That surprised Bain. Hard to believe a famous singer like Arianna Silvers would be on her own for long.
They pulled into an underground parking lot. Bain climbed out of the car and looked around as Joe shuffled to the back to pull out the bags. He quickly grabbed both of his bags, before the older, stooped man toppled over under the weight.
“Come, come. This way.” Joe waved his hand and shuffled forward at a painfully slow pace.
Bain looked over at Dominic who just grinned. When Joe said he should have retired already, it seemed that probably should have been around ten years ago.
“Are there cameras down here?” Bain asked.
Joe had to use a card at the entrance to the garage to get in, but it wouldn’t take much for someone to get hold of one of those. At the elevator, the old man swiped his card again.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Joe answered. “Rob, he’s the head of security for the building, he’d probably know.”
Bain spotted one above the entrance to the elevator, but none in the actual basement garage itself.
“Are we going to the lobby?” Dominic asked, as the lift rose.
“Oh no, that’s the good thing about this place. You can go straight up to the penthouse where Miss Ari lives.”
Bain sighed. He could feel a headache forming.
“So all someone needs is that card and they can not only get in the garage, but go straight up to the penthouse apartment?” Bain demanded. “Without checking in at all?”
“Well. Yes. But only me and Miss Ari have these cards,” he boasted proudly. “Oh, and the wife of course. And Larry, her agent. Can’t remember if her parents have one. Don’t think so since Miss Ari wouldn’t want them showing up whenever they liked.”
Christ. Hopefully the client had a better memory than her driver. The elevator opened into a small foyer.
“Tell me that the same card doesn’t access the penthouse?” Bain asked Joe.
“Course not,” Joe replied.
Joe entered a six-digit pin code into a panel next to the door. Then there was a click and the door opened. Bain looked around, spotting a camera discreetly mounted in the corner of the foyer. There was only the one, though.
“Gonna have to talk to her about improving her security. More cameras. New keycards for the elevator. Have to check if there’s some sort of alarm when people reach the foyer.”
Dominic just nodded with a frown.
They followed Joe inside, where he was soon greeted by a short, round woman with white hair and a wide smile.
“This is the wife. Estelle.”
“Hello, so nice to meet you,” she said warmly. “Can I take your bags for you?”
Dominic shook his head. “We’ll carry them, ma’am. If you could just show us where we’re sleeping, we’ll go introduce ourselves to Ms. Silvers.”
“Of course. But call me Estelle, please.” She turned and unlike Joe, thankfully moved at a faster pace. “Joe, don’t you touch that apple cobbler, it’s for Miss Ari. Girl hasn’t been eating at all lately,” she confided in them. “Apple cobbler is her favorite, I’m hoping it will stimulate her appetite.”
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nbsp; She led them down a passage. “Now, Joe and I are here every day except the weekends, so if you need anything let one of us know. Miss Ari thought you’d be happy in these two rooms.” She opened a door and they followed her in. His eyebrows rose. The room was huge, with a large window that showcased the Manhattan skyline. “Each room has a private bathroom. And the rooms connect through that door.” She nodded at a door to the side.
“Where is Ms. Silvers bedroom?” he asked abruptly.
The woman gave him a puzzled look then the smile dropped slightly from her face. “It’s at the end of the passage. Joe will have told her that you’re here, if you’d like me to take you to her. I’ll give you a short tour.”
“Thanks. Just give us a minute.”
The woman nodded and left the room. Dominic moved into the room next door as Bain quickly set up his gun, putting it in a side holster and grabbing his jacket to hide it. Dominic knocked and then returned. They both moved out into the passage where Estelle waited.