“Y-yes,” I stutter. “I do.”
“Okay then.” He peers at me for a beat, one hand on the knob. “We won’t get caught. Besides, it’s only breaking in when you don’t have a key.”
Alex holds it up, the dull gold gleaming under the flashlight.
“And you justhappenedto have one?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“I cloned a copy from my father’s key ring years ago,” he admits and inserts it into the lock. It clicks and he pushes the door open.
“Of course you did.”
Alex steps aside, one arm sweeping out like he’s welcoming me into a five-star hotel. “After you.”
“Just a regular rule breaker,” I mutter as I walk through the door.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex follows me in, shutting the door behind us with a soft click.
The air inside is stale. It’s laced with that old institutional smell—dust, toner, and floor wax.
“You’re always doing something you shouldn’t.” I peer around to gather my bearings. “Like that fight earlier. What was that about?”
“He’s a dick. And was asking for it,” he replies flatly, his delivery cold and indifferent.
I continue on. “So, you just go around punching people you deem a dick?”
“That’s gold coming from you.” His voice cuts through the stale air like a blade. “Do you just go around breaking the kneecaps of anyone who pisses you off? What’s that about?”
I suck in a breath.I walked right into that one, didn’t I?
I groan, regretting that I said anything at all.
“Never mind.” I move around the front desk, checking for unlocked drawers.
“Not buying it. What could have possibly been a good enough reason to assault Jackson?”
I wince at that. There’s that word again, and like before it’s being directed at the wrong person.
“What difference does it make?” I shrug, moving on to the next drawer. “It’s not like anyone will believe what I have to say anyway.”
Alex stands in the center of the room, his silhouette looming. “Try me.”
“There’s nothing to tell. I broke his knee, plain and simple.” What’s the point in telling him? It was so easy for them all to believe that bullshit ass story Jackson gave.
“He tried something, didn’t he?”
I freeze, my eyes snapping to him. Thank God he can’t look into mine right now. I wouldn’t be able to hide the truth.
“All of these drawers are locked,” I say instead, then rush to the closest door.Nothing.
He huffs again, and I know it’s because I just changed the subject.
“The hard copies of records should be in that room straight ahead. And here.” He tosses the key, and to both our surprise, I catch it. “I’ll keep watch.”
My boots make the softest squeak on the linoleum as I move past the front desk and into the dark corridor. Every shadow feels like it could swallow us whole.
I dig out my phone from my back pocket and turn on my flash as well. Sweat forms on my palms, forcing me to wipe them on the front of my jeans, but I’m thankful to be putting distance between us, even if it’s only a brief reprieve.
Being careful to use my sleeve to avoid touching things, I insert the key and push inside. It clicks shut behind me, and I hold my phone up to see what’s in front of me.
