with Charles. As she put on her robe, she continued watching the fire. She was just about to leave her room when she saw a movement in the shadows. She opened the curtain a little wider. The figure waited until Charles entered the garage again before making a move. Carrie was glad she was in a corner room and moved to the other window that gave her a side view of the house. The figure darted from a tree and was now standing next to her car. Based on the height of her car, this person wasn’t large in stature. The figure crouched on the concrete pad and then reached up and opened the door of Carrie’s car. The figure didn’t get into the car. In a split second, the car door closed, and the area was once more in darkness.
The first fire engine swung into the driveway, and its headlights illuminated the figure standing by her car. Christopher Faraday stood on the edge of the driveway and waved the engine toward the garage.
Carrie finished tying her robe and headed downstairs. When she arrived in the kitchen, Mary and Mrs. Cavanaugh were standing together, looking out the open door.
“Oh, Ms. Carrie, isn’t this awful? The entire garage is in flames,” said an emotional Mary.
“Mary, it’s more important we account for everyone in the household. I saw Christopher and Charles outside. Is Mrs. Faraday upstairs, and what about Suz…” Carrie didn’t finish the sentence as Suzanne wandered into the kitchen.
“Mrs. Faraday is fine and in her room,” answered Mrs. Cavanaugh.
“Then that’s what’s important: everyone is okay,” said Carrie.
“Everything is not fine because Jamie’s work is burning. Some of it could have been saved if we had a key to get into the studio,” accused Suzanne.
It was obvious Suzanne knew that the lock on the studio was changed.
“Actually, Suzanne, Charles and I both have keys. But it would be foolish for anyone to risk their life to save papers.” Carrie wanted to change the subject. “Mrs. Cavanaugh, maybe you should let Mrs. Faraday know everyone is safe.”
“I’ll go to Mrs. Faraday,” volunteered Suzanne.
Before Carrie could make a comment, Mrs. Cavanaugh jumped in. “No, Ms. Suzanne, you stay here in the kitchen in case you’re needed. I’ll go up to Mrs. Faraday.”
Carrie didn’t wait for Suzanne’s response and went out the kitchen door. She was greeted by the flashing lights of the fire engines and the mass of hoses that cut like an abstract painting across the lawn. She spotted Charles and Christopher by the corner of the house and went over to them. Charles put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Are you all right?”
“I should be asking you that question. From my window I saw you moving cars out of the garage.”
When Carrie said the words “from my window,” she stared directly at Christopher. She had a feeling Christopher got her meaning because he averted his eyes and looked toward the ground.
“I thought of trying to extinguish the fire with the garden hose, but realized that wouldn’t do anything. It was spreading too quickly. I decided the next best thing to do was get the cars out of the garage.”
“When did you discover the fire?”
“I was working late in my office on some galley proofs for the magazine when I heard the sensor and noticed one of the lights on the fire board was blinking.”
“Fire board?” asked Carrie.
“With the house being as old as it is, I took some precautions. I had the house rewired a few years ago and had a fire board installed. If there’s a fire, a sensor goes off and a light flashes on the board, indicating the location. I could tell by looking at the board the fire was in the studio. So while the system automatically called the fire department, I headed outside.”
“The system indicated the studio, not the garage?”
“There are separate sensors for each location. That’s why I knew I had time to get the cars out. The fire hadn’t set the sensor off in the garage.”
“When I looked out my window, the studio seemed to be fully engulfed in flames. Don’t you think that was kind of quick?”
“If you’r
e asking do I think the fire was deliberately set, you bet I do.”
“How about you, Christopher, what do you think?” Carrie asked.
Christopher still looked guilty as he found his voice and said almost in a whisper, “I’m not sure. Uncle Charles was moving the last car out of the garage. I was directing the fire engines down the driveway. When I looked up the garage was on fire, too.”
After several more minutes, Charles said, “It looks like the firemen have it under control. You two better get back inside. I’ll wait with the firemen in case they have any questions.”
“I’ll wait with you, Uncle Charles,” added Christopher.
“No need, Christopher. Besides, I want you to go up to Grandma and let her know everyone is all right.”
Before Carrie could say another word, Christopher dashed off.
“Mr. Faraday?” A fireman in full gear approached Charles. Behind him was a policeman. “I’m Lieutenant Harriman and this is Officer Kenneth. I’m afraid we couldn’t do much to save the studio, but we did save most of the garage and kept the flames from jumping over to the main house. The fire appears to be out, but we’ll continue wetting down the building to make sure the fire doesn’t reignite.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant Harriman, you and your men did an excellent job. Please give them my thanks.”
“I’ll be sure to do that, Mr. Faraday.” Harriman was clearly pleased by Charles’s compliment. “Do you have any ideas how the fire got started?” asked Officer Kenneth.
“The first I knew we had a fire was when the sensor on the fire board buzzed. By the time I got out here, I barely had time to get the cars out of the garage.”
“The fire appears to have spread rapidly, considering the alarm system and how quickly we responded,” offered Harriman.
“Do you suspect it was deliberately set?” Asked Charles.
“Yes that’s why I came over. I wanted to let you know that as soon as our cleanup phase is complete, our arson team will start their investigation.”