After visiting the mansion, Melissa and Stephanie are stranded by car issues and a heavy rainstorm. Calling a tow-truck, Melissa opts to return while letting Stephanie spend time in her new property. After reading some of her uncle's latest manuscripts (to be published posthumously) and fixing herself a snack, Stephanie receives a threatening phone call. The caller demands she hand over a "key". When she refuses, the man breaks in and tries to attack and kill her. But and the burst through the door is saved by the mysterious Mr. Pleasant, who throws a fireball (produced from clicking his fingers) at the man. Upon discovering his imperviousness to flames, Pleasant shoots the attacker, forcing him to flee the scene. During the fight, Skulduggery's disguise is knocked off, revealing him to be an actual walking-and-talking skeleton held together by nothing but magic.