Semi-Psychic Life (Glimmer Lake #2) - Elizabeth Hunter Page 0,49
of it.”
“You have a space to put it?”
Mark raised his hand. “If you have a tow truck we can borrow, it can stay in our garage for a while.”
West nodded. “Just go through it and make sure all his junk is in there. Maybe box up any of the personal stuff. Tape up the drawers for transport. It’s not going a few miles this time, it’s heading up that mountain. You have boxes?”
“We brought some.” She patted his rock-hard shoulder. “Thanks, West.”
Val and Robin followed West around the back of the garage and toward the three storage units on the alley. It was exactly where Robin had seen the ghost when they’d been visiting before. Mark followed them in his truck.
“I wonder if I’ll be able to call anyone back here,” Robin said quietly. “Might as well give it a try.”
“Did you bring your sketch pad?”
“Yeah. Learned that lesson.”
West was unlocking the heavy lock on the metal storage barn. “Can you believe people? I had to get a brand-new lock for this two weeks ago.”
Val frowned. “Did someone break in?”
“Yeah. Snapped the lock and cleaned this unit out.”
“What did they get?” Val looked at the shipping containers on either side, both of which had the same padlocks. “Just the middle unit?”
West grimaced. “I have a feeling they knew what they wanted. Both my snowmobiles, can you believe it? And that trailer I carried them on. I was so pissed. That’s like thirty grand worth of equipment.”
“Shit.” Val watched the heavy door swing open. “Did you have insurance on ’em?”
“Yeah. I already filed a claim, but they’re dragging their feet. Probably won’t have a new set of sleds until next winter. And I was planning a trip in a few weekends with the guys.”
“People are assholes.”
West grinned. “Yeah, they are.” He waved at the giant red toolbox that contained Josh’s gear. It was sitting on one wall with several smaller pieces next to it. “There it is.”
“We can take the smaller pieces in Mark’s truck.”
“Okay, I’ll send a guy back to help load them up.”
“Thanks, West.”
He was a good guy. He didn’t deserve to get dragged into Josh’s crap. The more she thought about Jackson’s anger the night before, the more resentment she felt toward Josh and his unwillingness to grow up. At what point were you not just negligent but hurting your kids by not being an adult? She was so used to always being the grown-up that she didn’t notice, but Jackson and Andy deserved more.
She deserved more.
Robin and Mark were already getting boxes from the back of the truck.
“Okay,” Mark said. “Where do we start?”
“We’ll have to go through each box. If it’s anything that looks like it could break—any of the smaller tools or sensors—then let’s box ’em up. Try to keep each drawer in a separate box if we can manage. That’ll make life easier when Josh has to put it back together.” Val didn’t give her fear a voice. Josh would be back. This was all a misunderstanding and he was going to sort his life out and this was going to be a wake-up call to get his shit straight.
Mark narrowed his eyes and watched Robin. “Is she trying to summon someone?”
“Yeah. There was an old guy back here she talked to once, and it sounded like he’d seen Josh. She couldn’t get him back when she tried the second time.”
“Oh, that was here?” Mark opened a drawer where a neat row of screwdrivers lived. He carefully lifted the plastic case and put it in the first box. “You know, Josh’s life was always messy as hell, but his toolbox…”
“I know. He saved all his adult instincts to keep his work space organized. The rest of his life was a disaster.” She glanced at Mark. “Hey, do you mind if I give it a listen?”
Mark glanced at her hands. “Sure thing.” He stepped back and leaned against the far wall. “Let me know if you’re feeling sick or anything.”
“Thanks. I’m looking for personal items more than tools.” Val removed her gloves and started on one end of the long red toolbox. She moved her hands over the surface, closing her eyes as bits and pieces of Josh’s life drifted over her. She caught snatches of conversations and more than a few flirtations.
Drawer by drawer, she examined the chest, rolling each drawer out and scanning the contents for anything that looked more personal than professional.