It felt stupid just standing there in front of the Blake Mansion.
I didn't dare look around at the street, anyone could recognize me even with my dark shades. I couldn't take that risk, so I lasered my gaze on the oak doors Lanke had knocked on, twenty seconds ago.
Twenty seconds that felt like twenty minutes. "What was taking them this long?" I thought, my legs bouncing slightly in uneasiness.
I hated being made to wait and worse, by the door under the influence of so many eyes. I could feel it, like needles pricking at my back, the eyes of passers-by.
"Knock again" I gritted to Lanke. As he turned to look at me, I added, "louder"
He obeyed. Jamming the brass knocker hard over and over again. He must be just as comfortable as I was standing outside. At least, it reflected in the way he knocked.
Ten seconds later, a stout man a few years older than Lanke, appeared from the slightly opened door. He was dressed as a butler, with a simple cut dark suit.
