Under his spell.

“Ensure that everyone is safely inside their homes! I need a team to search the woods nearby!”

Several officers broke off to their assigned tasks. The scene outside the mansion was mayhem. Red and blue lights flashed for miles. They bounced off the nearby homes and cars, casting everything in their urgent hue.

“This is the police! We have a search warrant!” He could feel his heartbeat in his ears.

No answer. Fine, he had expected that. What criminal would happily open their door to a squadron of police? Good, he thought. Makes the game more fun.

“Surround it!” he commanded. His forces circled the home, guns pointed at windows. He kicked the door open, and they poured into his home. It was barren. No movement, no lights, no noises. This is bad. “Fan out and search! He’s in here somewhere!” Checkpoints had been established all over the city, so there was no way Eugene could be anywhere.

Heavy footsteps filled the house, rattling crystal vases and gilded chandeliers. Captain Whitlock mad