Chapter 70 Serena
I’ve been awake all night and looked for the stone everywhere in the house, but still, no luck. We had cameras installed everywhere here at the Mayor’s Residence, except for in my bedroom. We couldn’t find any evidence of who had taken the stone. Mary took a few days off to care for her dad in the City of Morrow, so she left early yesterday. Then, when I went into town, under my instruction, almost all of the staff took the afternoon off yesterday. My own kindness has backfired again.
I’m depressed and scared to death. If dad finds out about this, I’ll be finished. I regret ever taking the stone out of the basement. How could I be so stupid? I have to do something to please Dad, maybe then he’ll forgive my terrible mistake. The key to Nicolas Burton’s mansion might save me. But everything seems so unimportant when compared with losing the stone. What could I possibly find in that house? I only known that Henry Burton’s dead body is buried there, nothing else. Still, sitting here in my bedroom and staring at the empty safe won’t do me any good. I make up my mind and decide to pay a secret visit to the mansion.
It’s been ages since I wore my athletic clothes. They’re comfortable and breathable. I’ll just pretend I’m on a run if I’m found out. I walk downstairs and go straight to the front gate.
“Where are you going, Miss Jones?” That guard who looks like a mountain walks up to me.
“Just out.” I lie. “Since when do I need to report to you?”
The guard looks at me, up and down, as if he knows that I’m up to no good.
“I thought I might come with you and offer my protection.” The guard speaks like an ancient knight. “We haven’t captured the thief. You still might be in danger.”
Well, I agree with him on that one. We still haven’t found the motherfucker that had the guts to come here and steal my stone. It seems to me that this thief is quite skilled. “Alright. But I need you to keep silent, and stay a reasonable distance away.”
He nods. Then, we both leave for the mansion.
I walk in front. He follows me, a few steps away. “Can you please get further away from me?” I’m a bit embarrassed, “I have to pay that house a visit, for the Mayor. You’re too tall. You’ll be easily spotted and ruin my discreet plan.”
The guard maintains his silence and steps a bit backwards.
“Thank you!”
I continue to walk forward. Having this guard to protect me make me feel a sense of security. I‘ve never seen someone this loyal and cautious. I turn my head a bit and peek at him. He is one strong, bulky man. His triceps and biceps are bulging like rocks. I doubt that anyone would dare start anything with him.
The air is humid after the morning rain. I walk through the well-paved, woody lanes and make a few gentle turns. I finally arrive at the mansion, which is shadowed in a dusky mist. The whole building seems empty and quiet. I make my way to the back door. The guard is right behind me. “Miss Jones, are you sure about this? There are cameras everywhere.”
“It’s okay. I know how to avoid them. There are cameras everywhere in our house, right?” Then, it hits me. I used to show Ethan how to walk into the house without being noticed by the cameras, because he never believed that I could do it. “While you’re waiting, call the staff at home. Ask them if Ethan showed up yesterday while I was out.” The guard obeys, and he hides himself behind a tree. I take the key out and open the lock on the back gate.
I sneak inside the yard. I like the style of the architecture, it looks better than my house. I have to say, no mater how vile these Burtons are, they sure have good taste. The antiques feel mysterious and strange. It excites me. Seeing several cameras already, I walk along the walls, pressing my body tightly against them at each corner. I won’t make a move if the cameras don’t move in another direction. I hear a crew of footmen walking right towards me. The timing is just right. As soon as the camera turns, I immediately turn a corner and hide myself from their view.
By following this route, I’ve inadvertently chosen a path hidden in the backyard. I see an open window. This is great! I can finally sneak inside the house. I hold onto the window in the frame and lift it up. Even though it’s just a small opening, it’s the perfect size for me to slide in.
It seems that I’ve found my way to the back of the house. Another line of maids are walking through the hallway in a neat line. I have to go downstairs, or else I’ll be exposed. It’s a short staircase. I arrive at a room that is seemingly too small for all the servants to live in, but just spacious enough for one butler.
The telephone rings beside me. I quickly hide behind a heavy curtain. A butler comes in to pick up the phone. He’s a terrifying man, with a big scar is on his pale face. He takes the phone in a rather gentlemanly manner. “This is Doug Nelson speaking.”
I hold my breath and try hard to breath in and out as slowly as possible, because I know that the Burtons have sharp noses.
“Oh, did I? Look at my memory. I didn’t even realize that I left my hat at the Moonlit Cafe.”
The butler continues to speak,
“Yes, Mr. Hart. Thank you for the kind reminder. I will take the medicine that you gave me, strictly according to the schedule.”
“My symptoms indeed improved during the night… But I was awake the whole time. I just… I can’t…” The butler is sobbing. “I just can’t believe that I am a werewolf.”