When Grey stopped walking just outside the building, I kept going.
“Isabelle, wait.” He caught me by the arm and leaned in. “Not inside. We just need to read the people leaving the building.”
“There’s too much out there to read any one thing. I need to go inside.” Worry surrounded him. “Watch and learn, Grey. It’ll be fine.”
I tugged my arm free and kept walking. Inside the building, I barely spared a glance to the grand lobby or reception desk. Veering to the right, I headed toward a bank of elevators. The three of us joined a group of five going up.
Once the door closed, I noticed a change in the other passengers’ behavior. One of the women started breathing quickly, a man reached for his cell phone, another started to sweat. Before it could progress, I inhaled lightly, then kept the emotions. It seemed to stop their growing discomfort, but it didn’t remove it.
The panting woman looked at me. “I think I’m having a panic attack.”
“It’s probably just the elevator. Closed spaces get to everyone,” I said.
She nodded slowly and seemed to get a hold of herself as she reached around me and pressed the next floor. When the elevator dinged, four of the five got off.
I turned to the remaining man. “We’re supposed to meet with someone, but I’m not sure where to find her. Can you help me?”
Though the initial emotions I’d released were missing, he still held a hint of panic. I pulled that away from him and didn’t release it again. He exhaled his relief and nodded.
“Sure. Who are you looking for?”
I glanced at Grey.
“Penny Alton,” he said, adding the news station’s name.
“That would be the twelfth floor. There’s a directory just outside the elevator.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
The man got out when the elevator stopped at his floor. After the door closed, I pressed the button for twelve. As soon as the doors opened, I stepped out confidently and started walking without glancing at the directory.
The man at the long desk glanced up at us and stood when we didn’t pause. I stole his concern as soon as it started to surface, then his curiosity, and finally his indignation. He idly sat back down, looking as if he’d forgotten what he’d been about. I knew he still remembered us; he just didn’t care anymore.
As soon as I was far enough away, I pushed what I’d siphoned out again. Two coworkers started arguing.
I walked down a hallway and used people’s emotions like a dog sniffing for food. When I scented a flurry of secrecy and excitement, I headed for it. A few times, it was a person working quietly at a desk. I stifled a yawn and passed those by. Whenever anyone grew curious about us, I took that emotion away, held onto it for a bit, and then pushed it out as I moved along.
For the most part, we blended with the people around us. At least, I did. I doubted Grey blended.
I yawned again and wondered if I’d ever find Penny. Maybe she wasn’t as excited about meeting Charlene as I’d been led to believe.
Finally, I located what I was looking for. Massive excitement and righteousness behind a closed door.
I knocked and, without waiting for an answer, opened the door and poked my head in. Grey’s anxiety coated me.
“Hey,” I said. “Is Burke in here?”
The woman holding the ladder turned to look at me in annoyance. “Who?”
“Burke Bently. Never mind, I can see he’s not.”
I closed the door before either could respond, then turned and started walking down the hall. The people in the room remained focused until I walked out of range.
Neither Grey nor Carlos said anything as we made our way back to the elevator banks.
“You can breathe now, Grey,” I said once we were on the street again.
“What did you see in there?” Carlos asked.
“It was a fairly small meeting room. A man was on a ladder, installing something in the ceiling panel. I’m guessing a hidden camera. A woman, most likely Penny, was holding the ladder. The back of one of the chairs was off and on the table. No idea what for. And that’s about it.”
“Let me discuss this with Winifred and see if we should stay.”
“I don’t think I can keep this pulling and pushing up anymore, Grey. I’m getting tired. And if I stop pushing—”
“Let’s go,” he said.
The walk to the car exhausted me. I was yawning almost nonstop. The drive to our building wasn’t much better. Carlos and Grey remained quiet.
Back at the apartment building, Carlos and I parted ways with Grey. Grey had agreed that I didn’t need to be present when he told the others about the building and what I’d seen.
With relief, I followed Carlos to our apartment.
“Are you hungry?” Carlos asked as he opened the door.
“No. Just tired.”
I kicked off my shoes by the door, then removed my jacket and scarf and tossed them on the couch on my way to the bedroom. It didn’t surprise me that Carlos followed. I fell onto the mattress and curled on my side. Carlos closed the blinds and joined me, pulling me close.
* * * *
My stomach was making weird noises. It brought me out of my sleep enough to know I was alone. Frowning, I sat up. The clock said it was close to six. The wonderful tang of spicy food scented the air, and I heard faint noises from the kitchen. Bounding out of bed, I could only think of food.
I found Carlos in the kitchen.
“That smells so good.” I walked up behind him and peeked around his broad shoulders. He was stirring beef, onions, and peppers. Reaching forward with every intention of stealing a piece of browned beef, I was surprised when he caught my hand.
“You’ll burn yourself.” He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it in an old-fashioned way that made my pulse dance. Then, he took a fork from the counter beside him and skewered a piece of meat. He handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Isabelle.”
Spontaneously, I leaned against his back and wrapped my free arm around his waist for a quick hug. He tensed, and I knew I’d surprised him. Before he could make a big deal out of the embrace, I went to my stool on the other side of the breakfast bar.
“Have you heard from anyone?” I popped the bite of meat into my mouth. It was hot but so good, and I savored it. Grey had been right about Carlos’ fajitas. They might just make it into the trinity. After all the fast food, burgers had lost some of their appeal.
“Nothing noteworthy,” Carlos said, answering my question. “Everyone is staying in and enjoying some quiet time.”
Another night alone with Carlos. I wondered if it would be a repeat of last night.
“Sounds good. Want to try watching a movie again?” I let the question hang for a moment. “Or we could skip the pretense and just make out.”
He stopped stirring and glanced over his shoulder. Shock was plain on his face, but was quickly replaced by a look that warmed the room.
“Okay. Movie it is,” I said.
“Isabelle.” His voice was rough and full of warning.
“Carlos,” I mimicked.
He breathed deeply and turned back to the stove.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” he said. “After we eat?”
“Sure.”
I honestly didn’t care what we did. After my nap, I was wide awake and ready to do something.
He turned off the stove and brought the pan to the island where our plates and tortillas already waited. My stomach rumbled in anticipation as I made up two fajitas. Carlos seemed less enthused about eating, spending more time watching me. So I made a fajita for him and set it on his plate. He took the hint.
We ate together in silence. I didn’t mind it, but I thought him extra quiet. I wondered if my teasing had hurt his feelings. I’d told him I didn’t know what I was doing relationship-wise.