Unveiled Treasures by Kayla Janz Read Free Book Online Page B

She frowned and sat chewing on her lower lip. “That’s really weird, Dad, ’cause there’s a bunch of boxes and pictures, no, not pictures. More like pieces of artwork. The garage is full of it.”
    “Maybe you’ve got a packrat with designer tastes.”
    “Very funny, Dad, I don’t have packrats, I’ve got raccoons. The sheriff was by the first day I got here and he mentioned something about burglaries in the area. You don’t suppose…of course, it would make perfect sense. Oh God. Dad, I have to go. I need to call the sheriff right away.”
    “Rachel, is something wrong? Tell me what in the hell is going on!” her father demanded.
    “If my suspicions are correct, I think I may have a garage full of stolen property. I promise I’ll fill you in as soon as I know for sure. I need to call the sheriff’s office and see what I can find out. I’ll call you back. I love you. Bye.” She hung up the phone with a shaking hand. She considered dialing 9-1-1 and then decided against it. This wasn’t a life or death emergency. Picking up the receiver again, she dialed information to get the phone number to the sheriff’s office.
    After jotting down the number, she dialed the office and paced the living room. Waiting for the call to connect, Rachel breathed deeply trying to calm her nerves. She jumped when the phone finally rang on the other end.
    “Oak Creek Canyon sheriff’s office, Deputy Logan speaking, how can I help you?”
    “Deputy Logan, my name is Rachel Hardy. Can I speak with Sheriff Bradley please?”
    “Sorry, ma’am. The sheriff is out at the moment. Can I take a message or is there something I can help you with?”
    “I’m not sure if this is anything serious or not but I have some questions about the burglaries that have happened recently. By chance has anyone reported missing any artwork?” she asked hesitantly.
    His tone became more serious. “Yes, there are quite a few pieces of art on the property lists. Why do you ask?”
    “I recently moved in to the old cabin just past the Sandstone sculptures on Highway 89A. Are you familiar with the place?”
    “If you are referring to the old abandoned cabin on the north side of the road, then yes, ma’am, I am. What does all of this have to do with missing art pieces?”
    “I think I might have found them in my garage. When I moved in, there were a bunch of boxes and paintings out there. I thought they belonged to my parents but when I spoke with my father today I found out they’re not his. He claims the garage was supposed to be empty.”
    “Ms. Hardy, I’m going to call the sheriff right now. We’ll be there in a few minutes to check everything out. Do me a favor and lock your doors. Don’t let anyone in until we arrive.”
    “Yes, Officer. I’ll be waiting for you. Thank you,” she said as she hung up the phone. She was shaking terribly now, trying to calm herself down, she kept telling herself over and over again that she was safe. Brutus was in the house with her. He wouldn’t let anyone harm her. The thought of someone being in her home, using her property to house stolen merchandise was appalling. What if he comes back? Brutus curiously watched her run through the house to lock the front door and draw the curtains closed.
    * * * *
    Deputy Logan was on his way to Rachel’s house when he got a hold of the sheriff. “Todd, I think we finally caught a break in the burglary cases. A woman just called, a Rachel Hardy, she said she found a bunch of paintings and boxes in her garage. Hasn’t that place been empty for the last twenty years or so?”
    “Yeah, she just moved in a couple days ago. I stopped by the day she moved in. I feel like a fool, Mike, I checked the place out and never once looked out in the garage. I hope for her sake, she’s wrong.”
    “I hope for our sake, she’s right,” Mike countered.
    “I’ll meet you there in five minutes.” Hanging up the phone, he shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe