“If you want a book that will keep you guessing and getting up in the middle of the night because ‘you just have to know,’ this is it.”
She pulled another piece of paper out of her purse and thrust it out toward him.
“I'm looking for this piece,” she said, thrusting the picture of the cabinet at him.
Winter glanced up after taking a sip of tea. He shrugged. “You want to steal that?”
“I don’t want to steal it. I don’t want to steal anything. I need to know how I can get into the house to see this piece...I need you to tell me how to do that.”
Winter let out a chuckle. “Try the 92nd Street Y. Maybe they’ve added B and E for Beginners to their course list.”
A bolt of anger spiked within her. “Did Doc mention that I'm serious?”
Winter nodded. “He said you were an earnest, intelligent, and enterprising young woman. Where are you from?”
“Somewhere over the rainbow,” she snapped. “What does it matter?”
“You're a beautiful girl, Katerina. Surely you can find a less dangerous, more pleasant way to earn a living.”
“Not an option,” she said.
“Then take my advice, earnest, intelligent, enterprising young woman—pack up Toto and head back to Kansas. This is not the place for you.”
“Not an option,” she repeated.
On her knees, she tore open the chest doors to find it crammed with magazines and books.
Four minutes.
She threw the books out onto the carpeted floor.
“Uh, first rule of breaking and entering,” he murmured at her elbow. “Don't make a mess.”
Kat ignored him. With a sigh, he knelt down, making neat piles.
Katerina thrust her arms inside the chest up to the elbow, searching for the latch to the fake panel. Goddamnit, she thought, her inside voice high pitched and hysterical. Where is it? WHERE IS IT? Then her fingers found it. She pulled and a panel gave way. She reached behind and her hand touched something square with round loops. The tape. She yanked it out, staring at it. She made a noise, something between a giggle and a cry. She found Winter staring at her, his expression soft, his smile genuine. He chucked her lightly under the chin.
“You did good.”
Five minutes.
Kat shoved the books back in, Winter redoing her work behind her. “Don't quit your day job,” he said.
A door closed, followed by the sound of running water.
They froze, their eyes locking.
Someone was inside the house.
The water shut off.
Footsteps sounded.
Someone was coming toward the bedroom.
Oh God, Kat thought.
“Time’s up,” Winter said.
