And I’m snooping.
Not my finest moment but needs must.
I have my cleaning stuff with me, and I am technically cleaning his office. I’m just having a nosy look around while I do so.
Specifically, around the bookshelf.
I’m dusting it while looking for anything out of the ordinary.
I know I must look like something out of a bad detective movie, but this is my first rodeo.
So far, I’m not getting much. There are just rows and rows of books and dust.
Not exactly exciting.
Honestly, I didn’t even know Kas read. I’ve never seen him pick up a book.
Reaching up to my tiptoes, I run the duster along the higher shelves, my eyes trailing over them, looking for anything. Any indication that there’s a door behind here.
But nothing. Just a wooden panel behind the books.
I wonder if there’s a book that you pull out, and the bookcase magically opens.
Okay, I’ve been watching too many movies. But I’m not really sure what I’m looking for here.
Oh, I do remember seeing in one movie where they literally just pushed against the bookcase to open it, and behind it was a door leading to a secret room.
But would Kas really have a secret room? It seems a little farfetched, even for me.
He could have just sealed off the door for whatever reason and built a bookcase in front of it.
And if he had just told me that, then I wouldn’t be in here, snooping, right now.
He lied for a reason. And I want to know why.
Thinking I hear a noise, I glance behind me at the half-open door. Pausing, I hold my breath.
I left the door open, so it wouldn’t look suspicious if Kas came back, and I was in here with the door closed.
I wait a few seconds, but there’s nothing. Nothing but silence.
Looking back to the shelves, I sigh in frustration. There has to be something behind here. Something he’s hiding.
I put the duster down on his desk. Turning back to the bookcase, I run my hand over the shelves. Stopping at the end one, I firmly press my hand against it, seeing if there’s any movement.
But it doesn’t budge.
I move to the next stack and do the same. And I get the same result.
Frustration furrows my brow.
Am I being crazy here?
No, something is behind here. Something he doesn’t want me to see. I just know it in my gut.
And there are only two stacks left to check.
I move to the next bookcase, my heart picking up pace from the fear of being caught. Taking a deep breath, I press my palms flat to each side of the stack, and I push firmly.
Holy shit! It moved.
Only a little, but there was a definite give to the left.
My heart rate sets off like a racehorse, and my pulse starts to thrum in my ears.
I swallow nervously as I press my hands to the left side of the stack.
Okay, here goes nothing.
I give it a strong push.
And it clicks. Then, it opens.
Holy fucking fuck a duck! I was right!
I quickly glance over my shoulder, checking if I’m still alone.
Then, hands trembling, I curl my fingers around the edge of the now unlocked bookcase, and I ease it open.
And there it is.
The door.
The mothereffing door.
I fricking knew it!
Lying bastard Kas-hole.
I grind my teeth together in anger and contemplation.
My fingers are itching as I stare at the door.
Should I open it?
Yes.
No.
Yes.
I’ve come this far. Might as well go the whole way.
Flexing my fingers, my breathing hitched, I reach out and curl my hand around the doorknob.
I turn it, and…it’s locked.
Bugger.
I give it another turn, as though that will magically open the door, but it doesn’t open because it’s clearly locked.
I’m such a knobhead.
Bending at the waist, I stare at the doorknob. It needs a key to unlock it. One of those Yale keys that fits in the middle of the handle.
Closing my eyes in thought, I try to think if I’ve seen a Yale key anywhere, but I don’t recall anything.
Sighing, I open my eyes. All I remember is Kas locking this door with a key and putting it in his pocket.
He must keep it somewhere.
But where?
My eyes drift over to his desk.
I wonder if…
The back door opens and quickly slams shut, and my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
Shit!
I quickly push the bookcase back in place, hearing the click, knowing I’ve locked it. Then, I dash over to Kas’s desk and pick up the duster. I start running over his desk and computer, like I’ve been cleaning it all along.
This is so obvious. I’m so obvious. I might as well have a sign on my forehead saying, Snoop.
I’m only dusting his computer, but I’ve broken out in a sweat, and I’m breathing like I’ve just run a marathon.
I need to calm down.
Ditching the duster, I grab the furniture polish and cloth. I spray some polish onto his desk and start rubbing at it as I force myself to calm down, taking slow deep breaths.