Page 18 of Without a Clue

“I found a note.”

That’s when I notice Hugh’s hands. Are they shaking?

“What did it say?” I ask.

“I went out yesterday from the office. Left my door unlocked as I always do.”

Sure. And probably wide open.

“And when I came back, I saw the other door was open.”

“What other door?” I say, brows rising.

“The secret door,” he says, as though this was obvious. “The one we don’t talk about.”

“Wait. There actually is a secret door?”

“Have you not found it by now?” he returns, with a mild look of disappointment in me. “The point is, it was open. And on the round table—”

There’s a round table? The gang meets up around a round table like medieval knights?! There is so much to unpack here!

“—was my book. With a knife stabbed right through it. And a note.”

A chill runs up my spine. “What did it say?”

“‘Off to sea but never stay, you will go home another way.’”

Okay. That is terrifying.

But.

But.

“But, and to go back to that note in a moment, that could be written by anyone—”

“It was signed. ‘Of The Seven.’”

I stare at him.

“Where’s the note?”

“In my top desk drawer.”

“Did you take a picture?”

“No.”

I rub my face.

Rub my face again.

He’s expecting me to say something.

“Hugh . . .” I begin. “I don’t know what to say. Maybe it wasn’t one of them. Maybe it was someone else—”

“Who knew about the secret room? Come now,” Hugh says, hands outstretched, “even you didn’t know.”

“But why would they do something like that? It makes no sense.”