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The study was located on the other side of the house, across from what appeared to be a large sitting area. There was a piano off in the far corner, a large fuzzy carpet that spanned the entire room, and two comfy leather armchairs nestled next to a marble fireplace. It was the perfect place to read or enjoy a glass of chardonnay while watching the Christmas snow fall outside.
Chase ignored the sitting area and threw open the doors to the study. He had spotted the study the other day during his frantic search for Levi but had not noticed any hidden doors—mind you, he wasn’t fully focused on searching for invisible passages. They weren’t living in some fantasy novel where secret entrances gave way to magical realms.
Well, on second thought, perhaps they were. He was currently scouring the house, searching for a secret entrance that led to a horrific world in which innocent people were being held captive. It may not be a fantasy land, but it was one that shouldn’t exist. Ever.
Rushing after him, Isaac and Jared barreled into Chase’s thick back when he stopped suddenly just inside the room.
He shot them both an annoyed look before taking a step forward and looking around the room.
It was your typical home office for a turn-of-the-century Parisian-style home. Deep brown mahogany wood panels filled the room. The ceiling was white clay with intricate designs in the crown molding. At the far back of the office stood four large windows that looked out onto the wooded area behind the home. Once again, another picturesque view.
In front of the windows sat a large cherry wood desk that must have been at least fifty years old. Still in great condition, but the style was very outdated.
To Chase’s far right stood a large bookcase filled with many hardcover books that appeared more for show than for reading. How often did Peabody flip through French law books or the History of the Great Kingdoms of the World?
No. These books were for show. Probably inherited from his ancestors and passed down through the generations.
“Damn, look at all these paintings,” Isaac said, walking around the room admiring the art instead of searching for a hidden door.
Chase noticed that Isaac got distracted really easily and often jumped from one topic or idea to another. He wondered if perhaps the man had some sort of attention-deficient disorder. That would explain his lack of focus and constant hyper-activity.
“Focus. We’re looking for a hidden passage, not admiring Peabody’s art collection,” Chase reminded, running his hand across the surface of the east wall. He was trying to feel for any changes in texture or grooves in the wall that might indicate that there was a door hidden beneath.
“What exactly are we looking for?” Isaac asked, glancing over his shoulder at Chase. He took a swig of his whiskey, then pulled up the sides of his jeans. Isaac had this whole bad-boy skater-dude look going for him, with the spikey-blue hair, pierced lower lip, and chain hanging from his wallet.
“Not sure. It could be anything. Matteo didn’t exactly say,” Chase answered, making his way around the room.
Jared felt under the large desk and searched in and around desk drawers.
“What are you looking for?” Isaac asked Jared.
“The spy movies always have a hidden button under the bad guy's desk that opens a secret door when pressed. I’m searching for that magic button.”
“Then after, you can search for my magic button,” Isaac whispered, not intending for Chase to overhear. His cheeks flushed red when he noticed Chase shaking his head.
Where the fuck was this passage?
Chase moved on to the bookcase and began pulling books forward, wondering if, by some chance miracle, they would open the door to the secret entrance as they did in Jared’s so-called “spy movies.”
Nothing.
“It’s got to be here, somewhere,” Chase huffed, frustrated.
“I’ve asked Matteo to send me the blueprints. Hopefully, I can make sense of where this damn passage is located,” Marc said into Chase’s earpiece. He had actually forgotten all about his boss and mentor listening in on their little adventure.
Marc and Alex were parked in a van down the street, keeping an eye on the activity outside the house. They didn’t want any unexpected visitors.
Chase glanced down at the hardwood floor, wondering where to check next.
“What’s this?” he asked, crouching down and running his finger over the grain of wood flooring. There were three distinct scratch marks running about five inches from where the bookcase stood. "What the fuck?”
Chase stood up, pulled the bookcase away from the wall, and stared at the wood paneling behind the bookcase. As he stared at the open space on the wall, he noticed distinct lines began to form. It was like one of those magic eye books. The longer you stared, the quicker an image took shape.
“Holy shit,” Chase said in amazement.
“What is it?” Jared asked, stepping up beside him.
“Here,” Chase said, tracing his fingers along the lines that appeared clear as day now to him.
