My phone blared in my pocket with Edith’s ringtone. I fished it out and answered. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“Luca,” she wailed, “they’re saying we have thirty minutes to evacuate the building. Where am I gonna go? I have no place to stay.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure it out. I’m almost there.”
The super was pacing on the sidewalk, wringing his hands. This wasn’t good. “Carmine, what’s going on?”
He looked at me, fear in his eyes. “Mr. Vaughn. They’re saying we gotta evacuate. The pressure is coming down, but it’s still too high, and there could be a break. We gotta get everyone out.” He looked at his watch. “We got twenty minutes to comply.”
“Okay,” I said, “what can I do?”
He looked at the building. “I’ve been around and told everyone who’s home. But we gotta go back and check.”
“Okay. Do you have a list of tenants?” He looked as if I were speaking Greek. “Never mind. I’ll get it from the office. You go knock on doors.”
When he headed back into the building, I called Susanna and told her what was going on. “Email me a list of tenants. Carmine doesn’t have one.”
“Okay. You’ll have it in just a second.” I heard her clicking on her keyboard as I stared up at the building. “Okay. Should be in your inbox.”
“Thanks. I’m going to go help.”
“I’m on the way.”
“You might want to start looking for alternative housing. Thirty-two residents will be a challenge to place. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Keep me posted,” she said.
“I will,” I said, ending the call. Checking my email, I found the document and opened it. After taking a screenshot of the list, I approached a police officer who had just arrived. Explaining what I needed, I sent him the list as I headed inside.
Edith’s door was open when I got there. She was packing a bag with medication and clothes. “How much longer do you need? We have to go.”
“I need my box from downstairs. It’s got all my important papers. Can you get it?”
I checked my watch. “Okay. Get Bambino, and you go. I’ll get it.”
“You remember the code, right?”
“I do. You go. I’ve got it.”
I grabbed her bag and ushered her down the stairs. When she was outside, I headed around the side of the building, checking the time, and down the stairs to the basement. I had ten minutes to get in and out before they cut off all access.
I reached her locker and unlocked it. That’s when all hell broke loose over my head. So this was how I was going to die.
Chapter 38
Axel
“Hughes, I need to see you in my office.” Coach Byers announced.
“Ooooo, Cap is in trouble,” Kozlov teased.
I laughed it off. “Shut it. It’s probably about moving you to the fourth line, Kozzy. He just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
My teammates roared as I strolled back to Coach’s office. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
“Close the door and take a seat.”
My hackles went up as I did what he asked, then sat down. “What’s going on, Coach?” I took a deep breath.
