Two houses down from the Lockwoods, a young man was renting a place. He was the one sent to protect the family.
Mr. Jagger's man was stationed at the front of the Lockwood property. He ran a small convenience store facing the street and had been there for a decade...
From eight to ten in the morning, the elderly residents of South Street were usually out. They would start trickling back around ten-thirty to prepare lunch. The entire street, once bustling with activity, was now eerily quiet. Though lined with homes for over a hundred families, its current population was no more than thirty people.
Still, he put on a mask as he got out of the car and followed Stella Lockwood home.
They opened the gate. The courtyard was empty, but cheerful laughter drifted down from upstairs. The old master's laugh was especially hearty, and he sounded like he was in high spirits.
