Page 26 of Stalked By Raiden

“I know we are.”

Behind us, Royal works a single keyboard, four monitors glowing in the dim light.

“I’ve still got access to his financial accounts.”

“What about his phone?”

“Still cloned,” Royal assures me.

Roman leans against the wall. “Anything useful?”

Royal shakes his head. “Nothing concrete.”

I fold my arms. “He knows we’re closing in.”

River nods. “So, we move before he realizes how close.”

“That’s the plan.”

Royal enlarges a map of Atlanta on one monitor. “We’ve identified three properties he uses regularly.”

“The house?” I prompt.

“Most likely.”

“The warehouse?”

“Possible.”

“The lake property?”

Royal types a few more commands then shrugs. “He hasn’t visited it in weeks.”

Roman steps closer. “So, we hit the house first.”

“No.” Royal zooms into another screen. “We watch another forty-eight hours.”

River sighs. “I hate waiting.”

“So do I.”

The room falls quiet. I glance at my watch. Seven o’clock. Elodie’s faculty meeting should have ended. She should have called. I pull out my phone. Nothing. Probably still talking to Sarah. I force myself to pay attention as Royal continues explaining Drake’s security rotations.

But I can’t concentrate. My gut tells me something is wrong. A knot forms in my stomach. I excuse myself without waiting for anyone to respond. The stairs disappear beneath my feet as I take them two at a time.

The shop upstairs is empty. The last client left an hour ago. I cross the lobby and look through the front window. The elementary school across the street is dark. Every window black. The parking lot is empty. Every light inside the building has been switched off.

I call her, but it goes straight to voicemail. I try again. Nothing. A cold weight settles in my chest. She always answers. Unless…

“No…” I spin and run back downstairs.

The others look up immediately. River is already standing before I reach the conference table.

“What happened?”

“Elodie isn’t answering.”

Roman’s expression hardens. “The meeting?”