Diem went to the window, didn’t bother trying to see beyond, and pounded on the glass with similar intensity. I cringed, waiting for it to crack under the assault. If anyone was asleep inside, they wouldn’t be anymore.
No one responded. “They could be spooked,” I said. “If someone pounded on my window at night, I’d hide under the bed.”
Undeterred, Diem pounded again. When he got no answer, he moved along the side of the building, rapping on every window to noavail. We’d made enough noise to wake the dead. If anyone was inside, they were alert to our presence.
Giving up, Diem scanned the exterior of the building. “No cameras?”
“No.”
Diem glanced up. “No balconies?”
“Around the sides and back.”
He aimed for the corner.
The balconies didn’t start until the second level, and as he stood below one, examining it, I groaned, knowing what he was thinking before he spoke. Balcony doors were easy to jimmy. Often easier than getting through locked windows in commercial buildings.
“Come here. I’ll give you a boost. Grab the bottom rung of the rail and pull yourself up. Break in, then come down and unlock the front door.”
“Boost myself up. In what universe do you think me capable ofboosting myself up?”
“I’ll help.”
I craned my neck, studying the obstacle while envisioning all the ways it could go wrong. “Scaling balconiesandrunning. All in one day. Remind me again why I complain about desk work?”
Diem smirked. “Are you rethinking your job description?”
“I’m rethinking my life choices. I should have gotten myself a sugar daddy like Memphis, then I could lounge on the couch all day and watch reality TV while a manservant named Jeeves fed me peanut butter cookies and grapes.”
Diem chuckled. “Sorry I don’t make millions like Joshua.”
“It’s all right. I still love you. Plus, Joshua is younger than Memphis, so he’s all sugar and no daddy. They’re two bottom bitches, too. I don’t even understand how they work together.”
“Is this the kind of thing you think about?”
“In my spare time, and I have a lot of spare time at my other job. You know, the one where I don’t have to run and scale buildings like I’m Spider-Man.”
“Can we do this, or should I pop popcorn and rub your feet?”
I tried to crack my knuckles to look tough—they didn’t crack—then I performed a few lunges to warm up my muscles.
Diem chuckled. “You look ridiculous.”
“I may not be strong, but I’m limber.”
“Don’t I know it. Are you ready?”
“Nope. Not at all, but here we go.”
Diem managed to boost me—with difficulty—to his shoulders. I almost fell twice, but he caught me both times. Using the wall for balance, my legs shaking, I reached for the bottom rung of the railing. I caught it easily, but didn’t have enough upper body strength to pull myself up, so I dangled.
“Help. I can’t do it.”
“Yes you can. Stand on my hands. I’ll push you higher. Swing a leg to the platform.”
“D, you’re hurt.”
“I’m fine. Do it.”
