I hurried back through the garden, slipping inside through the kitchen door.

The house was completely still.

I climbed the back stairs, keeping my weight close to the wall to avoid the creaking steps.

I reached the door of Garrett’s study and pushed it open.

The room smelled of old paper, leather, and the sweet scent of his pipe tobacco.

I walked over to the corner of the room where his heavy oak desk sat.

I pulled back the edge of the thick Persian rug.

Beneath the rug was a square wooden hatch in the oak floorboards.

I lifted the hatch, revealing the iron top of the safe.

The keyhole was small, hidden behind a sliding brass plate.

My hand shook as I inserted the brass key into the lock.

It slid in smoothly.

I turned the key, and a heavy, mechanical click echoed in the quiet room.

I pulled the heavy iron handle, and the safe door swung upward.

Inside the dark compartment lay a thick manila folder and a black leather ledger.

I reached in and pulled the folder out, my fingers cold against the paper.