“Romano needs to be fast,” she said. “Once the audio goes live, they will lock down the entire building.”

“Understood,” I said.

The elevator passed the twentieth floor.

The hum of the motor was the only sound in the small space.

I looked at Romano.

His face was pale, his eyes fixed on the floor indicator.

“How is your heart?” I asked.

“It is beating,” he said. “That is enough.”

“We do this together,” I said.

“We always have,” he replied.

The elevator slowed down, the indicator light clicking to thirty-nine.

The doors opened.

The hallway was dimly lit, the floor carpeted in a deep blue.

“The server room is down the hall to the right,” Romano whispered, pointing.

“I will wait at the service stairs,” I said. “Once you have the feed ready, signal me.”

“It will take me ninety seconds,” he said.

He stepped out of the elevator and vanished down the corridor.

I stood by the heavy metal door of the service stairwell, my hand resting on the handle.

My phone in my pocket began to vibrate.

I pulled it out.