Chapter 2

Two minutes pass. No sign of Perrin. Luke beeps the Leaf’s girlie-sounding horn. He looks up and through the windshield, hoping to see movement in one of Perrin’s apartment’s windows. Nothing. Only a sunshiny glare of white, yellow, and silver mixed.

Three minutes pass.

“Hey, buddy,” Luke says, becoming irritated. “Come on, Perrin. We’re on a tight schedule here. We both start at nine.”

Four minutes pass. More irritated, he turns off the Leaf and climbs out. He enters the building to the right of the queer bar and climbs the four flights of iron and cement stairs. By the time he reaches the fourth floor, he’s soaked with sweat, overheated. He’s not puffing, though, fit. Luke works out three times a week at MuscleButts Gym on Layland Street after work. Thank God the squats and cycling have finally paid off.

A gray steel door welcomes him on the fourth floor. He knocks once. Nothing. He knocks twice. Nothing.