“Luke,” Aurelia says.
I take her into the elevator and press for the ground floor, then click the security button in my pocket. “Rick?”
“Receiving.”
“Code red,” I tell him.
He pauses, and there’s a thump and the sound of something breaking, and he says, “Fuck.” I think he knocked over his coffee cup. “Copy that,” he adds.
“He’s been in the apartment,” I tell him as the elevator descends. “He left her underwear on the bed. I’m taking the principal down to the lobby. I haven’t cleared the apartment. I don’t know if he’s still in there. I’ve called the police. Can you ring Ella at home, please?” She lives just around the corner, so she won’t be long.
“Copy that.”
I put the button back in my pocket and pull out my phone again.
“Luke,” Aurelia says, “what’s going on? You said ‘he’. Who did you mean?”
I look her in the eyes. “I promise I’ll tell you everything, but first I need to do my job. Okay?”
She frowns, but nods, and I dial Marcus’s number. He answers after a couple of rings. “Hello?”
“It’s Luke. Someone has broken into Aurelia’s apartment.”
“What?!”
“He laid some of her underwear on the bed.”
“Jesus. Where is she?” The phone crackles; there isn’t a great reception in the elevator.
“I’m taking her down to the lobby. The police will be here shortly. I’ve called the office and Ella’s on her way. Can I leave you to call Caesar and your father?”
“Yes. Caesar’s still here at the office. We’ll pick Dad up and be there shortly.” He ends the call.
I stare at my phone, wondering who else I should contact. My heart’s banging so hard I’m sure they can hear it in Wellington. How the hell did he get in? Where did he get a key card from?
“Luke.”
I blink, then focus on Aurelia. Her eyes are like saucers.
“Please,” she says. “What’s going on?”
I can’t keep it from her any longer. He’s forced our hand, and she needs to be told. I suppose I should leave it to her parents, or Marcus, but they’re not here right now, and I’m not lying to her anymore.
The elevator stops and the doors open. Relieved, I slide a hand under her arm and direct her out.
“One more minute,” I say, scanning the lobby. It’s empty apart from Roy on reception. I take her over to him. “Someone’s broken into Aurelia’s apartment,” I inform him.
His eyes widen. “Shit.”
“Yeah. I’ve called the police.”
“Was anything taken?”
“I don’t think so. I don’t think it was a robbery.”
“You think it was him?”
I nod.
