“Let’s load these up, and we’ll store them at the office. They’ll be safe there, and we can take another look, see if there’s something you might have missed.”

“Sounds good.”

They cleaned out the storage locker, loading the boxes into the back of the Rover. Though the journals and King’s more personal possessions had been left undisturbed, Abby felt even more exhausted than before.

She closed her eyes as the vehicle rolled along. She was nodding off, almost asleep when the passenger door shot open. Abby jerked awake, disoriented, her hand automatically tightening into a fist.

Gage’s big palm wrapped around her fingers. “It’s okay, Abby. We’re home. You’re safe.”

“Sorry.” She slid out of the car, swaying a little as she started walking. Gage’s arm went around her, drew her against his side.

“Just take a minute. It’s been a long day.”

She took a deep breath, trying to ignore how good it felt to be pressed against his big hard body.

Abby forced herself to move away. “I’m okay. Just a little tired is all.”

“I hate to say it, but it’s only going to get worse.”

She straightened. Gage was right. The trip ahead of them would be grueling. “I’m fine. Thanks.” She glanced at the brick walls around them. “Where are we?”

“In my garage. We’ll come back and get this stuff later. Come on, I’ll show you your temporary home.”

* * *

Gage hadn’t told Abby his apartment was on the second floor of his office building. It was convenient, with a private rear entrance and a two-car garage. High, flat ceilings gave it the feel of a loft, and huge paned windows kept the space open and airy; it was almost like living out of doors.

In the downstairs atrium, several leafy trees grew up through circular holes in the brick floor, filling the entry with fresh clean air.

“This is where you live?” Abby’s gaze missed nothing as she crossed the floor beneath the branches of the trees.

“It’s handy. The market was down when the building came up for sale. There’s another apartment next to mine, so I’m a landlord as well as a tenant. I’ll show you around, then come back and retrieve your suitcases. The stuff in the boxes will be safe where they are till morning.”

Instead of using the elevator, he led her up a flight of metal stairs, crossed to his front door, and punched in the code to turn off the alarm.

“The building is extremely secure, my apartment even more so. When you’re in the treasure business, people can get strange ideas.”

She made a sound in her throat. “A lesson I just learned.”