Hidden in the Wall

by Valerie Hansen

  The notion made her smile. Attracted? That was putting in mildly. Like it or not, she was crazy about the guy, and not simply because she seemed to be in constant need of a bodyguard.

  Trevor had given a lot of thought to how he might trap whoever had been causing all the trouble. Some of the earlier incidents didn’t seem to fit the pattern that had eventually emerged, but he figured he’d understand it all once he caught the perpetrator. His biggest concern was how to implement his plans without Steff sticking her nose into them and putting herself in unnecessary jeopardy.

  Finally he decided he’d appeal to her in private after the closing meeting of VBS. He figured he’d take her out somewhere nice, treat her to an expensive meal, then tell her what he was going to do and hope she accepted it. He caught up to her while she and the others were straightening the church kitchen for the final time.

  “Good job, ladies,” he said. “All the kids were very impressed.” He grinned over at Steff. “And thanks for remembering to wear your tiara tonight. My class is convinced you’re royalty now.”

  She giggled and touched it lightly. “My pleasure. I wasn’t sure I could even find the thing after all this time. It’s not something I have reason to wear often.”

  “It looks great with your apron,” Trevor teased. “I wish your folks could see you tonight.”

  “The picture Scott took was bad enough,” she countered. “My mother was on the phone the morning the paper came out, berating me for getting caught on camera.”

  “It was for a good cause.” He took her aside to add, “How about letting me treat you to a late supper or a cup of coffee?”

  Steff glanced at the others. “Some of us had talked about stopping for a latte on the way home.”

  “You two go on,” Cassie quickly said. “We’re almost done. Alicia and I can take care of the rest ourselves.”

  “Well, if you’re sure…”

  Trevor reached around to untie Steff’s apron strings. “Thanks.”

  “Hey, I never said I’d go with you.”

  “You’ll go.” He was grinning as he balled up the apron and tossed it to his sister. “I have some interesting news to share and I know how curious you are. You won’t be able to stand the suspense if you turn me down.”

  “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  Trevor laughed. “When it comes to reading you, Princess, I’m a regular genius.”

  Although Steff was making a face, he knew he had her.

  She removed the tiara as she crossed to a cabinet and retrieved her purse and laptop. “Okay. You win. But this had better be good.”

  “The supper I’m going to treat you to or the news?” he asked, chuckling as ushered her from the room.

  She elbowed him in the ribs, then smirked when he flinched. “The news,” she said. “Because what I have to tell you in return is definitely not good.”

  “The trustees granted the library contract to Fowlers?”

  “No. Not yet,” Steff said with a shake of her head. “But it looks as if I’m never going to be able to prove to my father what crooks they are.”

  “The Lord will take care of it,” Trevor said seriously.

  When she looked up at him and said, “Like He took care of poor Adam?” he knew his recent prayers for understanding of her spiritual struggle had just been answered. Too bad the problem wasn’t one he could fix.

  Instead of going to the Half Joe for coffee and taking the chance of being joined by Cassie and Alicia, Steff suggested they visit Burt’s again.

  There was no real privacy in the pizza parlor but the noise level was so high that it was practically impossible for anyone to overhear an entire conversation. It was hard enough for Steff to make out what Trevor was saying.

  She scooted her chair closer to his and leaned her elbows on the table to finish what she had begun to explain. “When I went to the cellar and checked the record storage box, it was empty. Totally. Whatever was in it had been removed.”

  “And you think Fowlers are responsible?”

  “Them, or someone who wants to keep their past cheating quiet for them.” She clasped her hands under her chin. “Maybe we were wrong about this. Suppose it wasn’t the clue from the wall that they were after in the first place?”

  “Everything that’s happened doesn’t fit together neatly. I realized that myself a few days ago. The big question is, was the prowler after one thing in one place and something else in your apartment? Or was it even the same person?”

  “Neither explains the damage to your office.”

  “You’re right.” Trevor leaned back, thoughtful, his brow furrowing. “I guess our next move should be for me to set up the trap I told you about and see who takes the bait.”

  “I don’t like that idea. Not one bit,” Steff said. “First, you could get in trouble for being in the administration building without me, especially if something goes wrong and you can’t nab the other guy. Second, if someone was after the records instead, he already stole them. We’re stuck unless we can convince him he missed some.”

  “That shouldn’t be hard for you. Just tell your dad you’ve got proof and you’ll dig it out of the basement when you have some free time. Word will get around.”

  “Okay. Suppose that works. What do we do about the other thing? Have you made a prop to use?” Saying that immediately made her reach under the table and touch her computer case to make sure it was still safe and secure. She breathed a relieved sigh. All was well. The case was leaning against her leg, just as she had left it.

  At that moment Steff wondered if she should reveal her change of plans to Trevor. She decided against it. The less he knew about what she’d done with the real initial the fewer lectures she’d be subjected to.

