“There's a cavity.”
“An empty cavity.”
“Maybe.”
Eli sat back.
Then reached for the machinist hammer.
He tapped the rear wall.
Ting.
Moved slightly.
Ting.
Again.
Ting.
Lower.
Tock.
Eli froze.
He tapped again.
Tock.
Ellis immediately turned.
“Again.”
Tock.
The sound was duller.
Shorter.
Something behind that section absorbed the vibration.
Eli's disappointment disappeared.
Ellis handed him chalk.
“Mark it.”
They outlined the area.
Thursday evening, they began working again.
Slowly.
No guessing.
No rushing.
The hidden section finally opened shortly before nine at night.
Behind the wall sat a narrow cavity.
Inside was something wrapped in dark oilcloth.
Eli stared.