“Why not start at the abandoned building?”

His eyebrow arched. “Easier to start at a known point. We were all in contact

when you set off after Tito.”

“Right,” I huffed out. I closed my eyes and went back. “Okay, Friday night

crowd, a group of skateboarders tearing down the sidewalk.”

“How many?”

“Three, no wait, four.”

I slipped into the memory where I captured the one in mid-trick with my camera. “The fourth came up from behind, I stepped out of the way, and

something caught my attention a few doors down.”

“What was it?” Wolf’s question merged into the replay.

“A guy tucked inside the entrance of a store. The store’s closed. He’s

smoking and acting twitchy. Like he’s waiting for someone or something.”

“What did you do?”

“Used my camera to get a shot of him. It’s Tito. I tell Kayden we’ve got company, then cross the street for a better angle. Finding a good spot, I used my

lens to get in close. I think he’s watching Hobbes, but he got another text. We know he’s working with Ellery, so maybe that’s who’s texting? Tito looks pissed.

Must not like his orders. He types something back and drops his cancer stick.

Crap, he’s going to move. Have to get rid of my camera without losing sight of

him.”

“Okay, Cyn, you stash your camera and start to follow Tito.” Wolf’s soothing

voice moves the memory fast-forward. “Where’s he going?”

“North and east. Away from the crowds.” I can feel my heart picking up

speed. “He’s taking me downtown. He’s jumpy. Not that I blame him, this isn’t

my first choice for an evening stroll. If he goes too much farther, I could be in

trouble. Kayden’s still on Hobbes and too far out if things go from sugar to shit.

Too many unknowns out here.”

A muffled curse sounded from somewhere, but Wolf’s voice kept me on

track. “Okay, stay with him, Cyn. Where are you two going?”

“He’s ducking into a half-burned building. Two stories. It’s in bad shape.

Only a couple of lights are working. It’s dark. My spine’s itching, but no one’s out there. The weight of my gun in hand helps. Why here? The barbed wire is a

bitch and tore my shirt, dammit. Kayden’s pissed, but we can’t afford to lose Tito. What if he’s meeting Ellery? No way in hell I’m letting that monster get away.”

“You’re in the building.” Wolf pulled me back from my anger, giving me

space to focus on my surroundings. “What do you see?”

“Not much. Looks like it used to be a club or a restaurant at some point.

We’re in the back, the floor is a minefield of debris, the ceiling looks like a strong wind will bring it down, and there are so many places someone could hide.” I wipe palms damp with nerves against my lap. “Too many shadows, too

many hidey holes.”

“You’re okay, Cyn. What else?”

“Someone’s upstairs.”

“Tito?”

“Maybe, but it might be two people. I can’t tell.” Frustration pecks at me.

“Need to get closer. Stairs, I need a way up. Don’t want to go up the ones Tito

took.” Images shimmered in my mind. “There, another set in the front.”

“You’re going up the stairs.”

I nod. “Halfway up, a board creaks under my foot. The voices stop. Shit, I’m

stuck. All I can do is crouch here and wait and pray. Stupid, so stupid. Someone

opens a door above me, but no one comes down. They’re just waiting there.

What are they waiting for? I hate this, it’s like a game of chicken. What if Tito’s

coming around to the bottom of the stairs?” Pressure squeezes my chest, making

it hard to breathe.

“Is someone coming down?”

“No,” a harsh, wheezing denial. “The door closes. I rush back down hoping