The Locked Door

Part 7

“I’m not much of a lock pick but I can give it a go" Walker said. "Anything else I try is going to cause damage I’m afraid.”

“Then please let’s try picking the lock first” Jaya said.

“Okay let’s see if we can find some instruction then” he said and as Jaya watched he pulled out his phone and typed “how to pick an old door lock.”

She smiled and said “is there anything you can’t google?”

He looked up and grinned “if there is I haven’t found it.”

Jaya laughed and looked over his shoulder as he scanned the answers. She could smell his aftershave. Without warning he turned his head and met her gaze. A slow smile spread across his face.

 

Jaya smiled too and then she looked away and she pushed some hair behind her ear. He was flirting with her. Well she was okay with that as long as he was free to do so.

“Okay I need some tools” he said putting his phone back in his pocket. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

Jaya watched him go and contemplated whether they were going to have to damage the door to get it open.

Within a few minutes he was back, carrying a tool box. “I think I’ve got everything we need” he said and setting his tool box down he opened it. When he had found what he was looking for knelt in front of the door. Then he pulled his phone out again and bringing a page up he held it out to her “can you read the instructions while I try to follow them?” he said with a smile.

“Sure” Jaya said returning his smile and taking the phone. She dropped down to kneel on the floor next to him.

For the next couple of minutes Jaya read out what he was to do and Walker followed her instructions. Like any of these things, it proved to be more difficult than it sounded. For twenty minutes Walker went through the various steps over and over again, but to no avail. Sitting back on his heels he said “I think we’re going to have to try something else.”

“Okay” she said “what do you suggest?”

“I’ll try to remove the hinge pins” he said.

“Alright” she said “what can I do to help?”

He smiled “I hate to sound sexist but is a cup of coffee out of the question?”

Jaya smiled. If he hadn’t put it like that she might have objected. But before she could speak he said “I promise I’ll put you to work when you come back.”

Her smile widened. “That’s okay I don’t mind making coffee” and handing him back his phone she walked out of the room headed for the kitchen.