Adam had come around the back of Izzy’s house, the holdall slung over his shoulder. He was starting to like back gardens. The walls were no obstacle. Adam had a lean, athletic body, powerful arms, and he was a good climber. Had been ever since he was a kid. Years ago, he used to like jumping from balcony to balcony in his tower block. ‘The Spider-Man of Maryhill’ they called him.
He was over the wall in a moment.
The lights were on in the house, but the curtains were shut, so he couldn’t tell if anyone was inside.
He got his tools out of his pocket and picked the lock.
Then he counted down from three and opened the door. It didn’t make a lot of noise. Even if someone was in the next room, they might not have heard him. Sure enough, there was no reaction when he went inside.
Adam closed the door behind him. He stood still a moment and listened. There was movement upstairs. And footsteps on the ground floor.
Adam peered around the door frame.
The Asian guy was in the front room, scowling like his dog had just died. At that moment, he pulled out his phone and turned his back on Adam.
A deadly mistake.
Adam moved fast. He didn’t open the holdall. The sound of the zip would have ruined the surprise. He picked up a paperweight from the dining room table. It was a big ball of marble. Very solid.
The other man was still engrossed in his phone.
He had no chance.
Adam came up behind him, drew back his arm and swung the paperweight through the air. It hit the side of the man’s head with a crunch. He crumpled on the floor as a shout came from upstairs.
“Dylan?”
The sound of another man’s name filled Adam with rage.
He went to the stairs.