Page 61 of Exposé

Wind whipped through the flat top, sending a loose wire swinging. A heavy metal piece attached to its end clanged against the rooftop access door, its erratic rhythm reminiscent of György Ligeti'sAtmosphères.

Swiping the coated wire from the door, I tugged on the door handle and groaned as it stayed in position.

Okay, then.

I kneeled, becoming eye-level with the handle, and grabbed my thin leather lock-picking kit that had been with me since my Marine Corps days. With thirteen years of practiced precision, I slipped the tension wrench from its designated space and slipped it into the keyway, moving the picks inside the lock and coaxing each pin into place.

Click.

A smile tugged at my lips as I eased the door open.

Too easy.

Has Ava made it in already?

I stood, pocketed the tools, and shouldered my way inside the small blackened steps.

Thumping techno music thundered in my chest the deeper I traveled into the warehouse, as though someone built layers upon layers of soundproofing into its walls.

The stairs ended at a door in a small square space, the music behind it beating through the seams.

She was there.

Why did my little recluse venture out today?

I opened the door and walked through, my white shirt glowing in the black light.

Every shadow has its silhouette, and tonight, I'll find hers.

13

Ava

Aria dragged me towards the bar as I leaned into her, the heavythump, thumpof the bass vibrating my soul. "Where do we start?"

"Try blending in first." She leaned over the makeshift bar and waved the bartender over. "Jack and Coke."

Aria held up two fingers, and the short man with a straight bar through his septum nodded.

It looks so painful.

"How long do you think this is going to take?"

Aria nudged me, and I glanced down at the drink in her hand, then took it. "To what? Have a good time? That all depends on you."

I snorted and leaned into her, then took a tentative sip, the liquid hitting my tongue like a slap.

The harsh, smoky burn of the whiskey mingled with the sickly sweet cola, creating a concoction that made my taste buds revolt.

"Ugh, God.”A grimace twisted my face, my lips pulling back. “This is why I stick to beer.”

I pushed the aftertaste aside and swallowed down the remaining drink. My nose wrinkled, my gag reflex firing as I set the cup down with a shudder.

"Another?"

I groaned and shook my head. "I have work to do, and I can't do it if I'm sloshed."

"Ava, you are twenty-five years old. There is no reason for this responsible talk. Come on, live a little."

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