Chapter 3: The Midnight Stakeout

Sneaking Back to the Mansion

The woods were eerily silent, with the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of an owl breaking the stillness. Moonlight flickered through the canopy, casting ghostly shadows on the path as Jackie led the group, her flashlight flickering on only when absolutely necessary. The thick darkness ahead made the mansion feel like it was hiding in plain sight, barely visible through the dense foliage.

Each step felt like it took a year off Jackie’s life. Every snap of a twig beneath their feet sounded like an explosion in the silence, and she couldn’t help but glance back at the others. Holly’s eyes darted in every direction, her body tense as if she was ready to bolt at the slightest sound. Max, as usual, tried to appear cool, but his clenched fists gave away his nerves. Eddie was dead focused, barely blinking as his mind clearly worked through what they might uncover inside.

“Stay low, stay quiet, and try not to trip over anything,” Jackie whispered, the memory of their last close call still fresh in her mind. “Last thing we need is another ‘vase incident.’”

Max leaned in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, because nothing says ‘stealth’ like smashing antiques.”

Jackie stifled a laugh, though her heart was pounding. They were getting close now. Just ahead, Cedar Mansion loomed, its hulking, decaying frame blending into the night like a shadow that refused to disappear. The air grew colder as they approached, the scent of damp earth and rot filling their noses.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Holly whispered, her voice trembling as they neared the crumbling stone wall that bordered the mansion’s grounds.

“Good idea? No,” Jackie admitted, crouching down behind the wall and motioning for the others to follow. “But it’s the only idea we’ve got.”

Holly sighed, her breath shaky as she crouched beside Jackie. “This place gives me the creeps.”

“You’re not alone,” Max muttered, peering over the top of the wall. “But we’ve come too far to back out now.”

Eddie said nothing, his eyes fixed on the mansion’s side entrance, where two figures stood smoking and talking in low voices. The orange glow of their cigarettes flickered in the dark, casting brief, faint light on their faces. Jackie felt her heart skip a beat—there they were, the same shady figures from before. This was real.

They huddled behind the overgrown shrubs, completely concealed from view. The mansion was so close now, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Jackie’s pulse quickened as she watched the two men, her mind racing with possibilities. What were they guarding? What was Blackwell planning? They were no longer just sneaking around for fun. This was serious—dangerous.

“I don’t like this,” Holly whispered, her eyes wide as she watched the men. “What if they see us? What if—?”

“They won’t,” Jackie cut her off, her tone firm. She could feel Holly’s anxiety rising and needed to keep her focused. “We’re going to stay out of sight. We’re not getting caught. Got it?”

Holly nodded, though her face said otherwise.

Jackie’s gaze shifted back to the mansion, her eyes narrowing as she watched the figures by the entrance. The night was still, too still, and the silence pressed in on them like a suffocating blanket. She could feel the weight of the moment hanging over them, the sense that they were about to cross a line they couldn’t uncross.

“We wait for the right moment,” Jackie whispered, her voice barely audible. “Stay low, stay quiet, and don’t move until I say.”

Max nodded, his expression unusually serious. Eddie crouched lower, his breath steady but his hands trembling slightly. Even Holly, though still on edge, stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the mansion as if daring it to do something.

They waited.

Minutes ticked by, feeling like hours. The two men at the entrance exchanged words too low to hear, then flicked their cigarette butts into the gravel. Jackie held her breath as they turned and disappeared through the door, leaving the side entrance unguarded.

“This is it,” Jackie whispered, a surge of adrenaline rushing through her. “Now or never.”

Holly’s face paled, but she nodded, gripping the flashlight tightly in her hand as if it could ward off whatever fear was creeping in. Eddie swallowed hard but gave a determined nod. Max shot Jackie a glance, his usual grin replaced by a look of steely focus.

The group moved as one, slipping out from behind the crumbling wall and creeping toward the mansion. Every step felt perilous, as if the ground beneath them might give way at any second. The silence was deafening, the only sound the faint crunch of gravel underfoot as they moved closer to the side entrance.

Just as they reached the door, Jackie froze. Her pulse spiked. From inside the mansion, she could hear the low murmur of voices—Blackwell’s men. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced at the others. They were so close now. All they had to do was slip inside, find the evidence they needed, and get out.

