I did not actually have a weapon, but the lie felt necessary for the intercom speaker.

Through the camera feed, I saw the elevator doors slide open at the end of the hall.

Luis stepped out, flanked by two guard officers in gray uniforms.

The two men outside my door did not hesitate.

They immediately turned and walked toward the emergency stairwell, their hands raised in mock surrender.

“We were just leaving, officers,” one of them called out, his voice echoing in the tiled hallway.

“Just delivering a message.”

Luis followed them to the stairwell, his hand resting on his holster.

I watched the screen until the hallway was completely empty.

I sat down on my leather sofa and waited.

The humidity of the Miami night seemed to seep through the glass of my balcony doors.

Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text from Luis.

*They are gone. Police are downstairs taking a report. You are safe, Captain.*

I did not sleep that night.

I sat in the dark, watching the lights of the city blink across the bay.