Chapter 296: Everyone's an Actor
But since someone was about to open the door, Peter and Nisso decided not to wait any longer. They would have to talk to the residents anyway.
The two got out of the car and approached the building, moving swiftly despite their seemingly unhurried pace.
The entrance had a smaller door set into a large gate. The gate was wide enough to admit a carriage, while the smaller door was used for everyday access.
Upstairs, Karl had been watching his younger brother when he suddenly noticed two unfamiliar men approaching the entrance, coming up behind Frank.
One of them seemed to sense something and glanced up at his window, making Karl frown.
Still, Karl stood openly at the window without hiding. He folded his arms across his chest and held the stranger's gaze for two seconds. If the two men below had any ill intentions, that would give them pause.
Then Karl turned, left the room, and went straight downstairs.
"Hello. Are you the owner here?"
Nisso asked politely. Frank, who had been fishing out his keys, turned at the sound of his voice and saw two men he had never met.
"Yes, this is my home. Can I help you?"
"Oh, excellent. We're conducting a survey of remarkable historic buildings. It's an important research project, and someone told us there was a very unusual building here, so we came to visit."
Listening to their explanation, Frank thought about his home. It certainly was unusual.
"Actually, we came by a little over an hour ago and rang the doorbell several times, but no one was home..."
Just then, Karl opened the door from inside and met his younger brother's eyes as Frank turned toward him.
Karl had heard that last remark too. He felt slightly