Free Secrets Can Be Deadly by Nancy Roe Page A

conversation. I plan on telling everyone at our staff meeting this afternoon.”
    “I won’t, sir. And congratulations on your retirement.”
    Mason went to his desk and grabbed the top folder. He was getting ready to open it when the phone rang. “Officer Pierce.”
    “This is Bart O’Donnell. Someone’s been in my house.”
    “What’s your address?”
    “224 Madison. D on’t see anyone inside, but want to file a report.”
    “ Are you still inside the house?”
    “Yeah. Where do you think I’m calling you from?”
    “You should have left the premises once you realized someone had been in your home. The intruder could still be there.” Mason shook his head. “I’ll be there in five minutes. Would you please wait outside until I arrive?”
    “ Okay. I’ll be in my car.”
     
    Mason parked the squad car in front of the house. A husky man got out of the car in the driveway.
    “You must be Officer Pierce. I’m Bart.”
    “I’m going to check inside. You stay in your car until I come get you.”
    “I already looked inside.”
    “I need to make sure the place is secure before I allow a civilian inside.”
    “Okay.” Bart looked annoyed but turned and went to his car.
    Mason opened the door. Flashlight in his left hand, gun in his right, checking each room and closet. No one. He stepped out the front door and waved to Bart.
    “ Tell me why you think someone was trespassing.”
    “There’s a bell on the front doo r. It startled me when I came in. I didn’t put it there.”
    Mason looked at the bell. It was hanging from the doorknob. If someone had been in the house, it would have been a perfect way to sound an alarm that someone was coming.
    “Anything else?” Mason asked.
    “Same kind of bell on the back door , too.”
    “When was the last time you were home?”
    “Oh, I don’t live here. My grandma does. She went to the nursing home in town three months ago. Called me last night. Wanted me to come over this morning and pick up a few things. Her name’s Elizabeth Camp, room 315. So, I guess it’s been three months since anyone’s been in the house,” Bart said. “With permission, that is.”
    “I’ll get started on the report. Just need to see your driver’s license. While you get your grandmother’s things, look to see if anything is missing or out of place. I’ll add it to the report.”
    “Sure,” Bart said.
    Mason started writing. He could hear Bart opening drawers and closing doors. Bart walked from the bedroom to bathroom and finally to the kitchen.
    “Did you hear bells a second time?” Mason asked.
    “Nope. Just once. Why?” Bart said.
    “ If someone had been in the house and they tried to get out the back door, you would have heard bells a second time. Or, the trespasser could’ve hidden in a closet or under the bed until you left to wait in your car.”
    “That’s creepy.”
    “That’s why you should always leave your house if you suspect something is wrong.”
    “ I’ll remember that next time. Nothing’s missing. It’s not like my grandma has much. She’s a pretty frugal person.” Bart paused. “There’s one thing that’s new—a flower arrangement in the bedroom. I don’t ever remember seeing it. I’m going to be late for work. You need anything else?”
    “ Sign the report, then you can go. I’ll have an officer drive by the next few days, see if there’s any activity. I’m going to look around, if you don’t mind. I’ll lock up. You may want to stop by once a week. Call me if you notice any other suspicious activity.” Mason handed Bart his card.
    “Yeah, great. Thanks.” Bart walked away, then turned back. “If you don’t have to tell my grandma, that’d be great. Her heart is weak and this would worry her. I don’t want her to get upset.”
    “I’ll call you if I have any questions. Have a good day , sir.”
    Mason spent the next half hour looking through the house. Nothing out of the ordinary in the living room, kitchen, or