No big deal, right?

She motioned for them to crouch down beside the wall, just outside the door. They huddled together, the cold seeping into their bones as they waited for the right moment to move in.

Jackie’s heart was racing, but her mind was sharp, laser-focused on the task ahead. They weren’t just playing detective anymore. This was real danger, and the stakes had never been higher.

Vincent Blackwell Arrives

The soft rumble of an approaching truck broke the silence, sending a shiver down Jackie’s spine. She froze, signaling for the others to stay low as the sound grew louder, vibrating through the ground beneath them. The night air felt thicker now, as if the woods themselves were holding their breath. The distant growl of the engine grew into a roar as headlights pierced the darkness, casting long shadows over the mansion’s stone walls.

Holly gripped Jackie’s arm tightly, her knuckles white, her breath shallow. “What now?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rumble of the truck.

Jackie leaned closer to the crumbling stone wall that concealed them, peeking out just enough to catch sight of the truck as it pulled up beside the mansion. It was massive, the kind of vehicle built for heavy lifting. The headlights flicked off, plunging the area back into shadow, save for the sliver of moonlight filtering through the trees.

“Stay down,” Jackie hissed, her heart thudding in her chest. “Don’t move.”

The truck door creaked open, and out stepped Vincent Blackwell. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and even in the dim light, his presence was commanding. Jackie’s pulse quickened as she watched him bark orders at his men, his deep voice cutting through the night air with authority.

“Unload it. We’re behind schedule,” Blackwell growled, his tone low but urgent. “We need to move the goods through the river tunnels before dawn.”

Jackie’s mind raced. The river tunnels? That was their route for smuggling. It made sense—hidden, out of sight, and perfect for transporting whatever illegal goods they were moving without detection. This wasn’t just a small-time operation. This was big. Much bigger than they had realized.

Max crouched beside her, leaning in with his signature grin, though it was more nervous than usual. “What do you think’s in the crate? A really big, illegal jigsaw puzzle?”

Jackie shot him a glance, her lips tightening. “Whatever it is, it’s not supposed to be here. We need to find out.”

Max’s grin faltered, but he nodded. “Right. Not a jigsaw puzzle, then.”

The group watched in silence as Blackwell’s men jumped out of the truck and began unloading a massive wooden crate. It took two of them to carry it, their muscles straining as they hoisted it up and maneuvered it toward the mansion’s side entrance.

The sound of the crate scraping against the ground set Jackie’s teeth on edge. She could feel the weight of the moment, the danger of being so close to something they weren’t meant to see. Holly’s breathing had quickened beside her, and Jackie could sense the fear radiating from her. But they were in this now, too deep to back out.

“We have to move fast,” Jackie whispered, her voice steady but laced with urgency. “We need to get a look at that crate and figure out what they’re moving.”

Eddie nodded, his gaze locked on Blackwell as the man paced beside the truck, glancing at his watch every few seconds. “They’re on edge. Something’s off.”

“Probably because they know they’re running out of time,” Jackie muttered, her mind already calculating their next move. “We’ve got to split up. Max and I will check out the crate. Eddie, Holly, you head for the tower.”

Holly’s eyes widened in alarm. “Wait, what? Why are we splitting up?”

Jackie motioned to the tower, where a faint flickering light had caught her attention earlier. It was one of the few parts of the mansion they hadn’t explored yet, and it was far too suspicious to ignore. “That light up there—there’s something going on in the tower. You and Eddie check it out. We’ll meet back here once we’ve figured out what’s going on.”

Holly looked like she wanted to protest, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the words. But finally, she just sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “Fine. But I don’t like this.”

Max, ever the optimist, clapped Holly on the back. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. Just think of it as another level in the game.”

Holly shot him a glare. “This isn’t a game, Max.”

He grinned. “That’s what makes it fun.”

Eddie, his usual nervous energy subdued by the gravity of the situation, gave Jackie a tight nod. “We’ll check out the tower. But be careful. Blackwell isn’t messing around.”

Jackie nodded, her gaze shifting back to the crate as Blackwell’s men disappeared into the mansion, leaving the side entrance open. “We’ll be careful. Just make sure you two stay safe, too.”

