Sinner by Minx Hardbringer, Natasha Tanner Page A

and break in. Tom has never struck me as particularly intelligent or dangerous, but that doesn’t mean his family isn’t. The fund he’s trying to steal from could have been a way to keep them out of their real business. I’m letting my imagination get away from me, though.
    We walk close enough to the cemetery to see the names on the headstones. Most of them are worn almost completely off, but the ones I can read all say, Hunt. Some of the dates go back to the 1700’s. Tom’s family is old money, and this estate dates back to colonial times.
    “Let’s go back around and see if Becks has anything for us,” Adam says and takes my hand.
    I’m uneasy, okay I’m terrified, but feeling his palm against mine makes me feel better. We walk all the way around the house instead of going back the way we came. I almost can’t believe how big this place is, and I wonder how we’ll ever find the safe.
    When we round the corner and cross the vast expanse of the front lawn, Becks is leaning against the car looking bored. As we get closer, she brushes her hands together and pretends to dust off her shoulders.
    “They had someone very smart set up their security, but they didn’t have me.” She says and smiles.
    “We’re in?” I ask.
    “Yes, Peaches. We’re in.” Becks uses Adam’s nickname for me, and it makes me laugh.
    “Thank you, Becks,” Adam says, and we all head for the front door.
    It pops open with a hiss. There must be negative pressure caused by the heating and ventilation system. We walk in, and the house is as quiet as a crypt and even darker.
    “I wish we brought flashlights,” I say nervously.
    “I think we can turn the lights on, Peaches. Nobody is going to see the lights out here.” Adam says and flicks on the entryway switch.
    “You’re right.” I walk around and turn as many lights on as I can find without getting too far away from my companions.
    “We need to split up. We’ll never get through this whole building if we don’t. Becks you take the upstairs, Peaches you take this floor, and I’ll do the basement. Wouldn’t want either of you ladies to get scared.” He says, and I’m impressed that he’s in such high spirits. It must be because we’re so close to being successful.
    I bite back the urge to beg him not to split up. It’s just a big, spooky old house. I’m sure there is nothing to be afraid of. That doesn’t stop me from picking up a silver candlestick as soon as they are out of sight. Although, I don’t know what my weapon of choice is going to do against spooks and specters.
    I search the kitchen first. I have no idea why, but this villa is cool, and it’s hard to suppress the urge to explore. The kitchen cabinets and refrigerator are confirmation that no one has been here for a long time and isn’t expected soon. Everything is empty. There is no safe in the parlor, the dining room, the formal dining room, the sitting room, the study, or any of the first-floor bathrooms. I look behind all of the pictures and under the rugs. After that, I check all of the closets for secret panels, and I come up with nothing.
    A few minutes later, Becks comes downstairs, and Adam comes up from the basement covered in dust and looking grumpy again. I wish I had good news for him, and I’m afraid of watching him get upset when he finds out I’ve got nothing. Maybe Becks found something, but she doesn’t look happy either.
    Adam’s face turns bright red, and he storms out the front door. “Give him a minute to calm down,” Becks says.
    If I was wrong, if the safe isn’t here, I’ll never forgive myself. Then, I remember something I saw in the formal dining room. At the head of the table was a massive painting of Tom. The size of his ego tells me I might be on to something.
    “Becks, help me with a painting in the dining room,” I say and motion for her to follow me.
    “You think the safe might be behind it?”
    “Yes. I mean, generally, people wouldn’t hide a safe behind a