The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1)

"I know you hate small places. Just close your eyes and relax."

I did and focused on the light footsteps. Chief Carling?

Drawers opened and shut. Papers rustled.

The intruder finished in the living room and went into the bedroom. More searching. Now Daniel was the one getting restless, fidgeting and shifting. When I tried to pull away to give him room, he jumped like I'd startled him, then murmured, "Just relax," like I'd been the one fussing.

Finally, the intruder came into the study. Through the slats, I could make out only a dark figure, but I picked up a faint smell of--

A day ago, I'd have told myself I was smelling perfume or hair gel or fabric softener, something that would identify a person. Now I realized I was smelling the person's scent.

I leaned forward. Daniel tried to stop me, but I waved him off. I bent, putting my face to the slats. It was a far from perfect peephole, but I could see enough to confirm my guess.

I pushed open the folding door and stepped out. "What are you doing here?"

Sam spun.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw me. "What am I doing here? I'm not the one hiding in--" Her gaze lifted over my shoulder. "Daniel?"

She looked from me to him.

I realized I was in a notorious make-out spot with Daniel. "We're not--"

"What are you looking for, Sam?" he said, stepping toward her.

"Looking for? N-nothing."

"You were really interested in Mina Lee," I said. "You thought she was here because of you."

"What? No."

"Why are you going through her things?"

"None of your business."

She brushed past me. As she walked away, I saw papers sticking out of her rear pocket. I snatched them. She yelped and spun, swiping at me as I backed out of reach.

"That's mine," she said.

"No, it's not." I held the papers up for Daniel to see. "Recognize the handwriting?"

He nodded. "It's Ms. Lee's."

"You don't know that." Sam lunged to grab them, but I backed up again.

"She left a note for Daniel," I said. "That's her handwriting."

Sam went still. "A note about what?"

I scanned the first page. "Not about you. This one is, though. Background notes. Where you're from. What happened to your--" I looked up at her. "Your parents didn't die in a car accident. They were--"

"Give those back," she said, advancing on me.

"Your parents were murdered," I said. "Why does everyone think--?"

She hit me. A right hook to the jaw. I flew off my feet. Daniel knocked her out of the way before she could hit me again. She grabbed the pages and took off.

Daniel started to go after her, then saw me and ran back, grabbing tissue. I tasted blood. As I winced, blood gushed from a split lip. Daniel pressed the tissues to my mouth.