Page 22 of You're the Reason

Seth ran his hand down the pane like she said and found the nail on the first try.

“Did you pull it?”

“I still think this is a bad idea.”

“Then don’t lock yourself out of your apartment the day after you move in.” Leah sighed. “Sorry. I am not upset. Just so tired from being up with Isabella. I would come, but I just got her back to sleep, and?—”

“Don’t sweat it.” He tugged the nail, and it came right out. “Nail is out. But didn’t you guys remodel this part of the building a few years ago?”

“We did, but I made Jon leave that. Partly for nostalgia, partly to keep me from getting locked out. Just push the window open, and you’re good. The keys are in the cabinet to your left. But before?—”

Seth pushed the window open, and it swung inward.

“—you do, you’ll only have two minutes until the alarm goes off. The alarm code is #2477#.”

“That would have been helpful information about thirty seconds ago.”

“Sorry. Better hurry. I’m getting back to my nap before Isabella wakes up. And I’m putting my cell on Do Not Disturb so you sure you’re good?”

“I’m good.”

“Oh, and Seth?”

“Yeah?”

“We’re glad you’re here.” With that, she ended the call and Seth slid his phone in his pocket. She was glad he was here. The pressure he felt at Grant’s words was back. What was with this place?

He eyed the dirty windowsill and then his new dress pants and shirt. Maybe they weren’t new new but they were new to him and the best he could afford at the thrift store in Mason. He didn’t want to wreck them the first day, but what choice did he have? And with the way the alarm code blinked on the opposite wall, he’d better hurry.

Seth placed his hand on the window ledge at the top and tested his weight. He lifted his feet and threaded himself through the window.It wasn’t huge, probably easier for a girl Leah’s size than his. But if he angled his shoulders, he should get through all right.

He had just begun to twist his body when a police cruiser pulled into the parking lot, lights flashing. He didn’t even try to move. He knew the drill. Both hands where they could see them, even if that meant the top half of his body still hung out the window.

The officer stepped out of the car. “Hold it right there.”

He winced as the voice registered. Hammond. He lifted his head and looked at the man. “Morning, Officer Hammond.”

The man’s eyes widened slightly as recognition seemed to sink in. “Again, Seth? Care to explain yourself?”

“I work for Jon. And I’m living in the apartment above the ballet studio—or what used to be a ballet studio. I locked myself out, and Leah told me how to get in this window.”

“Break into the MIM? But I thought you said your apartment was above the old studio.” He gestured to the next door over.

“The apartment is upstairs, and after they remodeled the MIM you can only access it though the old studio. She said there was a spare key in here.”

“Along with the safe.”

Yup, this wasn’t going well, and his side was beginning to pinch as he hung half in and half out of the window. “Any chance I can climb out?”

“Sure. Just keep your hands where I can see them.”

Seth lifted himself out of the window, taking care that none of his movements would be taken as threatening just as Hammond’s radio crackled to life: “Dispatch to Unit Two. Silent alarm notification at the location of the 10-62. Proceed with caution. Copy?”

“Copy.” Hammond spoke into his radio as he met Seth’s eyes. “Why would Leah tell you how to get in this way if she knew there was an alarm?”

“She gave me the code, only you showed up before I could get all the way in to turn it off.” Seth brushed at the dirt on his clothes, but they wouldn’t come clean without a wash, maybe not even then.

As if Heritage itself was determined to point out that returning was a bad idea, large rain drops began to descend from the sky.

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