The paper made a faint rustling sound against the wool of the coats.

Rylan stopped.

He turned toward the closet door.

The flashlight beam hit the crack, illuminating the dusty floorboards right in front of my feet.

“Rylan?” Solene called again. “Get the number. We need to call him before five.”

Rylan hesitated.

He reached his hand out toward the closet knob.

I gripped the folder, preparing to push the door open and run.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the kitchen.

It sounded like a glass bowl shattering on the tile floor.

“What was that?” Pax yelled from the dining room.

Rylan pulled his hand back from the knob and turned toward the kitchen.

“The cat must have knocked something off the counter,” Rylan said, his tone annoyed.

He walked away from the closet, his footsteps fading down the hall toward the kitchen.

“I told you to keep that animal out of the kitchen,” Solene complained.

I knew this was my only chance.

I pushed the closet door open, stepping out into the dark hallway.

My legs felt like lead, but I forced myself to move toward the front door.