I took his radio from his belt.

Static hissed in the small earpiece.

“Team Two, report,” a voice said over the static.

“We have a breach at the south gate.”

“Repeat, south gate is open.”

Marcus and Daniel had made their move.

“Team Two, do you copy?” the voice asked again.

I did not answer.

I put the earpiece in my ear.

“All units, converge on the south gate,” the voice commanded.

“Leave a skeleton crew at the house.”

“We need to find the owner.”

They were looking for me.

They thought I was outside.

I left the nursery and headed toward the main stairs.

The house was vast, but I knew every shortcut.

I took the narrow back stairs that the staff used.

It led directly to the kitchen and the pantry.

As I descended, the smell of copper and wet wool grew stronger.

I reached the bottom of the stairs.

The pantry door was made of thick oak.

It was slightly ajar.

A sliver of yellow light spilled onto the kitchen tile.

I heard voices inside.

“Where is the key to the safe?” a man asked.