In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

coming our way. Yeah, that’s our man. He looks different. He’s starting to grow a full beard.”

Sam said, “I want a big hug. She attempted to open the door.”

“No!” Dick grabbed her hand. “We can’t give his identity away through our association, if anyone’s watching.”

Grant opened the door and sat down in back. “Didn’t intend to keep you waiting. Too much coffee. Just bad timing for a toilet break. I found out I’m no match for real fishermen when it comes to sitting around drinking coffee.”

Samantha twisted herself around to face Grant. “There’s no excuse for the way I’ve acted, Grant. I’m pleased to be part of your family. You were awfully generous, and you’ve worked very hard for my father’s sake. I’ve never met anyone who would do what you’ve done. Please tell me everything you can about my father, as seen through your eyes. Then, when we find time, tell me all about the rest of our family heritage.”

Grant reached over the seat to rest his hand on her shoulder. “I never expected to have children of my own, Samantha. I always knew I’d be close to my brother and his family. Now, you and I will cherish each other the way Joe would have wanted it.”

Dick said, “I’m sorry about Maria, Grant. It doesn’t appear there’s much hope of her safe return. Let’s make the bastards pay. You know they’re coming after us.”

She turned in the seat again. “Listen to me, Grant. No matter what evidence you find, or don’t find, I know you didn’t kill my mother. Your big old heart’s too full and generous for something that brutal.”

“Thank you, Sam. Now, let’s go see that lawyer. I’ve waited twenty-five years for a look into your childhood toy box. Do you remember having anything like a child’s backpack?”

She sat without answering for several heartbeats. “I really don’t know or remember very much about my childhood before going to live with Aunt Clara. Sometimes I think I remember things, mostly in bed at night. I have always thought I was dreaming. That’s what Aunt Clara said. I think she was afraid I would remember something horrible.”

Dick touched her knee lightly. “You were five years old when your mother died, old enough to have some very fond childhood memories. Of course, that was a horribly traumatic experience for a child that young. Perhaps you have some form of amnesia.”

“Lawyers are all the same,” Grant said, as they left the attorney’s office. “They find out you have a little money, and suddenly become your best friend. Everything is yours now, Sam, as well as the responsibility that goes with it. I’m available for help if you need me, of course. I think you’ll figure things out, with little help from anyone. Now! Let’s go take a look at what Aunt Clara left you.”

They stared at the sign taped to the heavy overhead door. Grant read the sign in a loud voice. “Sealed by court order.” He inserted the key into the lock, then turned to Dick and Sam. “Pray my faith in God and a thousand prayers have been answered today.” He lifted the heavy door.

Sam spoke first. “How will you ever find what you’re looking for in all that stuff? I’m going to have fun going through everything, if I ever find the time.”

Dick grabbed a heavy cardboard box. “Start by stacking some of the lightweight boxes alongside the neighbor’s unit. We’ll work our way toward the center until we find something like a toy box.”

Several minutes later Dick pointed to a green plywood box. “That could be what we’re looking for. There are a couple more boxes on top of it. I’ll pass those out to you, Grant, then drag that thing out for inspection.”

Moments later he dropped the box in front of Grant and Sam. “It’s heavy enough. Maybe your piggy bank’s in there too, Sam.”

“There’s not even a latch on this thing,” Grant said. “Do the honors, Sam.”

She looked at him. “Are you sure?”

“As certain as death and taxes,” he said.

Samantha eased up the plywood lid. Half the box was taken up by a large stuffed dog. The rest of the space had a variety of smaller stuffed animals and toys, with a layer of children’s books covering the bottom.

Sam moved directly to the dog and hugged it tight against her face, without saying anything. Dick’s face said everything. He watched, as tears slowly formed, then ran down her face. He reached out and pulled both she and the fluffy toy close against his chest. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs before kissing her softly.

Grant looked through the assorted items in the box, backed away and leaned against the wall, disappointed. He slowly slid down the wall to rest on the concrete floor, with his legs stretched out. Dick saw the depression on his face. “There are a lot more boxes here, Grant. Don’t give up yet.”

Samantha buried her face against Dick’s shoulder, smothering her tears. “I remember, Dick. I remember. Floppy was my sleepover security blanket. He went everywhere with me. I spent the night with Aunt Clara quite often, and sometimes with a friend.” She turned the animal upside down and unzipped an opening in the belly, large enough for everything she needed for sleeping over. She dragged out a pair of children’s pajamas. “Look, Dick, I remember the little yellow ducks.”

Dick eased the toy out of her hands. There’s something heavier than child’s clothing inside, he thought. He reached inside, felt around and removed a heavy object wrapped in a child’s pajama top. He knew immediately what he’d found.

“Here, Grant. This may be what you’ve been waiting twenty-five years to look at. Don’t touch the metal. If it’s what we know it is, we have to turn it over to Hunt for forensic analysis.”

Grant’s