The Librarians and the Lost Lamp by Greg Cox Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve gotta see to my grandnephew.”
    â€œUnderstood, ma’am,” Stone said cordially. “Thanks again for your assistance.”
    â€œComing all this way for library books,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Now I’ve heard everything.…”
    She vanished into her trailer, leaving the team free to talk openly among themselves.
    â€œSeems like we’re not the only people looking for Dunphy,” Ezekiel said. “Who do we think that other crew is?”
    â€œFrom the sound of it, it could be anybody,” Stone said. “Nothing like a million bucks to bring plenty of interested parties out of the woodwork: creditors, scam artists, you name it.”
    A worried expression came over Cassandra’s face. “You think we have competition?”
    â€œToo soon to tell,” Baird said. “This other crew could just be after Dunphy’s money, not anything magic. Heck, we don’t even know what we’re actually looking for yet, let alone if somebody else is after it.”
    â€œMy money’s on a lucky horseshoe,” Ezekiel said. “What with Gus being a gambler and all.”
    â€œI’ll take that bet,” Stone said. “Baird’s right. It could be anything. A lucky coin, a crystal ball, a deal with the devil, or something else entirely.”
    Ezekiel grinned. “Care to make it interesting?”
    â€œWow,” Baird said, rolling her eyes. “One hour in Vegas and you’re both infected with gambling fever.”
    Stone shrugged. “Nothing wrong with a friendly wager.” He smirked at Ezekiel. “Twenty bucks says it’s not a horseshoe.”
    â€œYou got yourself a bet, mate. Better keep a twenty handy.”
    â€œWell, leave me out of it.” Baird sighed impatiently, like a harried schoolteacher trying to ride herd on a passel of unruly kids on a field trip. “Maybe we can get on with our investigation?”
    â€œAny time,” Stone said.
    They headed back to Dunphy’s trailer. Baird nodded at the closed front door.
    â€œTime to work your magic, Jones. Get us into this trailer.”
    â€œA tragic waste of my talents.” He reached for the door handle. “I could break into this tin can with both eyes closed and one hand tied behind my—”
    The door swung open easily.
    Stone was impressed. “Smooth work, man.”
    â€œIt wasn’t me.” Ezekiel sounded vaguely disappointed as he fiddled with the handle. “This lock has already been jimmied, and not by an amateur.”
    Stone scowled. “Not sure I like the sound of that.”
    â€œMe neither,” Baird said, drawing her gun. “Watch yourselves.”
    They cautiously entered the darkened trailer, with Baird taking point and clearing the corners. Stone flipped a light switch, but nothing happened. He guessed that power had been disconnected and drew back some window curtains instead. Sunlight invaded the trailer, revealing that parties unknown had already ransacked Dunphy’s former residence. Closets, cupboards, and drawers had been emptied, their contents carelessly dumped onto the floor. Unpaid bills, most labeled “FINAL NOTICE,” littered the main living area, next to an overturned wastebasket. Plywood and laminate had been peeled off the walls in search of concealed hiding places. Even the mattress in the sleeping compartment had been sliced open and rifled through. Handfuls of cheap foam padding were strewn about the room.
    â€œSomebody’s tossed the place,” Stone said. “But looking for … what?”
    â€œGood question.” Baird put away her gun. “On the bright side, it definitely looks like we’re onto something. This is suspicious, or promising, or maybe promisingly suspicious.”
    Ezekiel surveyed the mess disdainfully, as though he didn’t see anything worth stealing. “You think it was that Middle Eastern crew the old