led outside the wrought-iron gates of t

e's car. The neighborhood was dead silent, the sprawling

dow and pressed the interco

ned. It was Leland Fletcher, the estate's head butl

nd. Miss Eloise is ho

erguson have retired for the night. The main gate's electronic system is down for maintenance. Yo

he steering wheel. "You son of a bitch, you kn

She felt a cold, clinical anticipation. She pressed a bu

e intercom. She simply

astair Kingston stepped out. His heavy boots crunched against the

com pillar. He didn't press the button. He looked straight

gold Secret Service badge, and slammed it

his voice echoing loudly in the quiet street. "Open this gate in five seconds, or

his coffee mug. It shattered on the floo

d steel bumpers slamming directly into the wrought-iron gates with a deafening metallic screech. The vehicles didn't back down; their engines roa

rcom system, low and lethally calm. "Any further delay will be classified as a

tive than any siren. Dogs in neighboring estates began to howl. Floodlights a

sprinted out of their booths, waving their hands frantically,

es groaned and began to sl

eir wake. The red and blue lights continued to flash silently, painting the dr

ad. The heavy tires chewed up the pristine gravel of the main

doors of the m

Ferguson clutched her pearls, her face pale. Cortez, Eloise's older brother, stood behind them, looking furious. Peeking

cus roared, his voice cracking. "Wh

agents stepped out, their hands resting on their belts, their s

's car. He opened the rea

ood tall, ignoring the pain in her ankle, and looked up at her f