The group exchanged one last look, the weight of the situation heavy between them. Then, with a quiet nod from Jackie, they split up.

Jackie’s heart raced as she and Max crept toward the mansion’s side entrance, moving quickly but silently. The cold air stung her skin, but she ignored it, her mind focused on the task ahead. Blackwell’s operation was bigger than they could have ever imagined, and whatever was inside that crate—it was part of something dangerous.

As they reached the door, Jackie glanced back at Max, who gave her a nod, his usual humor replaced with a determined focus. She took a deep breath, then slipped inside, the shadows of the mansion swallowing them whole.

Splitting Up

The silence inside Cedar Mansion was suffocating, broken only by the occasional creak of old wood beneath their feet. Dust hung in the air like a fog, stirred up with each careful step Jackie and Max took as they crept through the dark, decaying corridors. The mansion felt alive with secrets, every shadow hiding something unseen, every corner another reminder that they were deep in enemy territory now.

Behind them, Holly and Eddie lingered for a moment, exchanging nervous glances. Holly’s eyes kept flicking toward the tower where the strange flickering light had caught their attention earlier. It glowed faintly through the grime-covered windows, like some kind of ominous beacon. The thought of splitting up clearly didn’t sit well with her.

“I really don’t like this,” Holly whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She watched Jackie and Max disappear into the mansion's depths before turning to Eddie, who was adjusting his backpack with a determined, albeit anxious, expression.

Eddie nodded, trying to reassure her though his voice came out more nervous than he intended. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly thrilled about this either. But Jackie’s right. If there’s something weird going on in that tower, we need to figure out what it is.”

Holly bit her lip, glancing back toward the tower. “I just don’t want us to end up separated and caught. This place gives me the creeps.”

Eddie gave her a small smile, attempting to sound more confident than he felt. “Don’t worry. We’ve been through worse.”

Holly raised an eyebrow. “Worse than breaking into a smuggler’s hideout run by the scariest guy in town?”

Eddie chuckled nervously. “Okay, maybe not worse. But we’ll be fine.”

Holly sighed but finally relented. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

They shared one last look before heading toward the tower, leaving Jackie and Max behind to deal with the crate. Every step up the narrow staircase made the old wood creak beneath their weight, the noise too loud in the stillness of the night. Holly kept her flashlight low, the beam casting long shadows on the walls as they climbed higher and higher. The tower seemed to go on forever, winding its way up like a forgotten relic from another time.

“This is not suspicious at all,” Holly muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with sarcasm as they climbed.

Eddie shot her a look, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, nothing says ‘totally safe’ like a creepy old tower in the middle of the night.”

Holly sighed, her eyes flicking toward the faint light that seemed to pulse from the top of the tower. “Do you think it’s connected to Blackwell’s operation? I mean, why would they be messing around with the tower?”

Eddie’s gaze hardened, his thoughts clearly focused on the invention Blackwell had stolen from him. “I wouldn’t be surprised. If he’s using my invention for this smuggling ring, it could be anything. Communication, surveillance... whatever it is, it’s bad news.”

Holly didn’t respond, her stomach knotting with anxiety as they neared the top of the stairs. The flickering light was brighter now, casting a faint glow through the cracks in the old wooden door that stood at the top of the tower.

Eddie paused at the door, his breath shallow. “Ready?”

Stolen novel; please report.

Holly swallowed hard, nodding. “Ready.”

Eddie pushed the door open slowly, the ancient hinges groaning in protest. The room beyond was small and cluttered, filled with radio equipment that hummed and buzzed with activity. Wires snaked across the floor, connecting various pieces of equipment—transmitters, dials, and other machines Holly couldn’t even begin to identify. In the middle of it all, sitting on a worn wooden table, was something that made Eddie’s heart drop.

His invention.

The sight of it hit him like a punch to the gut. His hands balled into fists as he stepped forward, his face pale. “He’s using it. Blackwell’s using my invention to coordinate this whole thing.”

Holly’s eyes were wide as she looked around the room, her breath coming faster. “This looks like something out of a spy movie.”

