“Police,” a voice called. “Open the door.”
Cole didn’t move.
The knock came again, harder. “Sir, open the door now.”
Evelyn grabbed Cole’s sleeve with trembling fingers. “Do it,” she hissed. “Just do it.”
He yanked his arm free. “Stop acting like they can do anything.”
Grant’s voice stayed on speaker, unwavering. “They can do plenty. Especially when the neighbor across the street has already uploaded the audio to the building’s community feed.”
Cole’s head snapped toward the window. “What?”
The handle rattled. The voice outside sharpened. “Sir, if you do not open the door, we will enter.”
Cole stormed to the hallway and yanked it open.
Cold night air rushed in—followed by two officers and an EMT crew with a stretcher. Behind them stepped a man in a dark coat, posture straight, face composed, eyes like polished stone.
