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The three of theht with thehts they had to turn on, but

Sloane walked into the den and swept the rooback chair was kitty-cornered on the left at the front of the room, flanked by small wooden side tables There was an enormous bookcase that covered the full extent of the far wall But the shelves were constructed of solid hed a ton, and Sloane doubted that she’d find a spring-activated secret panel, like in the oldthe correct shelf

The rear left side of the room had a fireplace Beside it was a sideboard, and a full liquor cabinet to accoain, heavy as a rock, and not a practical spot to conceal a door for a s

Sloane crossed over to the right wall There was a bayspanning most of it, so that area was out But there was a space bethere theended and the adjacent here the bookcase began The only thing filling that spot was a low table, which contained a vase of daisies, a photo albu at her nursery school graduation

Gently, Sloane tugged at the table It moved easily, so easily that it surprised her She looked more closely and saw that the table was made out of plywood, painted to ht as a feather

She lifted it out of the way and stepped into the barely noticeable corner, which was hidden by the depth of the bookcase She aiht at the three-foot section of the now-exposed wall

The outline of the door was clear So was the dead bolt that stood between Sloane and her goal

“Guys,” she called out “I’ve got so”

The sound of thudding footsteps came from two different directions An instant later, both Derek and Rich appeared, shining their flashlights around the room

“Over here,” Sloane instructed

They joined her, and Derek gave a triuh again”

“Except I have no clue how to get past that dead bolt”

“The old-fashioned way” Derek walked over to the fireplace, picked up one of the heavy andirons, and carried it back to use as a battering ra at the lock The door shuddered with each strike It took tian to give—ave out

Derek shoved open the door and groped on the inside wall until he found a light switch He flipped it on, revealing a long, winding staircase “Let’s go”

They trekked down the stairs, Derek leading the way