The snow had been cleared from the back deck and steps, as well as a pathway leading into the patch of fir and spruce trees at the back edge of a clearing. An old shovel was propped beside the back door. It looked as if Max may have been right about someone being here after all. Harry couldn’t help grinning as he thought how pleased Max would be to know that.
Having the snow cleared also meant that someone had been here during – or since – the recent storm. Where did that path lead? If anyone was in the cabin now, could he make it to the path without being seen? He had the right to be here and check things out, but he would prefer not to be seen until he was ready.
He looked around, studying the area thoughtfully, looking for the best route. The curtains had been closed in the front windows when he came in and the trees were closer to the cabin on the other side. Carefully and quietly, he retraced his steps. Snow fell into his boots as he pushed his way behind the trees until he could see the cleared path. He pushed on, until he came to an old outhouse.
Now Harry felt sure that someone was using the cabin. He went back to the clearing, walked up the steps and knocked on the door. He heard shuffling sounds inside and was about to try the door when it swung open.
A tall, slim figure stood there, wearing a hat pulled down over the forehead and ears, fingerless gloves, and wrapped in several blankets. “What do you want?”
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Harry demanded.
“We live here. Who are you?”
“I represent the owner, Mr. Martin. We heard a rumour about someone living here… without his knowledge or permission. So, I repeat… who are you?”
“I’m Arthur.” He glanced back at another person in the shadows behind him, also wrapped in blankets. “Me and Georgie have been staying here… not doing any harm… looking after the place. We had no place to go.”
Homeless, Harry thought. “Get your things and come with me.”
Wordlessly, they both picked up what looked like fairly heavy backpacks. Arthur said. “It’s just food and a little clothing. It’s all we can carry.”
They followed Harry silently to the truck. He told them to put the backpacks in the box and get in the cab.
“Where are you taking us?” Georgie whispered as Harry pulled the truck out onto the street.
“To a shelter where you’ll be warm and get a hot meal. You said you have no place to go. Can you tell me what happened?”
“We lived in a one-bedroom apartment until two months ago,” Arthur said. “The landlord kept raising the rent every few months until our pensions weren’t enough anymore. The last increase would have taken most of our food budget. We told him we couldn’t afford it anymore and we were evicted.”
“Did you look for another place?”
