Page 46 of King of Omen

Damn. I’d left my pail of expensive eco solutions and microfiber cloths in Manly.

I had another gig the following day and needed them.

Wracking my brain, I remembered Mr Reed Jones had mentioned that the new house owners were expected sometime this week.

If I chanced it, and if they weren’t home, I’d be able to slip back in tonight to fetch my precious gear.

I decided to take the risk and return to the mansion that evening to retrieve my cleaning supplies.

Slipping out of the university building, I made a beeline for my car and sped back towards Manly, adrenaline pumping through my veins.

The sun had already set when I reached the exclusive neighbourhood where the residence waited, cloaked in shadows and silence.

I parked my van a few blocks away from the house.

The night air was still cool, adding an eerie quality to the empty streets.

As I approached the property entrance, my stomach rippled with butterflies. I hated entering any cold, dark house alone.

The mansion stood silent and imposing in the darkness, its windows reflecting the faint glow of distant streetlights.

I punched in the alarm passcode I had memorised earlier and slipped through the gates like a trespasser in the night. The front door loomed ahead, a solid barrier between me and my supplies.

I was reaching to punch the secondary security code when I spotted the door was ajar.

Had I left it open?

I’d rushed out in such a hurry beforehand, but there was no way I’d not have pulled it close behind me.

My spider senses kicked in. Still, with a soft curse, I stepped in, ears and eyes on alert.

I proceeded to the kitchen, where I had misplaced my cleaning equipment. A sudden noise made me freeze midway through the expansive corridor.

The muted creak was followed by a faint shuffle, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart pounded as I strained to listen for any further sounds.

That’s when I caught a light coming from under the door to the study to my left.

I froze.

My pulse quickened, and I stood, limbs locked in the dim, dark hallway, my breath catching in my throat.

Who was in the house freakin’ with me? Had the homeowners taken possession of their keys early? If so, could I run for it and slip out undetected?

More clatters rang out, this time with distinct thwacks and hits.

Followed by the crash of furniture and loud cursing.

I tried to move, but my feet were rooted to the spot.

A muffled sound reached my ears as I entertained options for unlocking my frozen extremities.

I had no chance to react as a whisper of footsteps came from behind me, and a hand was flung over my mouth.

I was jerked up to a muscled, broad chest.

A voice hissed in my ear. ‘Stay the fuck where you are, and don’t say a word. Clear?’

I nodded in assent, locking my limbs, as the hand lifted away and the presence beside me ghosted towards the study door.

---