Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Peter?
I swallow, my heart picking up a few notches as I read the note again, and again. Who is Peter? Surely it can’t be the same Peter who is working with Dax. No, it must be someone else. Probably something to do with a case. It’s just a coincidence that the person who wrote it’s called Peter. There plenty of Peters in the world, right? And transport, that’s probably just a package or something he’s getting shipped in regard to a case.
He has nothing to do with this.
I scrunch up the note and shove it into my pocket, mostly because I’m scared if I put it back, it’ll look wrong and he’ll know I touched it. I’m better off just playing dumb. I sit, my hands fidgeting, as I wait for Steven to get into the car. He arrives a few minutes later and climbs in, oblivious to the fact that his little note has gone. Maybe he forgot about it or hasn’t even seen it.
That would make sense.
“Are you ready to go and finish up the case? Did you have anything you needed to do before we get to work?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m okay. My son is with my nanny tonight; I told her we’d be working late. Let’s go and crack this.”
He smiles and starts the car, pulling out and driving the twenty or so minutes to his house. When we arrive, I stare up in awe. He has a massive home—I suppose he would being as popular as he is, he must make a lot of money. His house is two stories, a dark brown brick, high roof, gorgeous gardens. It looks like something that belongs in a history book. It looks old and yet well taken care of, like it has only been there a year instead of over a hundred.
“This house is spectacular,” I breathe.
“Thank you, it’s over a hundred years old. I purchased it off my grandparents about five years ago.”
“It’s incredible. You’ve really taken care of it.”
“You wait until you see the inside.”
We get out of the car, and I admire the beauty of the home with every step we take, from the stone steps, to the timber patio, to the gorgeous gardens and beautiful green lawn. When Steven opens the door and we step inside, I’m utterly blown away. The walls are the same gorgeous brick as outside, and the floors a deep brown. The furniture is all antique, matching the houses character. There are beautiful old rugs, pictures, chandeliers. Everything you could imagine is in this home.
It’s absolutely stunning.
“Oh, oh my. I feel like I’ve just stepped back a hundred years. This is incredible.”
“Thank you.” Steven smiles, walking into the large living area with a roaring fireplace. “I take a lot of pride in my home.”
“I can tell.”
“Let me show you around, and then I’ll show you my office. It’s quite large, with an incredible view.”
He shows me around the rest of the house, with its eight bedrooms, old ballroom, two dining areas, three living areas, and a kitchen that utterly takes my breath away. When we arrive in his office, I’m completely taken aback at how large it actually is. It’s bigger than my apartment, I’m sure of it. He has a huge timber desk overlooking a large window that showcases his entire garden.
“Oh, wow, I don’t know how you go to work when you have an office like this,” I breathe.
“Believe me, I don’t know either. Please, take a seat. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, please.”
I take a seat while he goes to his office fridge and gets me a drink. Then, we get down to business. Straight into it. That’s what I like about him. There is no messing around. We work for what seems like hours, until the sun sets and I’m starving. I step away from the laptop to stretch my body.
“Are you hungry?” Steven asks. “I’ll make us some dinner, if you’d like?”
I should get home, but the idea of eating right now is tempting. I’m starving.
“I should get home ...”
“Let me feed you first. I can’t expect you to go home hungry after you’ve been helping me all day. I’ll make something quick and easy.”
“That would be really nice, thank you.”
He smiles at me and stands, stretching out. “Go for a look around the house, by all means. I won’t be too long.”
“I might just do that.”
I flash him another smile and then set off to explore the gorgeous house. Every room I walk into is different, and yet all of them are decked out so historically, they’re utterly beautiful. I see grand pianos, old furniture, book collections and the most exquisite art pieces. I reach a door that is labeled basement, and I find myself hesitating. The note flashes through my mind and, with an outstretched hand, I wonder if I should be looking down there.