Page 79 of The Lost Bones

“And did you?” he asked hopefully.

“I sure did.” Jenna smiled and handed him the information. “I got the manufacturer from the bitting code and talked to him. This key opens a unit in a self-storage facility right here in Lakemore.”

“Did the manufacturer tell you who he sold it to?” Mackenzie asked.

“Someone by the name of Kai. It was an online order.”

Nick was up, wearing his jacket. “Let’s go.”

The self-storage facility was located in the industrial part of town, where now only one factory operated. There was a time when four factories were fully operational. A time when Lakemore had more prospects. The first one shut down over twenty years ago. Ten years ago, the second one. And just one year ago, the third. It looked like a ghost town, with structures covered in graffiti, spare tires and cold cars sitting around, holes in the barbed wire intended for security.

“There it is.” Nick pointed ahead at the building. “I’m scared to leave my car here.”

“I’d be more scared to beinit. Carjacking is highly likely here.” Mackenzie glanced at the run-down area, not finding much solace in the fact that she had a gun.

Nick parked the car as close as he could to the facility. Getting out, Mackenzie shivered as a stinging wind slapped her face.

“What number did Jenna say it was?”

Nick checked the paper. “B-31.”

The facility was cold and unwelcoming. There was obviously no temperature control. Rows of units extended down the dimly lit hallways. They headed to row B and sprinted along, looking for unit 31.

“Who do you think Kai is?” Mackenzie asked. “I would definitely remember coming across that name. It’s not very common.”

“It’s a fake one.” He shrugged. “Hamilton probably needed to give a name and didn’t want his actual name out there.”

They reached number 31. Nick produced the key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock at the bottom of the door. It turned without resistance, followed by a clicking sound.

“Moment of truth.” He grunted as he and Mackenzie lifted the door. It slid up, making a screeching sound.

Mackenzie fumbled for a switch on the wall, and with one flip, light flooded the unit.

“What the hell?” Nick frowned.

The unit was empty, except for one thing. A black duffel bag was sitting in the center of the room. Under the flickering white light, it looked ominous, like this ordinary bag contained something special.

“Renting a whole unit just for a bag?” Nick wondered incredulously. “Why wouldn’t Hamilton just keep it locked away in his house?”

“Maybe because he doesn’t want anyone finding it and is being extra cautious.” Mackenzie walked up to it. “You know, technically we’re not allowed to open this. We need a warrant.”

They both stood over the duffel bag, which was zipped closed. Mackenzie felt the anticipation tickle her. There was something inside that was worth hiding in a storage unit. Something Hamilton valued and didn’t want in his house for anyone to accidentally find.

“Fuck it.” Nick kneeled on the floor.

“Nick! Seriously?”

He was the one who had been a stickler for the rules lately. But he looked up at her with a pensive expression. “Mack, we can’t afford to lose any leads. What if Hamilton realizes that his key is gone?”

Mackenzie nodded and crouched next to him. He at least had the sense to put on gloves before he opened the bag. Then he dipped his hand inside and extracted a DVD case.

“Who even uses these anymore?” he asked.

“Is that all there is?” She peered into the open bag, which contained piles of DVD cases.

“Look, they have dates on them,” Nick pointed out.

“We have a DVD player back at the station.”