Anonymously Yours by Shirley McCann Page A

co-workers would be a great source of information.”
    Rummaging through my purse I located my notebook to take notes when I noticed the name and number for the vacant building. I realized we’d have to finish soon so we wouldn’t miss the owner.
    Uncle Bob chewed another fry, then gulped the last of his drink. “By any chance did you save the newspaper clippings?”
    “Of course, I did,” I answered. “The Internet is also a good source.”
    He pursed his lips as if the Internet was a new tool for him. Again, I wondered how he’d managed all these years. Maybe all he needed was a little boost of confidence. With any luck, I’d be able to help with that. If I didn’t die first.
    “The newspaper article sometimes names the victim’s employer,” he said. “And if we’re lucky, she was also listed in the phone book. If we get her address, we might be able to talk with some of her neighbors.”
    He eased out of the booth and stood up. “I guess we’d better get down the street if we want to see that building, huh?”
    I thought I noticed a renewed sense of hope in Uncle Bob. Maybe it was just my imagination. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
    Even more than ever, I wanted Uncle Bob to help me solve the murder of Angelica Belmont. Not only for my own safety, but for his deflated ego as well.
    ****
    “Are you thinking of opening up a business?” The owner, who had identified himself as Bob Clark, met us promptly at the vacant unit.
    I glanced at Uncle Bob, but he didn’t respond, so I took the lead. “My uncle owns a private detective business,” I said. “Right now, we just wanted to look and see what’s available.”
    He didn’t seem to mind that we weren’t actually shopping for a space at the moment. “Just take your time and look around,” he said. “Maybe this will be just what you’re looking for.”
    He turned the key in the lock and opened the door. My breath caught in my throat. The room wasn’t much larger than the one Uncle Bob had now, but it offered so many more possibilities. One wall boasted a floor to ceiling bookcase. A few of the cabinets even had doors with locks on them.
    While no furniture occupied the space, I was already picturing ways to decorate. Uncle Bob’s old desk, although weathered, would look perfect after a bit of refinishing. We could also check out garage sales for a sofa, a few coffee tables, and maybe some table lamps.
    A staircase to my left caught my attention. I turned to Uncle Bob, who also seemed to be assessing the room’s possibilities. My hopes soared with enthusiasm. I hoped Uncle Bob would consider moving his business and home to this building. Maybe if we could solve the Angelica Belmont case, it would give him a reason to revamp his entire agency.
    “Let’s go check out the upstairs,” I suggested.
    Uncle Bob followed behind as I took the steps two at a time. A short hallway to the right ended at a wooden door. I pushed it open and swallowed hard.
    “Look at this place!” I said to my uncle. I spun around noticing the hopeful smile on his face. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
    The apartment wasn’t large. It had less space than the house he rented now, but it was cozy and comfortable.
    Uncle Bob walked into the tiny kitchen and ran his fingers along the countertop.
    “You could put a few barstools here,” I said, standing on the opposite side of the counter.
    I followed him into another small room. “This must be the bedroom,” I said. “It’s plenty big enough for your bed and dresser,” I told him. Off to the right I opened a door into the bathroom. “No bathtub,” I said. “Just a walk-in shower. But who takes a bath these days anyway?”
    Uncle Bob nodded his approval. “It does have possibilities,” he admitted. He looked at me and smiled. “Maybe I’ll do a bit of number crunching and see what I can come up with,” he said. “Nice area too.”
    I tried not to get my hopes up, but it wasn’t easy. I knew