“It’s worse than that,” Eddie muttered, inspecting the equipment with a mix of fury and disbelief. “He’s turned it into a tool for his smuggling ring. This whole setup... it’s all connected to my invention. This is how he’s keeping everything off the radar.”

Holly kept glancing at the door, her nerves fraying with every passing second. “We need to take pictures. Fast. Before someone comes.”

Eddie didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled out his phone and snapped photos of the room, focusing on the equipment and the way his invention had been integrated into Blackwell’s system. His hands were shaking as he worked, the weight of what he was seeing sinking in.

“I never should’ve built this thing,” Eddie muttered, his voice filled with regret. “I didn’t think... I didn’t know it could be used like this.”

Holly’s heart pounded in her chest as she kept watch by the door. “It’s not your fault, Eddie. You couldn’t have known Blackwell would get his hands on it. But we have to get out of here before someone finds us.”

Eddie nodded, quickly finishing up his photos. “Got it. Let’s go.”

The two of them turned and hurried back down the stairs, the urgency of the situation sinking in deeper with every step. They had uncovered part of Blackwell’s operation—enough to know that his smuggling ring was far more sophisticated than they’d thought. But they still needed to regroup with Jackie and Max, figure out the next step, and get out before things went sideways.

As they descended the stairs, Eddie’s heart pounded in his chest, not just from fear, but from the realization of what his invention had become. He had built it to help people, to push the boundaries of technology—but now it was part of something illegal, something dangerous.

He wasn’t going to let that stand.

Discovering the Contraband Goods

The dusty hallways of Cedar Mansion seemed to stretch endlessly in front of Jackie and Max as they moved deeper into the old, decaying structure. The silence was almost unbearable, broken only by the faint echo of their footsteps and the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath them. Each step felt like a risk, the air thick with mildew and a sense of impending danger.

Jackie led the way, her flashlight flickering weakly, casting long, eerie shadows on the peeling wallpaper. She had the blueprint of the mansion burned into her mind by now, every twist and turn memorized. The further they went, the stronger the smell of damp wood and decay grew, but beneath it, there was something else. Something sharp and metallic, like the scent of cold steel.

“Do you hear that?” Max whispered, his voice barely audible as he leaned closer to Jackie.

Jackie paused, listening carefully. At first, there was only the sound of their own breathing, the steady thrum of her own heartbeat in her ears. Then she heard it—faint footsteps ahead. Someone was moving through the mansion, and it wasn’t one of them.

Jackie’s heart raced. “Stay close. We’re almost there.”

They moved forward, slower now, every muscle tense as they followed the sound of the footsteps. The mansion’s labyrinthine corridors finally opened up into a large room at the back of the house, where the source of the sound became clear.

The room was packed—floor to ceiling—with crates, boxes, and all manner of items that looked completely out of place in a rotting old mansion. Stolen electronics, rare antiques, and stacks of documents filled every corner. But it was the crate in the center of the room that caught Jackie’s attention, the one that stood out from the rest.

Eddie’s stolen invention sat on top of it.

Jackie’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight. It was just as Eddie had described it—a sleek, compact device, small enough to be portable but powerful enough to be the centerpiece of Blackwell’s smuggling ring. Seeing it here, amidst all the contraband, made everything feel more real.

“Well, that’s not at all incriminating...” Max whispered, his eyes wide as he surveyed the room. He gestured to the piles of stolen goods, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “What do you think? Should we ask for a receipt?”

Jackie shot him a sharp look, though she couldn’t help but smirk. “Take pictures. We need evidence—fast.”

Max nodded, pulling out his phone and snapping photos of the room. He focused on Eddie’s invention first, then methodically worked his way around the rest of the contraband. Every item they captured would be proof of Blackwell’s illegal operation. But as the seconds ticked by, Jackie’s sense of urgency grew.

Her heart pounded as she kept watch by the door, her pulse quickening with every passing moment. The room smelled of damp and decay, but there was something else in the air—an electric tension that made her hair stand on end. It was the feeling of being hunted, of knowing that any second, they could be discovered.

“Hurry up,” Jackie whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

Max’s hands were shaking as he took the last few photos. “Almost done.”

