I knew it was a long shot that Susan would believe me. I also knew it was even possible that Susan knew the missing people might be back there, but things were going so well for her business she just didn’t want to look into it. I didn’t have a better idea, though, and I knew I had to try something.

Susan took a moment to respond. She still looked surprised to see me back here. But then she seemed to come back to her senses and to fully process what I had just said.

Looking a bit frustrated with me, she said, “There is no one trapped back there. It’s just a closed-off wing of the museum! And it’s only closed because we don’t have the funds to keep such a large space running. What kind of an article are you writing?”

I ignored Susan’s question. “But isn’t it possible that someone could have gotten back there when you weren’t watching?” I asked. “You’re the only one running this entire museum. You must be very busy.”

“No,” said Susan. She seemed very certain about this. “That door is always locked and no one has access. And look.” She pointed up at the ceiling. In the corner of the hallway was a small video camera with a blinking red light. “We have a security camera here and three in the exhibit space. I would have seen if anyone was sneaking around. And before you ask: No, you can’t see the video camera’s footage. The police have already viewed it and they didn’t find anything. You can’t think you’d do better than the police.”

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed the video camera. Arguing with her about seeing the footage seemed futile. But there was something else Susan had said that didn’t sit right with me.

“There really isn’t anyone who has access?” I asked her. “I mean, obviously you must.”

Susan rolled her eyes. “Well, of course I do. It’s the same combination as the front door to the museum, so my employees and I all know the code. Well, employee. Grace was my only one. And, well…” Susan paused here and seemed reluctant to keep speaking. “Beverly DeSantos has access too.”

I could feel my blood run cold. “Beverly DeSantos has access to this door? Why?”

Susan let out a huff of breath. “It was in Beverly’s contract when she donated the photographs to the museum.” Susan seemed very unhappy about this. “She wanted to be able to come visit the collection in private, at night, whenever she wanted. But I don’t see why you need any of this information for your article.”

“Every detail helps,” I said. If Beverly was one of the few people who knew the combination to this door, then it was looking more and more likely that she had something to do with all this. Especially if she had specifically asked to be able to visit the museum privately, at night. I was about to try and ask Susan to open the door one last time, when she told me it was time to leave.