There.
I caught a glimpse of the man disappearing up an escalator to the upper level. I ran, pumping my arms and legs. Several shoppers dodged out of my way. I took the escalator two steps at a time, and bumped into some women who gasped.
“Watch out,” one snapped.
“Sorry.” I leaped off the top. A quick glance back, and I saw Bastian running up the stairs beside the escalators.
One part of me wanted to admire the way he moved. The other part of me didn’t want to lose my quarry.
I scanned around. Up here, the walls were dark gray with bronze accents, and the floor was plush carpet with a bronze design that looked like molten metal. There were multiple doors leading to event spaces and conference rooms. I saw Dean sauntering through the double doors of the ballroom.
I raced across the space and paused. I knew better than to blunder in unprepared. I slipped a hand to my belt and pulled out a knife. It felt so good to have it in my hand.
After a steadying breath, I stepped inside.
The ballroom lights were on low. There was nobody in sight, just rows and rows of round, black tables. I could see that someone was setting up for an event. There were bronze pyramids as centerpieces on the tables. They were covered with engraved hieroglyphs, so I guessed this was for the upcoming show opening.
Where are you?My heartbeat was a steady thump in my head. I moved to the left.
Quickly and quietly, I moved through the tables. This asshole was a killer, but not an assassin. He cornered innocent people in their own homes. I was trained. I’d taken down some of the world’s most dangerous people.
I saw one corner of the ballroom was cordoned off for maintenance. There was a ladder, and some plastic sheets hanging down from the ceiling. I saw an elegant sign apologizing for the inconvenience and warning not to enter.
Pushing the plastic aside, I slipped through the gap. There was another ladder and some tools. The scent of fresh paint hit me. Someone had been working one of the grand chandeliers hanging overhead.
I scanned for my target.Come out, you coward.
“I’ve wanted to meet you face-to-face for so long,” a male voice said.
I spun. I saw a shadow moving past another sheet of plastic.
I shoved it aside.Nothing.
“Then stop playing games,” I snapped.
Low male laughter behind me. I pivoted.
He stood directly on the other side of a sheet of plastic, his image blurred. I could tell he was watching me.
I felt a faint shiver. He stared at me intently, like I was some strange specimen.
“Ed talked about you. About how smart and brilliant you were.”
My jaw tightened. “Strange, he never once mentioned you.”
“Really?” I heard something in his voice. “You were his precious Lark. You and Thorne. His best creations.”
Now, I knew what I heard in his voice. Envy. “And you weren’t good enough. From what I hear, you were a mediocre agent.”
“I’m anartist. I surpassed Ed.”
“You’re a common serial killer, Dean.”
“Ah, you do know my name.”
“Bastian recognized you. I know you target innocent people who can’t defend themselves. There’s no skill in that.”
“I target the naïve. The clueless.” His voice rose. “Those with no idea how close danger lurks.” He cocked his head. “I give their lives brilliance. Like I did for your parents.”
