Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] by Janet Lane-Walters Page A

lonely people together.
    Don ruffled Megan's hair. “Button, how would you like to live near Aunt Katherine."
    She nodded. “We bake cakes and cookies and see big Rose Prairie. Pop, you come too?"
    "I just might."
    Don lifted Megan from the chair. “Is Bonnie's play house still in the backyard?"
    "Sure is,” Lars said. “Might need some paint and repairs before it's ready for use."
    The phone rang. Lars headed to the living room. For a moment I wondered why he hadn't used the portable one on the counter. Then I realized if the call was about Bonnie, he wouldn't want Don to hear.
    "This will work,” Don said.
    "I agree."
    As I tested the cookies to see if they were cool enough to store, I thought about what Lars had said about his retirement plans. Would that make our marriage impossible? I couldn't imagine living near Bonnie. Though I hadn't accepted his proposal, I felt a moment of regret.
    Lars waved from the doorway. “That was Rafe. He's found something he wants us to see.” Excitement and hope filled his voice.
    Don looked from his father to me. “Did he find the place where you were held?"
    Lars stared at the floor. “He didn't say, but that's a good possibility."
    "Then go. I'll take care of the cookies. Even leave you one or two."
    By the time I had my jacket buttoned, Lars was in the car. I slipped into the passenger's seat. “What did he find?"
    "Bonnie's car."
    "How?"
    "By accident. After the cabbie told him where he picked me up, Rafe started a search in the area for a house that was for rent or sale. Your suggestion, I believe."
    "Mere speculation based on the things you told me about the house. Musty smell. A cot as the only furniture."
    A frown wrinkled his brow. “A table and two chairs. A different room. That's where I found my jacket."
    "Anything more."
    "Nothing."
    A short time later Lars drove into an area of town where the streets twisted and turned. Though the houses were smaller that the ones where Lars lived, they were behind stucco walls. He spotted Bonnie's car and parked at the curb. After he left the car, he stopped. Then he walked to an iron gate.
    "What's wrong?” I asked.
    "I think...that's it."
    "What?"
    "That's the house."
    Rafe reached us in time to hear Lars. “Are you sure?"
    "Positive."
    "Let me check the list of properties a realtor gave me. If this house is on the list, we can get in."
    He and Lars strode away. While they were engrossed in making plans, I walked to the gate and peered at the house. Wouldn't hurt to look.
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    Chapter 7
    ~
    El Descubrimento Dorado
    -
    I examined the unique grillwork of the gate and reached for the handle. With a low eerie groan, the gate opened far enough for me to squeeze through. The noise had startled me. Afraid the men had heard, I turned to look for them. To my relief they remained halfway down the block beside Rafe's dark sedan, engaged in an animated conversation complete with hand gestures. Not wanting to alert them, I slipped through the narrow gap then paused to study my surroundings.
    The adobe house was squat and sand-colored. The garden, touched by winter, was brown and barren. Small patches of dirty snow were scattered across the lawn. Bushes with gnarled branches lined the walk. Against the side wall, a bench stood. A pair of trees had been trimmed to form an arch above the bench and probably provided shade from the summer sun.
    The men's voice rose from a low drone. I peered toward the street and saw them slowly making their way toward the house. Though I could await their arrival, all I wanted was a few minutes to discover if I could see inside—unless I found a way to enter.
    Dark green shutters covered the front windows and prevented a view of the rooms on either side of the entrance. I turned the knob and wasn't surprised to find the door locked.
    As I strolled toward the rear of the house, I noticed a slat missing from one of the side window shutters. I slid between two bushes and peered