In a corner by the room’s one window was an old steamer trunk. Moving toward it, John said, “I was trying to find some of the records you requested before you arrived. I believe they should be packed away in an old trunk. The only problem I foresee us having is that there are numerous old trunks around here, and I have discovered my ancestors possessed no apparent organizational skills.” Pointing at the trunk, he said, “In this one alone, I’ve found legal documents and photographs from roughly four different time periods. The only organized aspect of this entire mess appears to be that the time periods in question were all twenty-five years apart.”

Justin looked at Susan and she shrugged her shoulders. Shaking her head she whispered, “It couldn’t possibly be that simple,” before moving to where John was kneeling next to the now open trunk.

As she knelt beside him, John handed Susan a page of yellowed paper, the ink faded with age and barely visible. Squinting at the document, she saw that it appeared to be a marriage certificate and upon closer examination, she realized that the names of both of these people were among those of the “Warning Killer’s” early victims. Excited by the find, clutching the page tightly in her hand and waving it in the air, Susan exclaimed, “Justin look! The names—they’re two of the victims!”

“It would be easier to see if you weren’t waving it around like a flag in the wind,” Justin said. Noticing John’s confused expression, he chuckled and added, “Don’t worry, she’s okay. Susan’s easily excited when it comes to her work.”

“That’s perfectly all right,” the older man said, smiling as Susan dug into the trunk for more papers. “She kinda reminds me of a kid on Christmas morning.”

“We’re gonna be here awhile,” Justin remarked, as she began to sort the pages into piles on the floor around her.

“It’s all right. Susan can take as long as she needs,” John said, then standing slowly amid popping joints, he asked, “Well, son, how’s about a drink?”

“Sure,” Justin answered, then leaned over toward his wife and said, “Baby, call me if you need a hand.” Straightening, Justin followed the older man from the room.

A few minutes later, they returned to find Susan putting papers and small books back into the trunk in neat piles. When there were only four small stacks remaining on the floor, she turned to the men. Seeing the satisfied look on her face, John asked, “Find what you were looking for?”

“Yes, I did,” she replied, then turned to their host. “John, do you mind if I borrow these pages and make photocopies of them?” Susan asked, stretching her back and rolling her head to ease the ache in her neck.

“I will do one better than that. I’ll let you take anything you want, on one condition.” The older man smiled as he squatted down next to Susan and helped her gather up the piles of papers and old books. “When you’ve finished your paper or whatever it is that you’re working on, you come see me again to tell me all about it.”