"Call Antonio and Angelo.Be on standby.Out here."
"Yes, Sir."
"Alfred, patch Stella through to me on the car phone."
Stella's voice says."Welcome back, Aurei."
"Stella.I have an emergency.I need to know if you can use your skills to hack into Siri's phone and access her camera."
"I can.I need her number."
"Alfred.Send Stella Siri's contact information."
"Stella, can you patch me into it when you do?"
"No.I will be the only one connected, but I can FaceTime with you on another device so you can see and hear."
"Do it.Out here."
I look at Cat."They saw her car enter and park on the third floor; she was accosted by a man in a black hoodie.They entered the elevator.They are checking each floor now to determine where they got off."
We arrive at the towers, and I lower the window.The gate guard looks in and sees Cat.
"Nothing so far."He tells her."We started at the top and are working our way down."
"Thanks, Ronnie."She says.
We ease into the garage and begin scanning the area as we travel up the floors to the third floor.My heart rate moves from the adrenaline rush to the slow, steady pace of a hunter searching for its prey.My breath is deep and even.Cat is panting.When we stop in front of Siri's car, I tell her to stay inside.I get out and look in the windows.It's empty.Climbing back in, I tell her."Keep your eyes peeled."I drive at a normal rate around and around the parking garage until we are on the 14th floor as we climb, I ask Cat."Give me the layout of Siri's apartment."
She begins at the front door."When you enter the front door, you are immediately in the living area.It is one huge room.On the left is an open kitchen.On the right side are her bed and her pole area.There is an aquarium-style pool that borders the balcony.You can see straight through it like a looking glass to the strip.Siri designed it herself.It's beautiful."I hear the strain in her voice."Like her.Open and transparent."She wipes away her tears and clears her throat.
"Siri doesn't cook."
"No.We share a chef.He hasn't been told she is back."
"Has anyone been in her apartment since she left?"
"Just me.I water her plants and maintain her pool."
I pull into the only empty parking spot, and a taste of bitterness bites me.If they had only obeyed the rules and not taken up her space.I'll deal with them later.
Turning the car off, I turn the ringer off on my phone and tell Alfred.
"Alfred, phone silence.Text only."
Yes, sir.
Then I look at Cat.She tells me."This floor is secure.The elevator doesn't come this far.If she is here, they came up the stairs."
I nod."The code this week is 8199.It's changed every Sunday.When you go through the stairs on the right along with the other condo's door, Siri's condo is the one on the left."
"What's her security code?"
She smiles."HappyFaces.Both words capitalized, no space."
I smirk, and she grins a weak grin."Don't get out of the car for any reason.If you see her, don't make eye contact.You could put both of you in danger.We know how resourceful and competent she is.Hold on to that thought.I'll be right back."
I get out and pull my gun, cock it, then stride with purpose up to the door.As I enter the code, my heart squeezes itself and shuts down.All emotion held in check.When the latch releases, I slowly push it open, hoping the motherfucker is here with her, but the area is empty.
