“Damn! We’re not going to beat him there,” said Finn.
“Just hold on,” said River.
He turned off the road, driving across the grassy parade grounds of the university. Cutting through multiple parking lots and side roads, they pulled up to the building down the street and walked the rest of the way.
Approaching from the faculty parking lot, they noticed no cars and frowned.
“He’s not here,” said Finn.
“It doesn’t mean anything. He could be here but parked somewhere else.”
“Maybe he didn’t see the text and he’s waiting in the chem lab,” said Kev. Finn nodded.
“You and River go check out the chemistry building. Let us know if you see anyone.” It took Finn a moment to pick the lock for the faculty entrance but when he did, they were able to get up the steps and slowly make their way down the hall.
Stopping several times, they listened for any sounds at all but heard nothing except the HVAC system kicking on and off. Half-way down the hall, Finn raised his hand, tapping his ear.
“I hear it,” whispered Quinn. “A door?”
“No. No, it’s a window!” He took off running and hit the door with his shoulder, realizing it was locked from the inside. He shoved hard, then stood back and ran toward it, his leg raised.
The lock broke but something was blocking their way.
“He’s got the desk in front of the door,” said Finn. “Push!”
Quinn and Finn pushed but couldn’t get the massive oak desk to budge. Quinn tapped his brother’s shoulder, pointing to the window at the end of the hall. As they opened the window, leaning out to look at what was below, they spotted the professor running across the lawn.
“River? Kev? Head back this way. He jumped out the window and is on foot.”
“Roger that.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“We lost him,” said River. “I think he got mixed up with the krewe that was getting ready to head to their parade route. I’m sorry, Finn.”
“No. No, it’s alright. We lost him as well. He knew we were coming or he saw us. That damn desk was pushed against the door and braced. We’ve got to find him or Nicole will be dead.”
“We’ll find him, brother.” Quinn looked at River and Kev, nodding.
“Where’s Jeannie?” asked Finn.
“She went to Nicole’s house to be with her sisters. I think she’s going to stay there for a while until we can find this guy,” said Kev.
“I think that’s smart,” said River. “None of them should be alone. Is Weil staying there as well?”
“I didn’t even think about him,” said Kev. “To our knowledge he hasn’t targeted men.”
“No, but he might target him for information,” said Finn. “Let’s just send him a message to stay with the group. We need to find out who the hell this guy really is.”
It wasn’t possible.
How could they know what his plan was? His father would be so disappointed in him. He would be chastising him for his carelessness and choosing the wrong woman. Again.
“How?” he muttered to himself. “How?”
He pulled into the parking lot and walked toward the attendant.
“Good morning, professor,” smiled the young man.
