Free Cluttered Attic Secrets by Jan Christensen Page B

made her sneeze again. “We should have brought a box of tissues.”
    “I’ll go get some.” Brandon headed toward the stairs. “Either of you need anything else?”
    “Can’t think of anything,” Tina said. “Thanks, Brandon.”
    “I’m all set.” Hank sat down on the flowery chair and put his feet up on the matching ottoman. “How’re you doing?”
    Tina smiled at him. “With you and Brandon with me, I’m doing fine.” Then she remembered what had happened, was it just last evening? She felt the smile fade, and Hank had that sad look again. Flustered, Tina picked up one of the books she’d chosen.
    A loud crash from below made them both jump.

CHAPTER 19
    “Brandon!” Tina yelled. She and Hank ran to the stairs and clambered down them, two at a time. “Brandon!” she shouted again. When he didn’t answer, her heart thudded even harder in her chest.
    At the bottom of the stairs, they paused, Tina behind Hank. “Where is he?” she asked.
    “This way.” Hank ran toward Leslie’s bedroom.
    They found Brandon on his hands and knees beside an overturned nightstand, shaking his head.
    “What happened?” Tina rushed to him and pulled on his arm, trying to help him up.
    He managed to stand, then collapsed onto the bed. “Someone hit me from behind.” He rubbed the back of his head.
    Tina gasped and looked at Hank. He stood frowning at Brandon. “You need an ambulance?”
    “No. No. I didn’t lose consciousness.”
    “How would you know? You didn’t answer when I called.” Tina sat down next to him. “You need to see a doctor.”
    Brandon rubbed his head some more and winced. “I’ll be fine. If I start throwing up, I’ll go.”
    “Let me see.” Tina took his hand away from the bump that was forming. “Didn’t break the skin. That’s good, isn’t it?” She looked at Hank.
    “Yeah. Brandon, can you tell us exactly what happened?”
    “I figured Leslie might have a box of tissues by her bed. Which she did.” He pointed to a ceramic holder on the floor.
    Hank upended the nightstand and began to put things back on top.
    Brandon continued, “I went to pick them up, and something hit me on the back of the head. Hard enough to send me to my knees. I didn’t see them, and I didn’t hear them leave. Doesn’t help the floor is carpeted. I have no idea where they went because I was stunned, I admit, and ended up staring at the floor for a while.”
    “So you don’t know anything about who hit you.”
    “’Fraid not.”
    “You need to see a doctor,” Tina said. “And shouldn’t we call the police?”
    “No.” Brandon stood up. “I’m not in any mood to be interviewed by the police. And I’m not hurt enough to go to the emergency room.”
    Tina didn’t like it, but she knew she couldn’t change his mind.
    “Okay.” Hank straightened the shade on the little lamp and set it down, and then looked around for anything else out of place. “We need to get out of here.”
    “What?” Tina stood up.
    “It’s too dangerous. We stay together, collect the food and papers and books from the attic, and leave.”
    “But we won’t find out what’s going on here if we don’t stay.” Tina’s mind whirled.
    “A man was murdered right outside,” Hank said, “and another one attacked inside. Until we find out more, we can’t take the chance of staying here any longer. We’ll all go to Brandon’s place.”
    “What?” Brandon looked up at Hank with a shocked expression.
    “You need to stay awake and shouldn’t be alone for the next twenty-four hours. We’ll keep you company. At least that should cure Tina’s sneezing. You did dust recently, right?”
    Tina and Brandon smiled. Brandon stood up, a bit shaky. “My housekeeper did.”
    “Okay, let’s get going.” Hank headed toward the door. “And let’s stick together.”

CHAPTER 20
    Within half an hour, they entered Brandon’s condo. It looked the same as Tina remembered. She felt awkward with Hank standing next to her.