Extract From Notebook 4
I should have guessed you’d get your lock changed after I broke into your house a second time, Nell. And you had an extra one added, which made my life a little more difficult, but not much.
It wasn’t a problem per se because once I knew what type of locks they were, it wouldn’t take me long to learn how to pick them. Sometimes, when I think of all the skills I’ve had to learn as a means to an end, I feel a little in awe of myself.
I needed to get up close and spend a minute or two in front of the door to see what had been installed.
I didn’t want to be seen loitering on your doorstep because now that everything is nearing an end, I don’t want to run the risk of being discovered before I can deliver my coup de grace.
So I decided to pretend I was delivering a parcel, which would allow me to stand on the doorstep for a while.
I had an empty box in mind, because why go to the trouble of putting something inside when an empty box could signify a coffin?
But I felt something a little more subtle was required and in the end, I settled for flowers, which I bought past their best and kept them a few days so that they’d be nicely decaying by the time you found them.
I was surprised how long it took me to choose the lilies. I spent quite a while wondering if you might prefer roses, or germini or even lisianthus before realizing that it didn’t actually matter.
We’ll hardly be discussing our favorite flowers when I kill you.