Chapter 21
"It's not your fault,” I said. "How did they get into the safe?”
"Douglas keeps the combination in a journal on the nightstand. That’s where he keeps all of his passwords and important information. One of them found it. By that time, they were agitated. It was taking longer than expected, I think.”
"How did the shooting occur?”
“Douglas kept a pistol in a coat pocket in the closet. He grabbed it." Her throat sealed again, and the words grew hard. "They shot him," she said, her voice quivering.
"Can you describe the assailants?”
Mrs. Caldwell took a deep breath and tried to settle herself. "There were two men and a woman.”
"Was there anything identifiable about them? Tattoos, scars, markings?"
“They wore all black. Long sleeves." Mrs. Caldwell's lips tightened, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just don't recall any details. I know one was pretty big. 6’3”, maybe 6’4”. Built like a football player.“
"What about the other two?”
"The other guy had a medium build. And the girl was maybe 5’4”, 5’5”, if I had to guess.
115 pounds.” She paused and recalled the nightmare.
"I don't think they came here to kill anyone, per se.
The girl freaked out when Douglas was shot.
I mean that elevates the charges for all of them, doesn't it?”
I nodded. "What was taken from the safe?”
"Money—maybe $10,000. Some jewelry. The book.”
"What book?”
"That's what they were after,” she said.
“I told Douglas we shouldn't keep it at the house, but he wouldn't listen to me.
He said what good is it if we have to hide it away in a vault somewhere and never get to enjoy it?
" She muttered aside. "I thought the whole thing was stupid, anyway. How could a book be worth that much money?”
I lifted a curious brow. "What kind of book?”