Pandora's Box by Natale Stenzel Read Free Book Online Page A

studied the rock, as
     though looking for some fragment that might give him a clue. “Just so I know what else I should be looking for.”
    “Like I said, I never got the chance to check. The attorney said there might be family papers or keepsakes inside. Like a
     time capsule, you know? But he was only speculating. He didn’t really know either.”
    “I see.” Moving closer to her remaining kitchen window, he held the rock out to capture the slanted rays of sunlight and peered
     into the opening. He carefully poked a finger inside, skimming the interior. “There’s no sign that anything was ever in there.
     No bits of paper or plastic or dust other than rock.”
    She smiled ruefully. “Not a big surprise, I have to admit. It could be that there never was anything in there. And wouldn’t
     that just figure. My inheritance from a mysterious relative: a hollow rock.”
    “But you never know.” Turning back, he gave her a kind look. “It wouldn’t hurt to look around a little more just to see. I
     mean, the rock’s not too damaged. Maybe the contents—if there were any—made it through the blast okay, too.” Carefully, he
     set the rock down within her reach and turned back to the dusty heap he’d abandoned. “So, we’re looking for old paper, maybe?
     Or just anything that didn’t used to be a wall.” His expression invited a smile.
    The man was humoring her and then some. He didn’t have to do this. “Have I mentioned yet how much I appreciate you doing this?
     I know I haven’t been very nice to you today, considering all you’ve done, but I honestly do appreciate it.”
    “Eh, don’t worry about it. You should see Janelle when she’s on a bitch. Ugly.”
    Mina laughed and watched as he continued to search. After twenty minutes of that, during which time she felt guiltier and
     guiltier, she finally called him to a halt. “Hey, Teague? Really, thanks so much for everything you’ve done, but it’s probably
     not worth your time to search anymore. For all I know this block was empty when they delivered it to me. A shame, but there
     it is.”
    Teague straightened and turned to her. “You sure? I don’t mind looking some more.”
    “I know. And you’re making me feel like crap now.” She grinned at him. “You know, for the bitch part.”
    “Not a problem.” After returning her smile, he glanced around, obviously a bit surprised to realize they were alone in the
     tiny house. His men had left almost an hour ago. “I guess whatever it is will turn up if it’s meant to, right?”
    “That’s how it usually works.” It was late. She’d imposed on the guy enough. “So, you probably need to go, don’t you.”
    He paused, hand stuffed in his hip pocket. “Maybe I could get you dinner or something? To make you more comfortable?”
    The guilt compounded. “No, really. You’ve done too much already. I’ll be fine.” Besides, it was time she worked up some courage
     to face her demons alone.
    “How’s the head? Any double vision or funky hearing or anything?”
    “I’m fine. Just sore. So, I’ll see you in the morning, then?”
    “I—yeah. Bright and early. Don’t get up. I’ll lock up after myself.” He eyed her window doubtfully. “Not that it does any
     good.”
    “I’ll be fine.”
    He still didn’t look happy. “Please, just let me call someone to stay with you. A friend or a neighbor, even someone who could
     just look in on you?” He sounded almost pleading.
    Mina glanced away. Honestly? There wasn’t a soul she could call on for help—and not just because of her talking demon delusions,
     although exposure of her insanity could be problematic. No, Mina might as well be living on a deserted island right now. Such
     a switch from as little as six months ago, when she and Jackson were, as far as she knew, living the perfect little life,
     with the house, the white picket fence, careers they loved, the future on a platter, even friends and co-workers who wished
     them