False Signals | OBX

Chapter Eight: Brick by Brick

JJ

"So here's how this goes," I started, all of us in the Twinkie parked on Sarah's block.

"Topper's informed Sarah that he left the window of the first floor bathroom unlocked. Also known as: Our way in." I looked at them all as I spoke, "We all split up and try to look for the master stash to see if our new Kooks really are drug lords. While we do that, Ms. Sarah Cameron has dinner with the Mitchells and stalls if we need more time."

"I'll be texting updates in the group chat—Like when we're about to have dessert or when the family get's going." she chimed in.

"Seems pretty clear." John B looked at Pope, "Time?"

"7:50—Sarah should get going." Pope answered.

Sarah nodded, saluting us on her way out of the van. We waited for her text before we made our way out, staying close to the gates as we walked along the sidewalk.

The family now at the Cameron's, we jumped the concrete wall that caged the residence in and ran to the side of the house where the bathroom was.

"Moment of truth folks." I said quickly as I went to lift the window up. Unlocked. "Topper, you son of a bitch." I mumbled, a smile on my face as I lifted myself up and softy landed inside.

They followed behind me, and we now stood in the open entrance of a Kook's freshly cleaned mansion.

I whistled, "Look at me Pope, I'm a Kook. Welcome to my crib." I spreaded my arms out.

"Yeah yeah, let's just hurry up." He started down one of the hallways.

I rolled my eyes and went my own way. I walked into the guest bedroom, looking around and going back in the hall and into another room. Nothing was found—not in any closet or bathroom—so I grew bored by the time I made it upstairs.

We were all separate until we heard John B call us over. "Do you see that?" he asked pointing at the ceiling at the end of the hallway.

"I sure do." My eyes studied the trapdoor on the ceiling. "An attic? I don't get it."

"I mean, the ceiling does slope in the further you walk down this hallway." He motioned with his hands. I hadn't noticed that. It was so subtle.

By the time you walked to what we knew was Kal's room at the end of the hall, the ceiling was lower. We could probably reach it with a small boost. So that's what we did.

I boosted him up enough for him to grab the handle and pull, a wooden ladder coming down with him. I laughed as we high fived, letting him climb up first.

Pope and Kie gathered around the ladder as we watched him go up. "It's safe, come up." We heard him say.

I began to climb, each step creaking with my force. Reaching the top, I pulled myself up. "Holy shit." I said slowly, looking around.

There were old boxes along the walls, belongings of previous owners. It obviously hadn't been cleaned with all the cobwebs hanging around. Yes, it hadn't been cleaned—but someone had been up here. The large, perfectly new black cabinet at the end of the room gave it away.