Page 53 of Deliverance

"Oh, yes," the man replied. "I have the key at my desk."

"Actually"—I stuck my finger up to halt him—"you saw Mrs. Russo get into a yellow cab?"

"I did." He nodded.

"Do you know the car number?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't know I needed to get the number."

I smiled to put him at ease. It wasn't his responsibility to keep tabs on the residents. "That's okay." I looked up at the side of the building near the awning. "Are there cameras?"

"Yes, of course."

"Any chance I can take a look at the feed?"

"Sure." He walked through the doorway. "Let me grab the key to the security room."

I followed him down a short hallway to a door. He motioned to a monitor. "I haven't had much practice with this thing."

"That's okay. I can figure it out."

The doorman nodded and left me to it. It wasn't the same system I had at the penthouse, but after a few clicks, I found where the feed was being saved. Frank had told me that his wife had been missing for two days. Since I didn't know the time, I went back two days and started the footage at a semi-fast speed.

After a few minutes, my phone buzzed with a text:

Frank:Anything?

I rolled my eyes. How he thought I could find her so fast was beyond me.

Me:Viewing the security footage at your building to see if I can get the number of the cab so I can contact them.

Frank:Good thinking. Keep me updated.

I didn't bother texting him back.

I wished I was at the penthouse. I’d never thought I would havethatfeeling, but as I sat there skimming the recordings, I wanted to be sitting at the kitchen table with Erin and Zell. I looked forward to it every morning I woke up, even if things weren't the same as they used to be. Erin and I no longer had our private chats, and Zell hadn't been on the ground level in forever. I was ready to change it all. I'd been ready, but now I was beyond waiting for a good time. There would never be a good time, and I knew that.

My phone buzzed again.

Saffron:Where are you?

It didn't cross my mind to tell Saffron I would be late. Even though I technically worked for her, Frank was the boss, and I was doing what he told me to do.

Me:Mr. Russo needed my help. Not sure when I'll be in.

Saffron:With what?

Me:You should ask him.

I wasn't going to tell Saffron that Frank's wife was missing. If he wanted her to know, he could tell her himself. What was Saffron going to do? Fire me?

Sometime later, I finally saw Quinn on the monitor, stepping out of the building. The doorman flagged down a cab for her, and after it pulled up to the curb, Quinn got in. She didn't seem out of sorts, and no one was with her, just like Frank had been told. I was able to get the number of the cab and the company off the door and side panel.

"Were you able to get what you needed?" the door guy asked as I walked into the lobby.

"I did. Thank you."

"I hope you find her. I've always liked Mrs. Russo."