A small twist

The dark wood was quiet. I crept past the notepad. Near the base of the heavy brass lamp, something small rested in the shadow. A loose steel paperclip... bent out of shape. I stopped. Waited. No movement. Slowly, I reached down with both paws. The metal was cool. Firm. I braced one end against the tabletop and pressed. A dull snap of tension... then it yielded, curving into a neat right angle. A useful hook now. I tucked it beside the lamp base, hidden from view.