Toby was right, it was probably empty, but the last thing I wanted was to run into some furious guy who'd decided to stay home. It had happened once before when we'd hit a large house out in the countryside and I'd come face-to-face with a man on the way to the toilet. We'd both stared at each other in shock for what seemed like hours, then screamed in perfect harmony. I'd turned and legged it with him on my tail. It was even scarier than it sounds-he'd been stark naked.

Fortunately nothing like that had happened since, but I was eager to avoid any more encounters with homeowners, clothed or not.

Toby nudged me and I nodded, feeling a trickle of cold water slide down my back. We were sheltered from the worst of the downpour by the bush, but every now and again drips would snake down our faces and necks with an infuriating tickling sensation. Back then I thought it was like Chinese water torture. I know different now.

"Okay," I whispered, getting to my feet and rubbing the life back into my numb legs. It was a bitterly cold winter night, but through a break in the clouds the light from the moon made the world glow like it was covered in silver polish. If I hadn't been so focused on breaking the law, I might have stopped to admire the sight.

Taking a deep breath, I jogged across the garden to the sitting room windows, trampling over the flower beds to avoid making a noise on the gravel. I stopped when I heard an angry mutter behind me and turned to see Toby hopping across the mud on one leg and holding his other foot in his hands.

"Cat crap!" he hissed at me, his expression one of disgust mixed with disbelief. "Why do I always manage to put my foot in crap?"

I wanted to smile but I couldn't. I was too pumped up-adrenaline flooded my whole body like it did before every job, making my heart beat faster than a hummingbird's wings and sharpening my senses. I felt like an animal, aware of every sound and sight and smell and ready to turn and flee at the first sign of trouble.