Revolver in hand, Xander darted across the narrow corridor flanked by decorative pilasters, and made his way to the grand library on the other side. There were shelves stacked full of leather-bound books and scrolls and a pinewood table surrounded by three elegant chairs.
The violin kept playing a mournful melody, but the music wasn't coming from the library. Xander looked at Detective Locksley and signaled him to cover him as he walked up to the master bedroom which lay beyond the library.
Detective Locksley took his position on the left side of the door while Xander stuck to its right and reached for the doorknob.
"Your game is up. Faros Police Department has you surrounded from all sides. Let the hostages go!" the detective shouted.
The music kept rising as the sonata reached its peak. It was a peculiar hurried melody that sounded like the performer was racing to cross some invisible finish line.