  Yes, she knew it was risky to carry the thing around with her. And, yes, she knew she should have already given it to the police. But she hadn’t found a single thing missing from her apartment and since she was still rooming at the Mossy Oak Inn, she didn’t see any reason to hurry. Whatever the initial stood for, it had lain undiscovered for years and years. Surely a few more days wouldn’t make any difference.

  Steff told several key people that she was about to reveal a big secret the following day and that her proof was locked up in the basement beneath her office. She knew word had successfully spread when she began receiving queries about it from people she didn’t really know.

  Trevor had arrived that afternoon, slipped into the basement and simply stayed put. When Steff was ready to go home she made sure she was the last one to leave for the day, then went downstairs to tell him she was preparing to lock up.

  The sunlight was fading due to the lengthening shadows but there was still enough illumination coming through the small, high windows that she didn’t need to turn on the overhead lights.

  She paused at the bottom step. “Trevor?”

  “Over here.” He stood.

  Steff nearly jumped out of her skin. Her heart was pounding. She placed a hand at her throat. “Oh, dear. I knew you were here and you still startled me.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t want to show myself until I was sure you were by yourself.”

  “That’s okay. You know how uptight I’ve been.”

  “We all have. Is everything ready?”

  “Yes. I’ve passed the word all over campus and the rumors are flying. If our prowler is anywhere around, he should be well aware that he missed something in his first attempt.”

  “What about the initial? Did you mention that, too?”

  “Not exactly. I didn’t want to sound too careless or naive. But I did insinuate that what I planned to reveal was hidden down here and was very important.”

  “Good. That should do it. Now go home, Steff.”

  She hesitated in spite of her still racing heart. “You’re sure that’s what you want? I could always hide upstairs in my office.”

  “No. I told you. I don’t want you anywhere near here. I have enough to worry about without
wondering if you’re safe.”

  “Okay.” Her voice gentled to add, “Be careful?”

  “I’ll be fine as long as I know you’re not in danger.”

  Nodding, she started to turn, then changed her mind and approached him instead.

  Resting her hands on his shoulders she placed a fleeting kiss on his lips before he could object, then whirled and ran up the stairs.

  Trevor’s face had been shadowed when she’d stolen the kiss so she hadn’t been able to see his expression clearly and didn’t know if he’d been shocked or pleased or upset. At this point it really didn’t matter. The kiss had not been something she’d planned, nor had she taken the time to consider what he might think of her for doing it.

  All she’d cared about, then and now, was letting him know how much she cared about his safety and how deeply grateful she was for his involvement.

  There would be plenty of time to explain her actions in the future. At least, she hoped there would.

  Continuing to shiver in spite of the sultry evening, Steff turned off all the lights in the building, locked up, then headed for her car. Every shadow seemed menacing and the Spanish moss hung from the oaks like specters of evil, hurrying her steps.

  She slid into her car and locked the doors. The remainder of her evening was well planned. She drove to the Mossy Oak Inn, then went straight to her room where she dropped off her purse and laptop, changed to running shoes and grabbed her small, digital camera.

  When she descended a few moments later she detoured through the kitchen to exit by way of the service entrance and avoid being noticed.

  It was a half mile across campus to her office. In less than ten minutes she’d be in a perfect position to hide in the shadows and watch the outside of that building.

  She had to do it. She simply had to. For Trevor. No matter how much being outside alone in the dark terrified her, she owed him that much. And more.

  “I just heard it’s in the basement under the Administration building.”

  “Then get it.”

  “I’m not sure I can. I hear they’ve changed some of the locks.”

  “You never were resourceful enough. If you can’t steal the new key without being seen, get rough with whoever has it and take it by force.”

  “I’ll be recognized.”

  “Not if you wear a mask and gloves.”

  “In Georgia in July? That will attract more attention than if I was running around dressed as a circus clown!”

  This time, the laughter was more normal. “All right. You’re supposed to be the smart one, so handle it your way. Just get that initial.”

  “Maybe I should take some other things, too, so it looks like a regular burglary.”

  “If you’d thought of that in the first place, you wouldn’t have nearly as much to worry about now.”

  “I’m not a common criminal.”

  “You may not be common, but you’re as big a criminal as I am and don’t you ever forget it. Do whatever you need to do. Understand?”

  “Unfortunately, I’m afraid I do.”

  TWELVE

  T he first unusual noise Trevor heard after Steff left was heavy, slow footsteps on the floor above. They weren’t those of a woman in heels, like Steff, they were more muffled, as if made by softer shoes. Men’s shoes, he decided, holding his breath to listen.

  The steps proceeded toward one of the upstairs offices first, then returned and paused at the door to the basement. The lock clicked open. Trevor ducked out of sight.

  Slowly, the prowler descended the staircase. Trevor could see his shadow looming but decided to remain in hiding until he saw what the man did next.

  Suddenly glass broke behind him. The window. Someone else had just shattered one of the small panes at ground level. Heartbeats hammering a staccato in his ears, Trevor hunkered down, held his breath as best he could and waited to see what other disturbing surprises were in store.

