Secrets in the Shadows (Secrets 2)

corner. I wanted to be working as close as I could to

the two windows on the east side of the building.

They looked out at the forest and tall, wild grasses. It

wasn't dissimilar from the view I had looking out of

the Doral House attic windows.

I had some cleanup to do before I could get

myself organized and actually get started. There was

still some of the granite the sculptor had used and

chips of stone all about the floor. I first had to sweep

up all that. I brought over the brooms, mop, pail, rags

and soaps, including the window cleaner. Since the

studio hadn't been used for years, there were

spiderwebs and, in some corners, tiny twigs and hay,

where field mice and the like had established their

homes. When I tried the lights, I realized some of the

bulbs were missing and most were blown out. I'd have

to tend to all that before it became too dark.

Although the kitchenette had running water and

a working gas range, much of it was rusted and grimy. I quickly realized it would take quite a while to

get the studio livable. Now I appreciated the time off

Uncle Tyler was giving to me. I got started as soon as

I could and was so into the work, I didn't hear

anything.

Suddenly, as if he'd been a ghost, I turned and

saw Duncan standing in the doorway. He had his

hands on his hips. He was wearing jeans, black boots

and a tight, dark-blue short-sleeve shirt. He appeared

taller, broader, more like a grown man than a teenage

boy. He panned the studio and nodded.

"Nice," he said.