“There is a backup key kept in the main office upstairs,” he said.

“But the security cameras on that floor are routed directly to the main desk.”

“I can loop the feed for exactly five minutes.”

“After that, the system resets.”

Ethan looked at the digital clock on the wall.

“Do it,” he said.

Arthur pressed a series of buttons on his console.

A green light on the wall panel blinked, turning amber.

“Go,” Arthur said. “Office four-one-two.”

“The key is in the brass cup on the desk.”

Ethan and I ran toward the service elevator.

The metal doors closed with a loud clang, and we rose to the fourth floor in absolute silence.

The lift smelled of grease and old dust.

My hands were sweating against the fabric of my coat.

The elevator doors opened onto a dark hallway lined with locked glass doors.

Our shadows stretched long and thin under the emergency exit lights.

We found office four-one-two at the very end of the corridor.

Ethan pushed the door open, and we stepped inside the dark space.

The room smelled of stale coffee and carpet cleaner.