The boards looked ordinary enough, but when he tapped them one by one, the third gave back a hollow sound. James heard it too. Brian went for a screwdriver and hammer, then worked the edge of the board loose. It lifted with a dry crack, paint splitting along the seam.
Beneath it was a narrow cavity. And inside that cavity lay a bundle wrapped in faded cloth. Brian lifted it out and set it on the floor between them. James crouched first. His hands shook as he untied the cord and folded the cloth back.