Jackie’s mind raced. They had the evidence, but they needed to get out—now. She strained to listen for any sound of approaching footsteps, her pulse racing in her ears. But before she could say anything else, she heard it.

Footsteps. Closer. Louder. Coming their way.

Jackie’s heart leapt into her throat as she yanked Max behind a stack of crates, her hand clamping down on his arm as they ducked out of sight. The door creaked open just as they disappeared behind the pile of stolen goods.

The man who entered wasn’t Blackwell, but that didn’t make him any less dangerous. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a hard look on his face as he scanned the room, his eyes sweeping over the piles of contraband. Jackie held her breath, pressing herself tighter against the crates, her pulse pounding in her ears. She could feel Max’s tension beside her, his breath shallow as they waited, praying the man wouldn’t come any closer.

The man took a few steps into the room, his eyes narrowing as if sensing something was out of place. He walked slowly, his boots heavy on the wooden floor, every step sending a jolt of fear through Jackie’s veins. She could see him now, just a few feet away, inspecting the crates, his hand brushing against the tops of the boxes as he moved.

Jackie’s breath was caught in her throat. If he saw even the smallest clue that they were there—a stray footprint, a smudge of dust out of place—it would be over. She glanced at Max, who was staring wide-eyed at the man, his fingers gripping the phone in his hand as if it were a lifeline.

For what felt like an eternity, the man continued his slow inspection of the room. Jackie’s muscles were tense, her legs threatening to cramp from holding the same position for too long, but she didn’t dare move. All they could do was wait.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the man turned and walked back toward the door. He paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder as if sensing something still wasn’t right. Jackie’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

But then, mercifully, the man stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Jackie exhaled, her body sagging with relief. She and Max stayed frozen for a few more seconds, just to be sure, before finally crawling out from behind the crates.

“That was way too close,” Max whispered, his voice shaking.

Jackie grinned, though her heart was still racing. “But we got the evidence. Let’s get out of here.”

They didn’t need to be told twice. Jackie grabbed Max by the arm, and together, they slipped out of the room, moving as quickly and quietly as they could. The mansion seemed to close in around them as they made their way back toward the entrance, their minds racing with the weight of what they had just uncovered.

Blackwell’s smuggling operation was bigger than they’d imagined—and they had the proof to stop him. Now, all they had to do was make it out alive.

Discovering the Tower’s Secret

The wooden stairs creaked beneath Holly and Eddie’s weight as they ascended the narrow, winding staircase of the tower. The air grew colder and staler with each step, and the flickering light from above seemed to pulse in rhythm with Holly’s racing heart. Eddie moved just ahead of her, his flashlight sweeping the staircase as they climbed higher and higher, the old wood groaning underfoot like it hadn’t been disturbed in years.

“This place is falling apart,” Holly muttered, her voice low and tense. “One wrong step and we’ll end up on the floor below.”

Eddie didn’t look back, but his voice trembled with nervous energy. “Let’s try not to think about that.”

They continued upward, the faint sound of buzzing electronics growing louder as they neared the top of the tower. Holly’s stomach churned with a mix of dread and anticipation. What could possibly be up there? Why had Blackwell’s men left the light on? Was this some kind of command center for his operation, or was it something even more sinister?

The staircase finally opened up into a small, cramped room at the top of the tower, its ceiling low and its walls covered in dust and grime. The flickering light came from a bare bulb hanging from a wire in the center of the ceiling, casting strange shadows on the cluttered equipment that filled the room.

“Whoa,” Eddie breathed as he stepped inside, his flashlight beam sweeping across the rows of old radios, transmitters, and tangled wires that snaked across the floor. “This is... way more than I expected.”

Holly stepped in behind him, her eyes wide as she took in the scene. The room looked like something out of a spy movie, filled with all sorts of old radio equipment that hummed with faint, electric energy. Dust-coated dials and switches blinked dimly, the soft sound of static filling the air as the machines worked, relaying some sort of signal.

But it was the device sitting in the center of the room that caught Eddie’s attention.

There, connected to the old equipment with a mess of wires and cables, was his invention.

Eddie’s stomach dropped. He had built the device with a singular purpose in mind—to create secure, untraceable communication. But seeing it here, repurposed and integrated into Blackwell’s operation, made his blood run cold.

