The brass key jammed halfway into the deadbolt slot.

Daniel rattled the brass handle twice, pressed his thumb against the faceplate, and tried to force the key to turn.

It stayed locked.

He stepped back onto the top porch step, pulled his phone from his coat pocket, and tapped the screen with his thumb.

My phone hummed twice on the coffee table beside me.

I let the call go to voicemail, opened the text screen, and typed nine words.

“The side door is unlocked.