Since You've Been Gone by Carlene Thompson Page B

“Why? You think maybe it wasn’t some harmless prowler up there? And hey, what are you doing here if Helen never called the police? What’s going on?”
    Bill did not want to get into specifics. “We’re not sure what’s going on, Mr. Moreland. Deputy Curry and I just need to check the attic. Mr. Klein, you wait here with the Morelands.”
    â€œThis is
my
building,” Klein blustered purely from reflex,then mopped his head again. “But you go ahead. Here’s the key.”
    Bill and Curry walked to the end of the hall. Bill stooped and looked at the old-fashioned lock on the attic door. “Scratch marks. It’s been picked. Wonder low long it’s been like this?”
    Curry didn’t answer. Bill pulled on latex gloves and opened the door. Hot, stinking air washed over them. “I hope that smell is just from dead rats,” Curry muttered. “Footprints in the dust.”
    â€œStep around them,” Bill said unnecessarily.
    As they climbed the stairs, a pulse beat in Bill’s stomach. The sweet, rotting smell grew stronger and hot water seeped into his mouth. Molly’s round face with her hopeful eyes flashed in front of him. Please, he silently begged a universe he usually found implacable.
Please
.
    The attic was poorly lit by a few incandescent bulbs. Bill didn’t know what he’d expected to be up here—relics of the once-opulent Dobbs Hotel? Instead the attic was nearly empty, with only a few sets of metal shelves bearing sealed boxes along the walls. In the middle of the space sat a garishly printed plastic patio set complete with fringed umbrella looking as if it waited for a party of ghosts. Skeeter’s grandfather and friends, perhaps.
    â€œChief, take a look at this.”
    Bill walked to where Curry stood over a rumpled, rough-textured white blanket and a gray stuffed animal. Kneeling down, Bill took in the animal’s floppy ear and silly grin. “It’s Todd’s dog Tramp.”
    Curry pointed toward a big rust-colored splotch on the dog’s white chest. “Did the toy already have that stain?”
    â€œNo.” Bill swallowed hard. “And that stain looks like blood.”

C HAPTER S IX
1
    Bill wasn’t sure why he first called Rebecca with the news of finding Tramp. Maybe it was because she’d given him the tip about Todd being in a hot, dusty, deserted place. Maybe it was because he was putting off telling Molly as long as possible.
    Rebecca agreed to meet him at Molly’s. News like this should not be delivered by phone, nor should Molly be without the support of her closest friend. Right before he left the office, Bill impulsively called Clay Bellamy. Bill thought Molly might be in need of a doctor to administer another tranquilizer. She might even need hospitalization. Clay had just gotten off his shift at the hospital but said he would immediately head for Molly’s.
    As Rebecca neared Molly’s house, she was dismayed to see at least six cars and a news van stationed in front, even though it was past midnight. She parked nearly a block away and walked casually toward the house, wishing she knew a way to dart around to the back door. But on her first visit she’d noticed that a chain-link fence enclosed the back lawn. The front door would be her only choice.
    She lowered her head and turned in the front walk. Almost immediately a woman appeared beside her and said, “Excuse me, are you family?”
    Rebecca looked up. The woman was young with perfect features, avid blue eyes, and artfully messed hair the color of butter. “Who are
you?
” she asked.
    â€œKelly Keene, WPCT News. We’ve heard there’s been a break in the case.”
    â€œI don’t know anything about a break and I’m in a hurry.”
    â€œCertainly you know about Todd’s bloodstained toy being found in the attic of Klein Furniture.”
    Shock coursed through Rebecca that