A Bird In Hand

Ezra turned back and stepped into the elevator, the lingering scent of bleach and cleaning supplies filling the small space. He had felt a faint spike of vitality from the janitor.

He frowned and checked his watch. Three a.m. Were janitors supposed to be working this late? The janitor's presence seemed unusual, almost out of place.

As the elevator doors closed, he stole a glance at the button the janitor had pressed. It was for the top floor, where his office was located. 

That's suspicious.

"Forgot something in my office," Ezra muttered, masking his suspicion with a casual tone.

The janitor nodded, his expression blank, as the elevator began its ascent. The man was nodding along to the elevator music.

Ezra focused on the man, attempting to sense the whiff of vitality he had felt moments earlier. But now, standing so close, he felt nothing out of the ordinary. It was as if the man was exactly as ordinary as he appeared.