UnEarthed

Chapter 11

Once again on the highway, Kenzy feels a sense of relief. Knowing she is back on track, she can concentrate on uncovering her father's secrets. Reaching in the middle console, she picks up the box holding the storage key. Inspecting the key, she checks for a storage number but does not find one. "I hope he used his real name." She says to herself and moments later, pulls into the gas station. After filling up her tank, she heads inside. She grabs a soda and a bag of chips and places them on the counter. The man behind the counter is an older gentleman with grayish hair, and a beard. "Long day?" He asks, noticing her tired eyes as he rings up her food. He places them in a bag, and she hands him a ten-dollar bill.

"You can say that." Kenzy smirks. "I actually need to find a storage place if you don't mind helping me.... Enigma Storage... ever heard of it?"

"Yeah... Vic owns it. It's just two miles east down the highway." The man answers.

"Thank you." Kenzy smiles as she grabs her bag.

"Good luck.... And get some rest. You're too young to look that tired." He adds.

Kenzy looks back at him with a quick awkward glance before walking out the door. No one has ever said that to her before. Shaking it off, she hops in her car and heads down the highway.

Turning into the parking lot, a large yellow sign sits in front of a small brown building that reads "Enigma Storage". A small open sign sits in the single window. Kenzy opens the door and walks in. The room is dull, with white walls and white laminate floors. She makes her way to the long brown counter at the back of the room. There is no one in sight so she presses a bell on the countertop. Moments later, a stalky man walks through the doorway. He is barely taller than Kenzy and is wearing a white shirt and baggy jeans and a brown ball cap.

"Can I help you?" His tone is stern.

"I don't know." Kenzy fumbles her words, feeling unusually intimidated. She pulls the key from her pocket and sets it on the counter. "I think my father may have had a storage space here. I know it's a long shot but I was wondering if it was still available."

"All of our keys look the same. Which building is it?" He stares at her.

"That's just it... I don't know which building it is." She watches the man's eyes grow even more unfriendly and says anything to keep him from walking away. "Listen, my dad died four years ago. I was just going through some of his things and came across this key and receipt." She lays the receipt next to the key.

The man looks at the receipt and back up at Kenzy. "Girl, do you really think we'd keep a storage building open for four years with no payment?"

"Can you just see if his name is in your system?" Kenzy begins growing agitated with his rude behavior.

The man rolls his eyes but turns to the computer. "What's the name?"

"Galetto."

The man's dark eyes immediately dart back to Kenzy. The expression on his face makes Kenzy nervous, like he is looking at a long lost loved one, or someone back from the dead. "Brian?"

"Yeah.... You knew my dad?" Kenzy's eyes are now as wide as the man's.

"Meet me out back." The man demands and disappears through the doorway.

Kenzy shakes her head, trying to keep from freaking out. She grabs the key and receipt and bursts out the front door. Walking around to the back of the building, she sees the man sitting on an old golf cart. Without hesitation, Kenzy hops on and he pulls away.

"Who are you?" She demands.

"My name is Vic. I was in the service with your dad." He smiles at Kenzy. "Damn, I never thought I'd see you."