Slowly, I walked toward the foyer, my boots making no sound on the hardwood.

I reached the front door and looked through the brass peephole.

The hallway was empty, except for a small, black velvet box sitting directly on my welcome mat.

A single red ribbon was tied around it.

I placed my hand on the doorknob, my breath catching in my throat as the elevator down the hall chimed.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft, metallic scrape.

I kept my hand on the grip of my deadbolt, waiting.

Luis stepped out of the cabin, his hands clasped tightly in front of his grey uniform.

His face was pale under the harsh corridor lights.

“Mr. Collins,” Luis said, his voice barely a whisper.

“Luis,” I said, opening the door just a crack. “What’s going on down there?”

“Two men,” Luis said, looking over his shoulder toward the elevator. “They did not register at the desk.”

“How did they get past you?” I asked.

“They bypassed the gate while I was parking a delivery truck,” Luis said.

His eyes fell to the floor between us.