Is This My Great Unfinished Work?

I was reading through some old blogs and realized that I left everyone hanging on my detective story that I began writing 2 1/2 years ago. This partially completed chapter was written 2 1/2 years ago and never posted. It's kinda a set-up chapter for chapters that were never written. If you need a refresher, which I imagine you will, the first three chapters can be found beginning around July 22, 2005. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Kiranse resided in a trendy, upscale community, positioned purposely upon the highest point in the area and overlooking the burgeoning expansion of the suburbs. Each home was marked by some distinctively artistic attribute, whether it was a masterfully crafted stone mailbox, a driveway winding into a peculiar shape, or simply bushes and shrubs pruned to match the architecture. BMWs and Mercedes regularly appeared, and even with a moonless night providing some cover, I was surely to have drawn interest as I slowly edged down the road. Possessing nothing but an address, I was continuously searching for any discernible markings, hoping to locate 2423 Wilown Place.

It soon appeared, rising into view around a bend and up a sharp incline, leaving travelers the option to turn around or proceed to Kiranse’s front door. Naturally, I opted for the former. As I negotiated a three-point turn, taking my time but not drawing notice, I snapped several pictures of Kiranse’s large estate. Not wishing to call undue attention as I left Wilown Place, I sped up as I surveyed the surrounding property for a suitably situated surveillance point.

Several houses beyond the curve, having driven back down the street, I spied what I perceived to be an unoccupied house. Through the large windows I could see no furniture, and by the light of the gas-lit lamps lining the road I ascertained that the grass had been freshly laid due to its choppy appearance, in conflict to the meticulously manicured lawns of other residents. Both observations seemed to signify emptiness.

Pausing momentarily as I considered the house as a vantage point, I then coasted into the driveway and around the back. I hoped that my actions had gone unnoticed. Cutting my lights I stepped out of the car and surveyed my surroundings. The rear of the house was mired in shadow at this late hour, and it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. As its features came into focus, I could tell that it would be relatively simple to ascend the house and set up my camera. From a small wall enclosing the patio, it was but a step onto the roof. From there, I could position myself between the chimney and a ridge in the roof, shielded from the prying eyes of neighbors while taking advantage of the sharp curve of Wilown Place to gain an ideal view of Kiranse’s driveway. With a telescopic lens, I would be in business.