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Leo nodded, removing a bag from the car trunk. “We’ll need to move fast once we’re in.”

“Agreed.” She started walking toward the hospital entrance, needing the forward motion. Needing to focus on somethingother than this man. There were answers here, even if they weren’t the ones her heart craved.

The building’s shadow stretched across them as they walked.

Focus Kat.

She hurried across the road, angling toward the north side of the hospital. The air smelled faintly of exhaust and over-chlorinated water. Here, the architecture changed. Georgian charm gave way to utilitarian function. Loading docks, ventilation grilles, bins wheeled up against blank concrete. A metal door markedAuthorized Personnel Onlysat half in shadow.

A rusty padlock hung from the door’s crossbar like a tired bouncer.

Leo gave it a rattle. “That’s inviting.”

“Hang on.”

She pulled the slim leather case from her pocket.

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that a lock pick set?”

She crouched by the lock. “Hobby kit.”

“Where the hell did that come from?”

She looked up at him and smiled. “A woman’s allowed some secrets.”

Before she touched the lock, she scanned the doorway. She checked the ceiling for camera mounts, motion sensors, anything out of place. Nothing obvious. She leaned in closer, checking the padlock for tamper traps—thin wires, magnetic triggers, micro-pins. Still nothing. Satisfied, she slid the tension wrench into the keyway and twisted gently. “Gage taught me.”

“Gage taught you?”

“Mmm.” The lock surrendered with a soft click. “Among other things.”

“Remind me never to leave valuables lying around.”

“Too late for that.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, then away.

She stood, letting the shackle drop with a hollow clink. “Either I’m brilliant, or that lock’s older than color TV.”

“Brilliant and unnerving. My favorite combination.” Leo gripped the door handle. “Shall we?”

They slipped inside.

The service corridor was dim and narrow, lined with exposed pipework. The air buzzed faintly with the rumble of generators and smelled like dust and forgotten sandwiches. Their footsteps were nearly silent on the scuffed vinyl floor as they passed unmarked storage doors and discarded mop buckets.

Together, they moved fast, swallowed by the murky light. Thirty feet in, they halted.

The door ahead was shaped like wood. Paint peeled in rust-red curls. Beside it, a keypad blinked with a dull red light.

Kat gave the door a test kick.Solid steel.“Well, this is interesting.”

“That’s private-sector hardware.” Leo eyed the setup.

“Yup.” She checked around the door frame. “No NHS branding. No inspection stickers. Someone paid good money to keep this shut.”

She hovered a hand above the pad. “Could try smudge patterns. Or pry the faceplate. But it’ll leave signs.”

Leo dumped his bag on the floor and unzipped it. He removed a compact matte black case.

Kat tilted her head. “You carry a bypass kit?”