Chapter 1 - The Unlocked Front Door

The brass key slipped into the front door lock without making a sound. It was 3:15 PM on a chilly Thursday afternoon, and I wasn't supposed to return from London until late Friday evening.

As soon as the heavy oak door creaked open, the first thing that hit me was the absolute stillness of the house, followed by the faint sound of muffled struggle coming from the study down the hallway...