He hit the brass handles of the double doors with the weight of his shoulder.

The doors flew open, letting in a gust of cold, wet air that extinguished three candles on the buffet table.

I was already moving before the guests started screaming.

I sprinted past Hayes, my heels skidding slightly on the slick floor before I found my footing.

The rain hit my face like needles as I crossed the threshold into the dark courtyard.

The gravel gritted under my soles.

I could hear the heavy, uneven thud of Richard’s shoes ahead of me in the dark.

He was running toward the stone arches near the private security wing.

“Richard! Stop!” I shouted, but the wind swallowed my voice.

Lightning flashed, illuminating the wet ivy crawling up the brick walls of the estate.

I took the shortcut across the grass, my boots sinking into the sodden lawn.

My tactical training took over, calculating his speed and his trajectory in the dark.

He was heading for the garage gate, but the electronic lock was coded to my master key tonight.

He realized it too late.