I did not go down.

The twin brass clasps of my leather briefcase snapped down with a sharp click.

I pushed the heavy case across the floor and slid it behind the velvet armchair in the corner of the living room.

The doorbell chimed deep in the house before I could stand back up.

Robert was out meeting with the estate groundskeeper about getting ready for winter, so I walked into the foyer to answer it myself.

I pulled the heavy brass handle and opened the solid oak door.