Chapter 19 - The Intruder in the DarkThe footsteps grew louder, pausing at the base of the grand staircase before starting their slow, deliberate climb toward the second floor.
“Clara, we need to get out the back,” Sienna hissed, her breathing shallow and rapid.
“There’s no time,” I whispered back, eyeing the narrow corridor. “The back stairs are locked from the outside. Move toward the guest room closet. Now.”
We slipped into the shadows just as a figure silhouetted against the moonlight appeared at the top of the landing.
The intruder was tall, wearing a dark tactical jacket and a baseball cap pulled low. He moved with practiced, silent efficiency—not like a common burglar, but like a professional sent to finish a job.
He walked straight toward the study, his flashlight beam sweeping across the open wall safe.
A sharp intake of breath echoed from the doorway.
“Damn it,” the man muttered, his voice rough.
He pulled a radio from his pocket. “Boss, the safe’s already been cleaned. The ledger is gone.”
A crackle of static replied from the device, too muffled to make out the words, but the tone was furious.
“I’m checking the perimeter now,” the intruder said, turning sharply around and heading back down the hall toward our hiding spot.
My heart hammered against my ribs. I gripped the brass paperweight tighter, calculating the angles, the weight, the element of surprise. If he opened the closet door, I only had one shot.
The footsteps stopped right outside our door.
The brass doorknob turned slowly.
Click.
As the door swung inward, I lunged forward, swinging the heavy brass weight with every ounce of strength I possessed. It connected with his shoulder with a dull thud, knocking him off balance.
“Run!” I screamed to Sienna.
We bolted past him down the hallway, taking the stairs three at a time as the man cursed behind us, recovering his footing with terrifying speed.
We burst through the front door, sprinting across the gravel driveway toward Sienna’s SUV just as the engine roared to life.
Aaron was behind the wheel, his headlights blazing.
“Get in! Get in right now!” Aaron yelled, throwing the car into reverse as tires squealed against the pavement.
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We tore down the long driveway into the safety of the main road, the dark estate disappearing behind us in the rearview mirror.
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