The chair is pushed back at an odd angle, as if he left in a hurry. His computer screen is still on, displaying the security feed from inside the storage room. But Ethan himself is nowhere to be seen.
I hope he ran when he heard the commotion. Then again, Ethan is a stickler for following protocol and obeying every rule, so I’m a little shocked at his absence.
I don’t blame him, though. It was the smart thing to have done.
Kaine pushes me toward the door to the refrigeration unit.
“Open it.” He hands me my keycard, which is still attached to the lanyard.
I step forward to the heavy security door.
I swipe it through the reader.
The light blinks red.
Access Denied.
My breath catches. What? That doesn’t make sense. This card should work. I use it every single day.
“What’s the problem?” Kaine demands.
“I…I don’t know.” I swipe it again, slower this time. Making sure it goes all the way through the reader.
Red light.
“Try again,” Kaine growls, stepping closer.
I do. And again. And again.
“It’s not working,” I whisper, staring at the card in my hand like it’s betrayed me. “I don’t understand. It should work.”
Kaine shoves me aside and peers through the small, reinforced window in the door. His body goes rigid.
“Hey!” he snarls, banging on the steel-reinforced door. “I see you, asshole. Let me in. Now!” He bangs some more.
“What is it?” I lean closer, trying to see what he’s seeing.
“There is someone inside there,” Kaine says. “A human male.”
So, Ethan didn’t run after all. He locked himself inside with the vaccinations, which makes more sense to me.
Kaine pounds on the door with his fist. “You in there.” He slams his palm against the reinforced glass. “Open this door!”
There is no response.
Kaine’s face is turning red. He looks at me. “What’s his name?”
“Ethan,” I tell him.
“Ethan!” Kaine shouts, his voice echoing down the hallway. “I know you can hear me. Open this door right now, or you’ll regret it.”
I hold my breath. I half expect the door to open. It doesn’t. There’s nothing. Just the sound of the chopper circling back around.
“Ethan,” Kaine tries again, and this time his voice is calmer. Almost friendly. “Listen, I don’t want any trouble. I’m not going to hurt you. I just need access to those vaccinations. That’s all. You let me in, I get what I need, and nobody gets hurt. This whole thing can be over. Simple as that.”
Still nothing.
Kaine waits, his jaw ticking. His hands ball into fists at his sides.
