A loud, aggressive knock echoed through the empty space.

Nora slammed the laptop shut with a sharp plastic snap.

The metallic echo of the knock vibrated through the concrete floor of the warehouse.

“Who is that?” Nora whispered, her hand gripping my forearm so hard her knuckles turned white.

“I don’t know,” I said.

I reached down and slid the silver flash drive out of the USB port, squeezing it tight in my palm.

We sat in the dim light of the single desk lamp, holding our breath.

The knock came again, harder this time, accompanied by a heavy rattling of the metal door handle.

“Open up! Code enforcement!” a gruff voice called out from the street.

Nora looked at me, her eyes darting to the rear exit.

“It’s too late for a routine inspection,” I whispered.

“They’re looking for us, Madeline,” Nora said, her voice barely a breath.

I slipped the flash drive into my inner coat pocket and zipped it tight.

We crept toward the back corridor, keeping our shadows away from the dusty windows.