Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO OPENED THE DOOR
Julian rang the office bell.
Naomi turned off the monitor’s sound.
“Does he know we’re here?” Ruth whispered.
“He knows where I work,” Naomi said. “That’s enough.”
Clara watched Julian step aside.
Two men moved into view behind him.
Naomi picked up her phone.
“This is attorney Naomi Price. Three men are attempting to enter my office. One may be armed.”
She gave the address, then looked at Clara.
“Back stairs.”
They left through the records room.
Halfway down, a door opened below them.
Clara stopped so abruptly Ruth struck her shoulder.
Gabe Russo stood on the landing.
His gun stayed holstered.
“Garage exit’s covered,” he said.
Clara pulled Ruth behind her.
“Who sent you?”
“Arthur told me to find you. Julian told his men to get here first.”
“And whose instructions are you following?”
Gabe looked at her.
“Mine.”
He opened the door to the second floor.
“Dental practice. Closed for renovation. Service elevator goes to the alley.”
Naomi didn’t move.
“Why should we trust you?”
“You shouldn’t. But the men upstairs aren’t waiting for a cleaning crew.”
A heavy crash echoed above them.
Gabe held out his phone.
On the screen was a message from Julian.
SHE TOOK COMPANY PROPERTY. RECOVER EVERYTHING. NO POLICE.
Clara read it twice.
Then she moved.
They crossed the dark dental office, passing plastic-covered chairs and a sink full of plaster dust.
At the elevator, Gabe touched Clara’s arm.
“I’m sorry.”
“For tonight?”
“For standing there.”
She looked at him.
“You could have said something.”
“I know.”
The doors opened.
Outside, Naomi called a colleague who arranged a secure place for Ruth and contacted a federal prosecutor she trusted.
Clara stayed beside Gabe’s car.
“I need to get into the basement.”
“No.”
“Locker 214.”
His expression changed.
“You know it?”
“Julian ordered that row cleared last week.”
“Was it?”
“Maintenance pushed it back.”
Clara gripped the car door.
“Take me there.”
Gabe shook his head.
“You’re asking me to walk you into the building he controls.”
“I’m asking you to help me get something he’s about to destroy.”
Gabe studied her, then opened the passenger door.
As Clara climbed in, his phone rang.
Arthur.
Gabe put it on speaker.
“Julian’s not here,” Arthur said. “And the demolition crew just moved their start time.”
Clara leaned forward.
May you like
“To when?”
“Forty minutes from now.”
