Black and Blue: A Kira Brightwell Novel

1 A shadowy figure slipped into the darkened bedroom from the hallway. Raindrops tapped against the curtained windows on the far side of the room. The muted sounds of overlapping conversations punctuated by notes of music drifted from the party downstairs. How long before anyone noticed someone was missing? The figure padded across the room on silent feet toward the wall beside the bed. The careful removal of a pastoral oil painting revealed the cool metal surface of a safe door. The dial turned with ease, a soft click announcing the fall of a tumbler as each correct number was selected. Moments later, the door swung open on silent hinges, a light flickering to life inside to illuminate the contents with a pale glow. This was the moment. All the planning and preparation... It had all come down to this. After tonight was over, the wheels would be set in motion. Everything would change. The prickling sense of being watched made the figure turn. Is someone else here? Eyes swept the darkened contours of the large bed, dressers, and wing chairs in the sitting area of the room. Nothing moved. I’m being paranoid. Precious minutes were ticking by. There was no time to waste jumping at shadows. The figure turned back toward the safe to continue with the task at hand. Within moments, the job was done. Time to get back to the party and mingle. The night was still young, and there was so much left to do.