Chapter Two
Devon rolled over in bed and reached for his phone. He glanced at the time.
“Hell, two thirty.” This better be good, he thought.
“This is Fowler,” Devon said.
“Sir, this is Mr. Roberts, the manager of the place Emma Hammond lives.”
“Yes, what’s up?”
“I’ve heard someone in the apartment again just now, and you told me to call you.”
Devon sprang from the bed, grabbed the first thing he reached for, and pulled it on. “I’ll be right there. Keep your eyes on the place.”
“I will.”
Devon hung up, found a shirt and boots, and then hurried out of his condo and got into his car.
The twenty-minute trip took half the time because he was speeding, and no one else was out at that time of night. He hated breaking the law, but it might be his only chance to catch her.
He parked in front and then raced into the apartment building, where he found the manager waiting by the front door.
“Are they still in the apartment?”
Mr. Roberts nodded. “Yes, I just heard something a few minutes ago. Do you think it’s Emma?”
“I really hope so. Can you stay here while I check around the building? I want to make sure she doesn’t escape.”
“Sure.”
Devon went back out onto the sidewalk and looked up. It was faint, but he did see the light in her place. He skirted around the building and found the fire escape ladder that had been pulled down.
If it was her, that was how she was getting in undetected. Besides the ladder, he saw no other evidence of any tampering.
He went back inside. “Can I have the key?”
“Are you sure you’re not out to hurt her?”
“Yes. I gave you my card. Didn’t you check me out?”
“Yes, I just feel funny about this. She’s a sweet girl, and I don’t want her to be hurt.”
“I can promise you that I’m here to take care of her. She shouldn’t be out on her own.”
“That I agree with.”
Devon took the key the man handed him.
“Just leave it in the apartment or drop it in the slot in the door when you leave. Knock if there’s anything you need.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Devon quietly walked up the stairs, put his ear to the door, and heard nothing. He put the key in the lock and carefully opened the door. The first thing he saw was a small person jumping out the window. He rushed over.
“Wait, Emma, stop,” he yelled as he looked down at her.
The figure who paused halfway down the fire escape ladder looked up at him as he leaned out the window and then took off.
“Dammit.”
He raced out of the building and went the way he saw her going down the alley.