“That seems to be the only explanation.” Maggie stepped back to struggle with both the puppy and the door. “Although it doesn’t make any sense to me. Apparently someone was in the attic last week.”

“Last week?” Stan took care of the door himself, then rested his hand lightly, it seemed negligently, on the butt of his gun. “Why didn’t you call before?”

Feeling foolish, Maggie set the dog down, giving him an impatient nudge on the rear that sent him scampering into the music room. “I woke up sometime in the middle of the night and heard noises. I admit it panicked me at the time, but in the morning …” She trailed off and shrugged. “In the morning, I thought it’d been my imagination, so I more or less forgot the whole thing.”

Stan listened, and his nod was both understanding and prompting. “And now?”

“I happened to mention it to Cliff this … ah … this morning,” she finished. “He was curious enough to go up into the attic.”

“I see.” Maggie had the feeling he saw everything, very well.

“Stan.” Cliff strode down the hall from the kitchen, looking perfectly at ease. “Thanks for coming by.”

I should’ve said that, Maggie thought, but before she could open her mouth again, the men were talking around her.

“Just part of the job,” Stan stated. “You’re doing quite a job yourself on the grounds outside.”

“They’re coming along.”

Stan gave him a crooked, appealing smile. “You’ve always liked a challenge.”

They knew each other well enough that Cliff understood he referred to the woman, as well as her land. “Things would be dull without them,” he said mildly.

“Heard you found something in the attic.”

“Enough to make me think someone’s been poking around.”

“I’d better have a look.”

“I’ll show you,” Maggie said flatly, then, sending Cliff a telling look, led the way upstairs.

When they came to the attic door, Stan glanced down at the poker still leaning against it. “Somebody could trip over that,” he said mildly.

“I must have left it there before.” Ignoring Cliff’s grin, she picked it up and held it behind her back.

“Doesn’t look like anyone’s been up here in a long time,” Stan commented as he brushed a cobweb away from his face.

“I haven’t been up at all until today.” Maggie shivered as a large black spider crawled sedately up the wall to her left. She hadn’t admitted to anyone yet that the prospect of insects and mice was primarily what had kept her out. “There’s been so much else to do in the house.” Deliberately, she stepped farther away from the wall.