CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lucy came out from behind the furnace. Nothing was amiss in this basement. Actually, nothing was amiss in the house except that the man who lived here seemed unusually creepy. He was bending over, poking at something on the floor. But then he straightened up and just stood there watching her, looking rather stiff and awkward.
“I know, I know,” he mumbled distractedly. “It wasn’t a good idea.”
Lucy was puzzled. He seemed to be talking to someone else.
“What?” she asked.
He looked up at her, more alert.
“The basement,” he said quickly. “There’s nothing in the basement.”
“You’re right, there isn’t,” she said, smiling pleasantly. “Thanks for your time. That’s all I need.”
“Time is important,” he said.
She nodded in agreement and headed back up the stairs. He followed
