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Another vibration. Longer this time.

Persistent

My hand moved reluctantly to my pocket.

Unknown Estate Security.

My pulse stumbled.

I answered. “Yes.”

Static.

Then—

“Mr. Voss…”

Mrs. Reid. Her voice was trembling. Every muscle in my body locked. “What happened?”

“The alarm…”

She struggled for breath.

“The study.”

I pulled my phone away and looked at the screen. It was filled with automatic message.

BREACH - ZONE 2 PIR LIBRARY.

BREACH - STUDY REED SWITCH.

BREACH - EAST WING HALLWAY.

BREACH - STUDY MOTION.

BREACH - INTERNAL STAIRWELL.

BREACH…

BREACH…

BREACH.

Ice settled beneath my ribs. “Is Nyssa there?”

Silence.

Too much silence.

“Mrs. Reid.”

“I… I don’t know.”

My heart stopped.

“She left this morning… “

A sob caught Mrs. Reid’s throat.