“Blackwell’s using it,” Eddie whispered, his face pale as he stared at the device. “He’s using my invention to coordinate this whole smuggling ring.”

Holly’s eyes were wide, her heart pounding in her chest. “So, all of this... this is how he’s been staying off the radar?”

Eddie nodded, his voice tight with frustration. “He’s turned my invention into the centerpiece of his entire operation. It’s how they’ve been able to communicate without being detected. This whole setup—it’s all connected.”

Holly glanced nervously at the door, her instincts screaming at her to get out of there before they were discovered. But Eddie was already moving toward the equipment, pulling out his phone and snapping pictures of everything. His hands were trembling, and Holly could see the guilt and anger written all over his face.

“I never should’ve built this thing,” Eddie muttered, his voice thick with regret. “I didn’t think... I never imagined it could be used like this.”

Holly swallowed, her nerves frayed as she kept glancing toward the door, half-expecting one of Blackwell’s men to burst in at any moment. “It’s not your fault, Eddie. You couldn’t have known this would happen.”

Eddie didn’t respond, his focus entirely on documenting the equipment, the device, and every piece of evidence they could gather. Holly’s heart raced as she kept a lookout, every second feeling like an eternity as the tension in the room built.

“We need to move fast,” Holly whispered, her voice shaking. “We can’t stay here.”

Eddie nodded, finishing his photos and stuffing his phone back into his pocket. “Let’s get out of here before someone finds us.”

Just as they turned to leave, the soft sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase below. Holly’s breath caught in her throat, and Eddie froze, his eyes wide with panic.

“They’re coming,” Holly whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. “We have to go now.”

Eddie’s face was pale as he looked toward the staircase. The footsteps were getting closer, louder. Whoever it was, they were heading straight for the tower.

“We’re trapped,” Eddie muttered, his voice tight with fear. “What do we do?”

Holly scanned the room, her mind racing. They couldn’t go back down the stairs without running directly into whoever was coming. The only other option was the small window at the far end of the room—just big enough for them to squeeze through, but the drop down looked dangerous.

“Out the window,” Holly whispered, pointing toward it. “It’s our only way out.”

Eddie hesitated for a second, his fear clear on his face, but with the footsteps growing closer, he didn’t argue. Together, they moved toward the window, their hearts racing as they pulled it open.

The cold night air rushed in, and Holly felt the drop in her stomach as she looked down. It wasn’t a far fall—maybe ten feet to the roof below—but it was enough to make her pause.

“We can do this,” Holly whispered, trying to convince herself as much as Eddie.

The footsteps were just outside the door now, and they could hear the soft click of the door handle turning.

“Go!” Holly hissed, giving Eddie a push.

Eddie climbed through the window, his breath shallow as he dropped down onto the roof below. Holly followed quickly, her heart racing as she lowered herself out of the window and landed next to him with a soft thud.

They crouched low on the roof, breathless, as they listened to the door creak open behind them. A man’s voice drifted out into the night, muttering something about checking the equipment. They couldn’t see him from where they were hiding, but they could hear him moving around the room, inspecting the radios and transmitters.

Holly’s pulse raced as she exchanged a look with Eddie. They were so close to getting caught, but they had managed to escape—barely.

“We need to get back to Jackie and Max,” Eddie whispered, his face still pale with fear.

Holly nodded, her heart still pounding as they moved silently along the roof, the night air cold against their skin. They had the evidence, but now they had to get out of Cedar Mansion alive.

Narrow Escape

The mansion’s dark hallways seemed to close in around Jackie and Max as they moved quickly, slipping through the shadows like ghosts. Jackie’s heart was pounding, her mind racing as they made their way back toward the side entrance, where they were supposed to meet up with Holly and Eddie. The evidence they had gathered was invaluable, but it wouldn’t mean a thing if they didn’t make it out of Cedar Mansion in one piece.

Max was right on her heels, his breathing quick but steady, his usual sarcastic demeanor replaced with a focused determination. “That was way too close back there,” he whispered, glancing nervously over his shoulder.

Jackie smirked, though her heart was still racing. “Yeah, but we got the evidence. Now we just have to get out before they realize we were here.”

