George ran a hand through her short, dark hair. “Do you think that there was something hidden in the trunk all along?”
Nancy nodded. “That’s what I’m guessing. The trunk has always been a hiding place. And someone who knew what was in it broke into the house and stole it.”
“Not necessarily,” Terry pointed out. “It could have been taken by someone who wasn’t sure what was inside. And we don’t know that the thief actually found anything. For all we know, the hidden compartment was empty.”
“No way, Dad,” Amy said.
“You had no idea the trunk had a false bottom?” Nancy asked Terry.
“Not until ten minutes ago.”
“How about you, Amy?”
She shook her dark head. “I would have used it for my jewelry if I knew.”
“So,” Nancy concluded, “the question is, who did know about the secret compartment?”
There was silence in the studio, and then Terry sighed. “There’s at least one answer to that,” he said quietly. “Nick Finney.”
“That’s who I come up with, too,” Nancy said. “Did Nick ever—”
“Excuse me,” Terry said as the phone rang. He picked up the receiver, listened, then handed it to Nancy. “For you. Mr. Mai.”
Surprised, Nancy took the phone.
“Ms. Drew,” said a cultured voice with a slight accent. “This is Binh Mai of the Fe T’sui Gallery. You wanted to speak with me?”
“Yes,” Nancy said. “I’m a student majoring in Asian art history, and I’m doing a paper on jade carvings. I was hoping I could interview you.”
Mr. Mai hesitated. “I’m sorry, Ms. Drew, but I’m a very busy man, and I’m afraid I don’t have the time to meet with you.”
“I won’t take up much of your time,” Nancy said quickly. “It’s just that I’ve heard your gallery has one of the finest collections in the area, and that your expertise—”
Mr. Mai sighed and interrupted her. “Very well. Come Tuesday at eleven-fifteen. I can give you exactly forty minutes.” He hung up before she had a chance to accept.
“You’re going to see Mr. Mai?” Bess asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Maybe one of us should go with you,” George suggested.
Nancy smiled at her loyal friend. “Thanks,” she said, “but if Mr. Mai is involved with the thefts, I don’t want to make him suspicious. It’s better if I go on my own.”
“He may also get a visit from the police,” Terry said. “I called Brower and told him about the trunk. He and his technician will be by in the morning to have a look.”
“What a way to start the day,” Bess said. “A visit from Detective Brower.”
Much later that evening Nancy curled up beside the fireplace with a mystery novel. Bess and George had gone to a movie she had already seen. Amy was asleep, and Terry was still in his studio, trying to finish a piece for his next show.
Nancy had almost finished the book when Terry came out of his studio. “I need a break,” he said. “And you wanted to ask me about Nick Finney. Let’s go outside for a few minutes.”
Nancy put on a sweater and followed Terry onto one of the decks that surrounded the house. She took a deep breath of fir-scented air. Above them the winter stars shone through a canopy of redwoods.
“It sure is beautiful here,” Nancy said.
Terry smiled. “I’ve always liked it. And I thought it was a safe place for my family, but the things that have been happening lately make me wonder.”
“Terry, if Nick knew about the false bottom on the trunk, do you think he hid something in there? Maybe that’s why your house was broken into three times—the intruder was looking for the trunk all along.”
Terry gazed out into the darkness. “Maybe.”
“I know this sounds crazy,” Nancy went on, “but is it also possible that Nick is the one who stole the trunk, that he wanted his property back?”
“No,” Terry said, “it’s not. First of all, Nick disappeared over twenty years ago in the middle of an enemy attack. You’re talking about someone coming back from the dead. And even if by some miracle he were alive, he wouldn’t have had to break into my house to get his own trunk. All he had to do was ask. I’d have gladly given it back to him.”
Nancy had no answer for that. Instead, she asked, “What else do you know about Nick?”
Terry shrugged. “He was a good soldier. He was especially good at things like concealing himself and following other people.”
“What do you know about his disappearance?”
“Nothing more than I already told you. But you might try calling the local veterans’ group. Nick originally came from this area, so they might have some records on him. I can give you the number.”
“Great. I’ll try them in the morning.” Nancy headed back into the house, leaving Terry staring into the trees. “Good night,” she said. “And thanks.”
• • •
Early the next morning, before Amy left for school, Detective Brower and the technician returned. Terry led them into the studio and showed them the reconstructed trunk. The technician took photographs.
