It was finally midnight.
Noel checked the clock for the eleventh time and finally it said what he needed it to say.
He got up.
He had already changed — black shirt, black trousers, the most unremarkable combination he owned. He stood in front of the closet and pushed the hanging clothes aside until his hand found the panel at the back.
He pressed it and it gave way.
.
The secret passage smelled of old wood and dust and the particular cold that lived in spaces nobody used. He moved through it slowly, one hand on the wall, counting steps until the passage turned and a faint line of light appeared at the bottom of a door.
He pushed it open carefully.
Second-floor corridor. Just as he thought, it was empty. The house was quiet — even the night staff had found corners to rest in.
He got his bearings and moved.
His father's office was at the end of the east corridor. He reached the door and tried the handle.
It opened.
He stepped inside.
