The Vanishing of the Montero Heirs and the Law of Retribution
I walked to the elevator and pressed the button.
My fingers were cold.
I watched the digital numbers above the door count down.
A sudden vibration came from my coat pocket.
It was not my phone.
I reached into the inner pocket and pulled out a small black device.
It was Matthew’s personal burner phone, the one he had slipped into my bag at the hospital.
The screen was lighting up with a new text message.
The sender’s name was not listed, but the area code was from Barcelona.
I opened the message.
*Alvaro knows about the apartment in Sarrià. He is sending someone tonight.*
My heart skipped a beat.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Inside, the mirror showed my pale face and my dark coat.
I stood on the threshold, one foot in the garage, one foot in the elevator.
The phone in my hand buzzed again.
I stepped into the elevator and let the heavy doors slide shut.
My reflection in the mirrored wall looked pale, my eyes shadowed by the dim fluorescent light.
I pressed the button for the third floor.