Page 147 of Cross & Crown

Colonial era.”

“Pieces from this era, of this style, often had hidden

drawers or panels, places where papers could be hidden from

the authorities,” JD told them.

“Why?” Kelly asked.

“The Stamp Act, maybe? Every piece of paper the colonists

touched had to be affixed with a stamp. It was very costly.”

Nick snorted derisively. “They didn’t hide their papers

because of the Stamp Act. They hid them because they were

planning a rebellion. The Stamp Act was one of the Intolerable

Acts; it was a series of bullshit handed down from the crown,

created a rift that made the atmosphere one of secrecy and

paranoia. That professor was right, you are a hack.”

“Shut up!” JD griped. “You watch too much History

Channel.”

“I’m sorry, the Stamp Act? What the fuck are we talking

about?” Kelly demanded.

Hagan gave the bottom of the case a nudge with his boot.

“The hack believes something could be hidden in the display

case.”

148

“We just need to . . . find it,” JD said, and he reached his

fingers out to touch.

Nick grabbed his wrist, making a hissing sound. “Active

crime scene,” he grunted, and he extracted a pair of latex

gloves from his pocket.

“Sorry,” JD said as he tugged them on. He ran his fingers

gingerly over the wood. “It’s in remarkably good condition.

I’m not seeing any obvious spots.”

Julian sighed heavily and shoved his hip against the case,