Safe Hands

15. Accused

After a long hour of running, hiding, biting, scratching, and shouting, the puppies finally huddled up and fell asleep. Grayson looked exhausted himself but decided to leave before another hellish situation started. He climbed out through the window, walking on the small ledge until he slipped into the next room. It was cold and looked more expensive than any room he had been to. There was a huge king-size bed, red and gold rugs, and many antiques that looked like they were worth millions. He spotted an open chest with some jewelry on the ground, including an emerald ring and a ruby brooch, all set in gold. They looked like real gold to Gray.

He walked to the door, only to find it was locked. So he stepped back, his eyes catching a reflection under the bed. Curiosity won his heart, and he approached the bed, bending to pick up a diamond ring. He gathered the jewelry, returning it to the small jewelry chest and closing it. With that, he returned to the window, stepping out carefully to another window, landing safely. The door was wide open, and a boy passing by stopped to stare at him.

Grayson rolled his eyes and slipped his hands into his hoodie pocket. "Stop staring, glass-face," he remarked as he walked past the kid.

He searched each open room for a quiet and safe place to be, finally finding the library, which looked more expensive than any library he had ever seen, with books aligned by color and alphabet. He picked a book from the shelf—Shakespeare's work.

He plopped on the long chair, rested his head on the arm of the chair, and as he read the first letter, his body shut down, and he drifted off.

"Grayson! Grayson!" Julian shouted as he watched Grayson stirring awake.

His gray eyes fluttered open. "Get out, bleached face," he groaned as he turned on his side.

Julian sighed. "You better get up. Aunt Lauren called for all the kids. You don't want to be here when they start searching for the thief. He could be armed," he said. Grayson jerked awake, his eyes fixing on Julian.

"Armed?" he repeated, recalling the times he would handle Charlie's guns when he was in the shower.

"Yeah, get up," Julian said before exiting the room. Grayson followed him in a hurry, excited about a criminal in the house; maybe someone would get hurt.

Julian walked into the living room, where Aunt Lauren was seated on a royal chair, looking concerned as she tried to mask it.

"There he is," Julian said as he went to stand beside Aunt Lauren. The woman made eye contact with Grayson but didn't say a word.

She proceeded to clear her throat. "Has anyone been playing close to my room lately?" she asked, or by accident looked into the chest?" She began in a calm voice.

Grayson froze, knowing he was the culprit but not wanting to declare himself immediately.

"Because," she continued, "a precious chain given to me by my mother is missing. It's a family gift with her picture on it," she said. "If you took it or found it, please hand it over. It is not a toy or a joke. It is very precious to me," she stated.

Grayson recalled seeing the chest in a mess and knew for sure he didn't take anything. Maybe the culprit went in before he got there.

"Anybody?" she pressed. "If you find it or help find it, there will be a great reward for you," she continued. Whispers filled the room; there were about thirty other young boys and girls in the room.

Russell made eye contact with Grayson. "Where were you, Grayson?" he questioned, causing the kids to go quiet.

Grayson stepped forward. "None of your business."