Raven

Shadow

Chapter 5 - The Gardens

So first of all I would like to inform you that I'm not a mute. Everyone thinks that I am because they've never heard me speak before. But trust me, when I was young I talked too much. And then as the years passed I stopped talking.

A couple days ago we were all gathered in Wisty's 'office'. Her laboratory was quite large and it had all the gadgets she was working on. There were new pieces of technology everywhere. Hardison and Lola immediately started touching things. I held back and just stayed put. However I noticed Gift stand close to the door; too close.

Her eyes shone suspiciously as she kept her hand sealed to the handle. As I was distracted towards Gift I didn't hear the first part of the conversation.

"Because! I don't want you guys to break it!" Wisty took one of her latest gadgets off of Hardison's fingers and placed it back on the shelf besides a pile of little cubed shaped camera things and a few button cams. "You guys need to listen up! We've killed the wrong guy!"

My attention was now on Wisty as she told us what had happened. Gift was sweating and I sensed her breathing heavily. Something was wrong and I didn't like not knowing what it was. She saw me staring at her and released her grip on the handle and took a step forward.

"So what's our next move?"

***

I finally found the William's massive mansion. The gardens were full of recently trimmed hedges. There was also a large fountain that spewed up glistening crystal water. But really one of the first things I realized was the security system. I saw security cameras around every corner. This place was highly guarded. I was surprised because I hadn't expected Frederick to be so smart with his security. But what was he guarding? Maybe it was just privacy that he wanted.

I ventured towards the side of the mansion to find a giant swimming pool with water that sparkled in the morning sun. The security camera on the wall to my right caught my attention. I ducked and crawled past a hedge which looked like Cupid. I climbed up a wall without security cameras and was quickly on the roof. I zipped open my bag and pulled out one of the many gadgets Wisty had given me.

"This one is a security camera and all you have to do is attach it to a surface and press the bottom button and you'll see a red blinking light."

"Next is the microphone. You place it with the cam sometimes or on its own. But make sure that it is in range of the people talking. If they are in the same room the gadget will pick up any sound and send it to us."

I pulled out the camera piece and placed it on the wall so it overlooked the entrance of the mansion and the area around it. I pressed the bottom and the red light flashed out but not enough to be noticed.

Then I scurried back onto the high rooftops and found myself looking at a balcony. I soon found out no one was in the room and slid the doors open slowly. I slipped inside the crack and stepped inside the grand room. It was big with a king size bed to the left and a large wardrobe to the right. I clipped a microphone onto the bed post and dived behind a thick curtain just before the room slammed open to reveal Frederick Williams. He was on the phone and he was not pleased.

"Listen to me! I already told you that I'll pay for all the fees!" His voice was deep and bristly. "No you don't understand. Please, you have to keep being on my side about these issues." He started to whisper as if someone might be in the room with him. "Listen, I'm just trying to live a life of luxury, I deserve it! And you could too with the money I'm providing you with. And all you have to do is keep quiet about it, please!"

I was now watching him from a crack in the curtains. His eyes went to the gap in the balcony door.

"I'll have to call you back but please think about my offer." He pulled the stiff door open and stepped onto the balcony. This was my chance. I pulled the curtains back and ran towards the door, opening it slowly I crept into a large hallway. Pulling out the microphone I attached it to the wall and found myself overlooking a beautiful chandelier which towered over elegant stairs. From the top floor I was barely able to stick a cam on the chandelier. The thing that shocked me the most was that the mansion was deserted. No maids. No butlers. No children.