Max nodded, but the tension in his eyes told her he wasn’t convinced it would be that easy. The mansion was crawling with Blackwell’s men, and any wrong move could land them in a situation they wouldn’t be able to talk their way out of.

They reached the side entrance just as Holly and Eddie came hurrying out of the shadows, their faces pale, their breaths coming in quick, panicked bursts.

“We found it,” Holly whispered, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. “Eddie’s invention... it’s part of the whole setup in the tower. We got pictures, but—”

Eddie cut in, his voice tight. “Someone came up to check the equipment. We had to get out through the window. We barely made it.”

Jackie’s heart sank, but she kept her expression calm. “Well, we’re all here now. Let’s get out before anyone else realizes we’ve been poking around.”

Just as she finished speaking, a beam of light cut through the trees, illuminating the area near the mansion’s side entrance. Jackie’s pulse spiked as she instinctively ducked behind a nearby bush, pulling Max down with her. Holly and Eddie scrambled to hide as well, their faces pale in the dim moonlight.

A guard.

The flashlight beam swept over the ground, its harsh light bouncing off the cracked stone of the mansion’s exterior. The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet night as the guard approached, the beam of his flashlight dancing dangerously close to their hiding spot.

Jackie’s breath caught in her throat. We’re so close. Don’t blow it now.

Max shifted slightly beside her, his foot brushing against a rock. The sound was barely audible, but to Jackie, it felt like an explosion in the silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as she willed the guard not to notice.

The footsteps slowed, and the flashlight beam paused, hovering just feet from where they were hiding. Jackie held her breath, her fingers gripping the dirt as if that would somehow make them more invisible. She could feel the tension radiating from Max, Holly, and Eddie—they were all just waiting, hoping the guard would turn around and move on.

But he didn’t.

Instead, the guard stepped closer, the beam of his flashlight inching toward their hiding spot. Jackie’s heart raced faster. They were out of options. If the guard found them now, there would be no explaining their way out of this.

But then, just when it seemed like the guard was about to shine his light directly on them, a car pulled up to the front of the mansion. The sound of tires crunching on gravel broke the stillness, and the guard turned his attention toward the vehicle, his flashlight beam flicking away from the group and toward the noise.

Jackie exhaled silently, her body sagging with relief. They had been seconds away from disaster.

“We’ve got to move now,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she glanced at the others. “While he’s distracted.”

They didn’t need to be told twice.

As quietly as they could, they slipped out from behind the bushes, keeping low as they crept away from the mansion’s side entrance and toward the woods. The car in front of the mansion was still running, its headlights illuminating the area, and the guard seemed preoccupied, talking into his radio as he moved toward the vehicle.

It was their chance.

Jackie led the way, her pulse still racing as they moved through the trees, the darkness swallowing them up once again. The farther they got from the mansion, the lighter her steps felt, but she knew they couldn’t let their guard down until they were far from Cedar Mansion’s grounds.

The woods were dense, and the path was uneven, but the group moved quickly, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. No one spoke. The only sound was the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional snap of a twig. The tension in the air remained thick, but with each step, Jackie felt a small surge of relief. They had done it. They had gotten the evidence, and they were almost free.

As they reached the edge of the woods, Jackie glanced back at the mansion, barely visible now through the trees. The flickering light from the tower was still there, a distant, ominous glow in the night.

“We did it,” Eddie whispered, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and relief. “We actually did it.”

Holly, still looking pale, nodded but didn’t speak. Max flashed a grin, though his eyes still held the remnants of fear. “Told you we’d make it. Piece of cake.”

Jackie couldn’t help but smile, though her mind was already racing ahead to what came next. They had the evidence. They had proof of Blackwell’s smuggling operation, and they had pictures of Eddie’s stolen invention. But now came the hard part—figuring out what to do with it.

“Let’s get back to Eddie’s garage,” Jackie said, her voice steady but quiet. “We need to figure out our next move before Blackwell realizes what we’ve done.”

The group moved through the last stretch of woods, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins, their minds spinning with what they had uncovered. Tonight had been a close call, but they had what they needed. Now it was time to take Blackwell down for good.