Chapter 5 - The Fingerprint on the Key|
Nico picked up the heavy brass key resting on the wooden table.
It was three inches long, worn smooth at the edges, with a four-digit number stamped into the metal: 4082.
"A safe deposit box," Dante muttered, looking over Nico's shoulder. "First National on Michigan Avenue."
"No," Nico said, flipping the key over. "First National uses three-digit stamps. Four digits with a flat edge is a dock locker at the old municipal marina."
He looked at Josie. "Did Eleanor ever take you to the docks?"
"Never," she said. "She barely left the house. But three days ago, a package came in the mail. No return address. It was heavy. She took it down to the basement and didn't come up for an hour."
Nico stood up and pocketed the key.
"Dante, stay here," Nico ordered. "Keep two men on the cellar door. If anyone comes down Linden Lane, you don't ask questions—you shoot."
"Where are you going, boss?"
"To the docks," Nico said. "I want to see what Eleanor Brandt kept in Locker 4082 before Walter Brandt's men burn that down too."
He turned to leave, but Josie stood up from the cot, her voice stopping him at the door.
"Wait!" she called out.
Nico paused without looking back.
"They're scared," she said softly. "Leo won't sleep without a light. Please... just leave a lamp on in the hallway upstairs."
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Nico stood in the doorway for a long beat.
"The lamp is already on," he said quietly, pulling the door shut behind him.
