“He must have,” cut in a sneering voice from directly behind.
Everyone turned to see Max Laponi standing in the doorway. His sharp little eyes moved swiftly about the room taking in everything. They came to rest upon the wall safe.
Caleb spun the dials. He hastily pressed a concealed button and the picture swung back into place, hiding the safe.
“Neat little device,” Laponi commented dryly. His eyes narrowed. “Trying to steal the Winters’ booty, were you?”
“Certainly not,” Caleb retorted angrily.
Laponi caught him roughly by the shoulder, forcing him back against the wall.
“You know a lot more than you let on,” he accused. “Tell me, is that where old Winters hid his ivory collection?”
“I’ll tell you nothing,” Caleb snapped.
“You’ll tell or I’ll—”
“Mr. Laponi, you’re hurting him!” Rosanna cried.