Page 89 of Jep

“That’s not the reason. I know how to pick locks.”

“You do not.”

“I do,” Em said.

“Where’d you learn?”

“Tell you what, you clear the apartment so I can come have a look, and I’ll tell you then.”

He glanced at the mailboxes. “Deal. But I want to see you in action. Open the mailbox. What’s the apartment number?”

“Two-oh-four.”

He handed her a lock pick set, and she got to work.

“Give me some room,” she said, nudging her shoulder back into his chest.

He shifted a little but remained perched over her shoulder.

“Not bad,” he said when the door popped open.

“Not bad, but it’s empty. Hopefully we’ll have better luck upstairs.”

“It shouldn’t take me long, but pull out your phone.”

“Why?”

“If anyone comes in, you need to have a reason for standing here. Being distracted on your phone is as good a reason as any.”

She dragged it from her pocket and waggled it in front of him. “Ready and waiting.”

“I’ll come get you once I know it’s safe.” He took one more look at her before he headed up the stairs.

His boots scuffed on the threadbare carpet as he canvased the hall. The one light that illuminated the dim hall flickered, drawing attention to the peeling wallpaper and stains he’d rather not try to identify.

When he reached the apartment, he knocked and turned his back in case someone looked through the peephole. When there was no response, he waited and listened before picking the lock.

With his gun in hand, he turned the knob, stepping out of a direct line of sight as he pushed the door opened. Thesilence continued besides thedoof-doofcoming from another apartment.

After another beat, he entered, taking minimal notice of the contents of the rooms as he cleared them.

A square wooden table in the kitchen was full of what looked like bomb-making material, but he’d confirm that later. A wall in the living area was covered in newspaper articles. On the floor, against another wall, was an unmade mattress. It looked like someone had been sleeping on the couch as well.

He moved into the one bedroom and found it empty besides a double bed and a plain bedside table that had several books about ending Western tyranny as well as a large statue of a figure holding a knife in the air, waiting to strike. The bed was made.

The closet and the bathroom had a few personal items and toothbrushes that would make it easy to get DNA.

He went back to the living room but hesitated before leaving. He wanted to call the team in right away, but he couldn’t do that to Em. He was also curious to know her thoughts on the apartment. There wasn’t much, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she noticed something no one else would.

Em was scrolling through the latest news when Jep came back downstairs.

“We’re clear,” he said. “You ready?” He tossed her a pair of latex gloves.

“How’s it look?” She stretched the rubber over her fingers while Jep did the same.

“Like you’d expect. Not much in the way of personal items, but you might know better.”

Em nodded and followed him up the stairs, but she stopped when they reached the doorway.

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