“I want to be home.”
“I’m at the Vine. You don’t want to be here. I can’t fathom a way of getting you from the garage to your condo. As you know, the first floor is public and right now, every reporter present wants to get an exclusive from you.”
“Shit.” Tears prickled the back of my eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
It shouldn’t hit me as hard as it did, yet the air seemed to vanish from my lungs, and my hands began to tremble. “I just want…” There were so many things I wanted. “You’re there?”
“I’m in my car now.”
“If I can’t go home, I need things. I can’t show up tomorrow in the same clothes. I’ll call the concierge and get you a keycard that opens my apartment. Call when you’re outside and I’ll give you the security code. Please bring me clothes for tonight and tomorrow. Throw cosmetics into a bag, there’s one under the bathroom sink. I’ll make whatever you bring work.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Oh, and Fin?”
“Yes?”
“Send me your address.”
Chapter 7
Fin
Donning an old Cincinnati Reds baseball cap, I pulled the bill down over my eyes and made my way through the crowded first level of the Vine. The same kid who had been on duty at the concierge desk the night I was given a reusable keycard was standing behind the desk. The phone receiver was to his ear, and a solemn expression was on his face.
“He’s here, Ms. Hubbard. I have an idea if you don’t mind?”
I couldn’t hear Vee’s answer, but I took a step closer.
“I have a keycard,” he began, “that can get you from the garage to the seventh floor with no stops. It’s a bypass card usually used for medical emergencies. If you’d like…” His lips curled into a smile. “Yes, here he is.” The kid handed me the receiver.
“Fin?” Vee’s voice came through.
“I’m here. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“I want to be home, and I want you to be with me.”
I nodded and read the kid’s name tag. “Ethan and I will do whatever it takes.”
“Thank you. I should be home in less than ten minutes. My security code for my condo is 0-4-2-6-1-1.” Before I could ask why she told me the code, she said, “Please give the phone back to Ethan.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I handed the receiver back to Ethan. “She wants to talk to you.”
“Ms. Hubbard?” he said. The rest of their conversation consisted of nods and the affirmative adverb—yes, I can do that.
Once he hung up the phone, Ethan asked me to wait. He again slid a keycard into the machine and pressed a few keys on the keyboard. When the key popped out, he handed it to me. “This replaces your other keycard and allows you entry into 706.”
That was why she shared the security code. A smile came to my lips. “Ms. Hubbard requested this?”
“Yes, sir, she did.”
Keeping my eyes down, I made my way through the people. Back outside, I reparked my truck in a long-term parking space, retrieved my duffel bag and a sack of groceries from the back seat. Again, I forged my way through the crowd to the elevator.
“Fin.”
I heard my name as I entered the elevator. While I didn’t answer, I lifted my chin in time to see someone take my picture. Gritting my teeth, I chose to continue my quest. I had just enough time to take my things up to Vee’s place and get back down to Ethan.
