Dillard Beach Mystery – 71

“Was the chimney your only hiding place?” he asked.

“Why, what is wrong, Edward?”

“The space is empty. There is nothing behind the brick with the initials.”

“That cannot be true. I am certain John placed the box in the spot and marked it with his name.”

“He may have done so, but the box is not here now. Come and see for yourself.”

He stepped off the stool and Rebekah moved to replace him on the perch.

“Help me up.”

He took her hand and the two switched places.

“Hold the lantern high, Edward. The box must have slipped behind another brick. It has to be here. Where else would it be?”

“You are certain we are looking in the right place?” he asked.

“There is no other place. Only one chimney and one fireplace.”

“You do not have a bread oven?”

Rebekah paused and looked at the bricks. “John never built one into the chimney.” She answered.

She stepped off the stool and stared at the side wall of the hearth. “If John had built a bread oven it would have been here on the side wall, but as you can see, the wall has no opening.”

“And he did not create a hiding space in the hearth floor?”

Rebekah stared at the floor. “I am certain he did not, not without telling me.”

Chapman stood and studied the inside of the chimney one more time. “And you watched your husband place the document into the box and place it in the chimney wall?”

“Yes. I was with him when he did it.”

“He would not have removed it without your knowing?”

“Why would he?” Rebekah asked.

Chapman shook his head. “Who is to know, Rebekah. But it seems certain the box has been moved and you did not do the moving.” He paused and considered possible explanations. “If you did not remove the box, and you are certain your late husband did not, and the box is missing, it would seem, the box must have been stolen. There is no other explanation.”

“But who would even know to look for it?” Rebekah asked.

“Hiding valuables in secrets spaces is not unheard of, Rebekah. Many people do the same. I myself have many hiding holes. The trick is to keep the location secret.”

“I know I never spoke of the spot and I am quite certain John would not have done so. Why would he?”

“In case of accident?” Chapman offered.

“Or his death?” He paused, embarrassed at the awkward moment. He knew John Rand had died in a fishing accident. “Is there anyone he may have told of your metal box as a precaution?”

Rebekah thought and shook her head. “There is only one person he may have told, but I very much doubt he did so. They were not especially close.”

“Who is the man Rebekah? It might be worth asking him?”

“At the time of his death, John spent a great deal of time with another fisherman, Jasper Atkins. They often went ice fishing together.” She paused. “That winter there were several accidents on the pond. I suppose it is possible John told Jasper about the hiding spot in case of trouble, but it has been years since. Jasper took his wife and children and moved north soon after John’s death. I have no idea where he is now.”

Her face revealed her frustration.

“Do not be angry with me, Rebekah. I am only trying to help.”

“Your help only makes me realize how foolish I have been.”

“Foolish? In what way?”

“I have trusted too many people, Edward. In all the time I have lived in the cottage, I have allowed those seeking my advice to walk about, handle my tinctures and visit my garden.” She looked about the cottage and shook her head. “Who knows how many have been here while I am off helping a woman deliver her child. I know it does not look like much, but this cottage and the shed behind are all I have in the world. If a person wanted to take it back from me, it would not be difficult. When first he gave me this land, Dillard was happy to turn it to my use.”

Edward took her hand and sighed. “As far as he could see, it was little more than useless — a narrow strip of sand. But now, your land can be viewed as valuable. It would seem Dillard might regret his gift and the papers he signed. If he wanted to find the documents, it would not take him long to search your home and discover your hiding spot. If it were me, your hole behind bricks in the chimney is the first place I would look.”