“The elevators are locked,” Nathaniel continued, his voice calm but resolute. “The stairwells are sealed. No one enters, and no one leaves.”

“Is Arthur still inside?” I asked, a sudden chill running down my spine.

“He is,” Nathaniel said. “He’s trapped in the building. He just doesn’t know it yet.”

He gestured toward the private executive elevator at the back of the office.

“Let’s go down to the lobby,” Nathaniel said, picking up his coat. “We will wait for him there.”

I held Ruby’s hand tightly as we stepped into the elevator cabin, the gold-trimmed mirrors reflecting our tired faces.

The elevator began its silent, rapid descent, the numbers on the digital display ticking down toward the lobby.

My heart pounded with every passing floor, knowing that somewhere in this dark, massive tower, Arthur Dunleavy was searching for a way out.

The elevator car sank rapidly, the pressure building in my ears.

Ruby pressed her face against my side, her small fingers clutching the fabric of my coat.

“Is everything going to be okay, Mom?” she whispered.

I looked down at her and tried to smile, though my lips felt numb.