she intended on making a call, even if she could find a spot where there was service. Like she’d told her new roommates, no one was going to believe a word she said. The past few years had ensured that. She had a feeling the greeting she’d received from Ms. Wykes was only the tip of the iceberg around here as far as abnormal—and perhaps illegal—practices occurred. What she needed was video.
The sounds of dishes clattering softly behind her faded as she made her way down the hall, ducking into the bathroom, waiting a few minutes by the door, and then peeking out. No one had followed her. She walked quickly toward Ms. Wykes office, glancing behind her every few steps to make sure she wasn’t spotted. She had slipped out the side door when the other girls at her table rose to dish up their plates. Thankfully the table she’d been assigned to was near the back of the room, somewhat obscured by the other tables. She’d slip back in when the other students were busy clearing the tables and bussing their dishes.
She heard the sound of footsteps from above and halted, waiting as they faded away, moving toward another wing of the second floor. A staff member most likely. She was still new enough that she could fake being lost, but the longer she was here, the flimsier that excuse would look.
She took a deep breath when she’d made it to the door. She’d waited almost two weeks, biding her time, acting like a good little girl, but it was now the third Monday of the month, and she was ready. She’d watched Ms. Wykes leave out the front door as they’d been heading to the dining room, a small, black purse held over one arm. She’d glanced out the window as the long black car pulled away from Lilith House, but still, her heart beat harshly in her chest. This will only take a minute. That’s all I need. She raised her hand and rapped softly on the solid wood door on the very off-chance someone was inside. All was silent. She tried the handle. Locked. Of course. She’d known it would be. But her mother’s door had always been locked too, and Kandace had still managed to steal a good portion of her jewelry, designer purses, and any expensive clothes the pawn shop would take for cash.
She reached in her pocket and brought out a hairpin, sticking it in the lock and maneuvering it until she heard a small click. “Yes,” she whispered softly, turning the handle and ducking quickly inside. Her eyes darted around the office, her nerve-endings trembling. In the corner of the room, the one remaining bluebird eyed her silently. Kandace swallowed heavily, taking one step toward the winged prisoner but then stepping back. Sorry, buddy. If I try to spring you, you might give me away. Another time, okay? She hoped birds were mind readers and he’d understood the message she’d sent.
She turned to the box on the wall, moving quickly toward it and using her pin again to work the small lock holding the top closed. She had it open in mere moments, her hands shaking as she unhooked the key lock and pulled the top open. Empty.
“Goddammit.” She let the top drop, looping the lock through and clicking it closed. She glanced around the office, a droplet of sweat rolling down her back. She didn’t want to know what Ms. Wykes would do if she caught her in her office, much less rifling through her drawers. Her eyes bounced from the bookshelves, to the two file cabinets, to the desk, and all its numerous drawers. Where do I begin? For all she knew, the cabinets held nothing more insidious than student files. Ms. Wykes had told Kandace her phone would be returned upon her departure from Lilith House, but more likely, the phones she confiscated were smashed under her sensible shoes or Jasper’s heavy boot.
And she was out of time. The girls would be finishing their meals now. She could only pray her absence hadn’t been noticed by the staff, or that they assumed she’d gone to the bathroom without asking. This mission would have to be rescheduled.
She opened the door, glancing in both directions down the hall, turned the lock on the inside of the door, and then pulled it closed behind her.
Her heart slammed to a stop when she heard the sound of voices directly around the corner.