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,