  The shadowy figure on the stairs froze, too. Trevor realized he was trapped between the stairway and the window. If he moved a muscle he’d surely reveal his position to one or both of the interlopers. The only thing he was glad about was that he’d been firm with Steff. If she’d been down here with him, he’d have been frantic.

  The man on the stairs crouched as if ready to spring. The prowler at the window stuck his arm inside, unlocked the frame, then raised it and wriggled through the opening backward. He dropped to the floor with a thud and a muttered curse before switching on his flashlight.

  The beam swung across the room in an arc, like the beacon of a lighthouse, then came to rest on the stacks of old records that Steff had carefully arranged as bait.

  Trevor knew the burglar wouldn’t discover the switch unless he stopped to check dates on the contents of the boxes. He didn’t think that was likely. Besides, he intended to stop the theft before it was completed.

  His present concern was who the second man was and what he might be after. Surely, if Fowlers wanted proof of their crooked dealings they wouldn’t send two different men to retrieve it.

  His jaw clenched. So did his fists. Of course. One of the men must be after the old records and the other was looking for the incriminating evidence he and Steff had discovered in her office wall.

  It left him with the choice of which man to tackle. He wasn’t enthused about taking them both on at the same time, especially not in the dark.

  Father, he prayed silently, barely breathing, what now? What should I do?

  The man on the stairs crept the rest of the way down and stayed in a crouch. Because of his dark clothing, Trevor temporarily lost sight of him.

  Across the room, the flashlight played over the stacks of boxes as its holder worked his way closer to both Trevor and the stairs.

  Suddenly there was a bright flash from the direction of the broken window. The man who had been wielding the flashlight yelled and doused the beam.

  Trevor was temporarily blinded so he knew the others had to be in a similar state. At least, he hoped they were. Before he could lunge at the spot where he’d last seen the flashlight, there was a crashing, scrambling sound.

  Someone shouted an epithet that was as much a grunt as it was a curse. Figuring he’d never have a better chance to gain the upper hand, Trevor yelled, “Everybody freeze!”

  Dead silence followed. Nothing moved. Trevor’s vision was still useless. Colored spots danced in front of his eyes. Arms extended, he started to feel his way toward the area where he’d heard the scuffle.

  Someone hit him dead-center with a body slam and sent him reeling into the stacks of heavy boxes. The shelving he collided with began to wobble, then fell.

  He raised his arms to try to protect himself but there was no way to stop the avalanche.

  The last thing he glimpsed before the darkness of unconsciousness overcame him was someone in black standing over him holding another heavy box. It was raised like a weapon.

  Steff heard the struggle inside begin shortly after she snapped the picture through the window. Her first and only thought was for Trevor’s safety. She’d taken one other digital photo outside before the prowler had crawled through the broken window, but she could tell it hadn’t been clear enough so she’d decided to chance using the flash for her second shot.

  What she hadn’t considered in her eagerness to capture an identifiable image was what the flash might do to Trevor. Now, however, she was more than worried about him. She was panic-stricken.

  She raced to the front door of the Administration building, found it unlocked and jerked it open. Flipping on lights as she went, she saw the basement door ajar.

  Without considering her own safety, she shouted, “Trevor! Are you okay?” as she ran toward the stairs.

  A dark clad figure barreled up the stairs and crashed into her, spinning her around and nearly knocking her down.

  Take a picture, her mind screamed. She’d been gripping the camera in her left hand. She pointed it in the general direction of the fleeing man and
clicked the shutter, hoping she’d captured his image.

  She was about to turn back to the stairway when she was grabbed roughly from behind.

  A gloved hand covered her nose and mouth, stifling her scream. She thrashed. Kicked. Writhed with unbridled anger, determined to free herself.

  The strong, masculine arms held her tight. She couldn’t get a breath. The camera slipped from her grasp and crashed onto the hard floor of the foyer with a splintering sound.

  Sparks of light flickered at the periphery of her vision. As she began to black out she had time for only one coherent thought. God, please help me!

  “Steff!” Trevor called. “Can you hear me? Are you up there? Anybody?”

  He wasn’t certain whether he’d heard her scream or had merely dreamed it as he regained his senses, but he wasn’t going to lie here and wonder. Knowing the princess, she could very easily have been responsible for the camera flash that had blinded everyone. It would have been totally in character for her to have disregarded his warnings and put herself in danger by doing things her way.

  He pushed the boxes off his legs and rubbed his aching head as he sat up. This evening had definitely not worked out the way he’d planned. So much for playing detective and setting a successful trap.

  Trevor stood slowly, painfully, and started for the stairs. The lights upstairs were blazing. If it had been Steff’s cry he’d heard, chances were she’d gotten a good look at their prowler. He only hoped and prayed the man had not seen her.

  Steff came to her senses while being dragged across the campus lawn. Her captor was having to use both arms to carry her and had released her mouth, apparently assuming she’d fainted and would remain unconscious.

  She started to resist, then decided to play dead for a few more minutes to give her head more time to clear.

  Tears filled her eyes as she thought of Trevor. What had happened to him? Why hadn’t he answered when she’d called to him? Was he hurt? Or worse?