It took a long while for Grey to turn out of the parking garage, and Isabelle started to fidget in her seat.
“Are we going to get anywhere in this traffic?” she asked.
“Not far, but it will cover our scent better,” Grey said.
I watched her closely as we idled along in traffic.
I don’t think it’s overload, I sent Grey. I think she doesn’t like that we could walk faster than we’re driving.
I agree.
When we were close to the building we needed, Grey took the first parking spot he found.
“The station is a few blocks from here,” he said.
We got out and started down the street. I watched Isabelle closely for any sign that she wasn’t releasing the tension adequately. Her expression remained a subdued mask of impatience, which had nothing to do with strain and everything to do with the bustle of the city. Grey pointed out the building when we got close enough to see it. People crowded the streets, and I continued to worry about Isabelle’s ability to keep herself free of all their emotions. It was hard for me to scent anything in the mix. I couldn’t imagine what she was feeling.
When Grey stopped walking, just outside the building, Isabelle kept going.
“Isabelle, wait.” Grey caught her by the arm and leaned in. “Not inside. We just need to read the people leaving the building.”
“There’s too much out there to read any one thing. I need to go inside.”
I don’t like this, Grey sent me.
She’s right about there being too much out here. I don’t like going inside either, but I don’t think she can spend long out here.
“Watch and learn, Grey. It’ll be fine,” Isabelle said as she tugged her arm free and kept walking.
I kept up with her, and Grey followed.
Inside the building, Isabelle headed straight toward a bank of elevators, and the three of us joined a group of five people going up.
Once the door closed, I noticed a change in the other passengers’ behavior. One of the women started breathing quickly, a man reached for his cell phone, another started to sweat. Before it could progress, Isabelle pulled then stopped pushing. I frowned.
We can’t stay in this building long, I sent Grey. She’s not pushing anymore.
I could scent his worry as he glanced at her.
The panting woman beside Isabelle looked at her.
“I think I’m having a panic attack,” she said.
“It’s probably just the elevator. Closed spaces get to everyone,” Isabelle said calmly.
The woman nodded slowly and seemed to get a hold of herself as she reached around Isabelle and pressed the next floor. When the elevator dinged, four of the five got off.
Isabelle turned to the remaining man.
“We’re supposed to meet with someone, but I’m not sure where to find her. Can you help me?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said with a nod. “Who are you looking for?”
Isabelle glanced at Grey.
“Penny Alton,” he said, adding the news station’s name.
“That would be the twelfth floor. There’s a directory just outside the elevator.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
The man got out when the elevator stopped at his floor. After the door closed, Isabelle pressed the button for twelve. As soon as the doors opened, she stepped out confidently and started walking without glancing at the directory.
The man at the long desk glanced up at us and stood when we didn’t pause. I felt Isabelle’s strong pull a moment before he idly sat back down, looking as if he’d forgotten what he’d been about to do.
That’s a neat trick, Grey sent me.
I didn’t think so. I was more worried about what she was holding than her ability to influence people. As if hearing my concern, she pushed out after putting some distance between herself and the man. However, two nearby coworkers started arguing.
Still neat? I sent Grey.
The scent of his amusement tickled my nose.
Isabelle wandered the hallways and work cubicles. No one paid us attention for very long. Isabelle made sure of that. However, the effort of pulling and pushing—in secluded locations—was exhausting her. She started yawning more frequently with each passing minute.
Just as I was about to tell her we needed to leave, she tilted her head and headed straight for an office door. She knocked and opened it slightly without waiting for a response. Her spontaneous action almost gave Grey a heart attack.
“Hey,” she said, poking her head inside the room. “Is Burke in here?”
“Who?” a female voice said.
“Burke Bently. Never mind, I can see he’s not.”
Isabelle closed the door before either could respond, then turned, and started walking down the hall.
We’re never doing this again, Grey sent me. I could still hear his heart racing.
Hopefully there will never be a need again.
We made our way back to the elevator banks and didn’t speak on the ride down.
“You can breathe now, Grey,” Isabelle said once we were on the street again.
“What did you see in there?” I asked.
“It was a fairly small meeting room. A man was on a ladder, installing something in the ceiling panel. I’m guessing a hidden camera. A woman, most likely Penny, was holding the ladder. The back of one of the chairs was off and on the table. No idea what for. And that’s about it.”
“Let me discuss this with Winifred and see if we should stay,” Grey said. I could tell by his tone he didn’t want to stay.
“I don’t think I can keep this pulling and pushing up anymore, Grey. I’m getting tired. And if I stop pushing—”
“Let’s go,” he said.
The walk to the car exhausted her, and she yawned almost nonstop during the drive back. As soon as Grey parked, I got out and went around to open her door for her. Grey closed his door and watched us.
“She needs to rest,” I said quietly as I offered my hand to help her out.
“I’ll meet with the others and tell them what we saw. Thank you, Isabelle,” he said.
She nodded and walked with me to our apartment.
“Are you hungry?” I asked as I opened the door.
“No. Just tired.”
She kicked off her shoes by the door and removed her jacket and scarf and tossed them on the couch on her way to the bedroom. I followed her and watched her crawl on top of the mattress and curl onto her side. I closed the blinds and joined her, pulling her close.
She sighed and almost immediately fell asleep. I held her close and shut my eyes. Although the morning hadn’t gone as planned, I still held hope for the afternoon.
Only, she slept through the afternoon and into the evening. Around five, I got out of bed and started making dinner, hoping the smell of food would rouse her. I wasn’t surprised to see the ingredients needed for fajitas in the fridge. Grey likely had a hand in planning what supplies everyone needed.
The strips of meat and onion and peppers were almost done when I heard her move in the bedroom.
She walked down the hallway a moment later.
“That smells so good,” she said, walking up behind me.
She tried reaching around me to steal a piece from the pan, but I caught her hand.
“You’ll burn yourself.” I kissed the back of her hand, took the testing fork from the counter beside the stove, and skewered a piece of meat. I handed her the fork. She looked rested and happy. No ill effects from the morning.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Isabelle.”
When I turned back to the stove, she wrapped her arm around my waist and pressed herself against my back. A hug. She was hugging me. As quickly as she’d done it, she let go and went to a stool on the other side of the breakfast bar.
“Have you heard from anyone?” she asked.
“Nothing noteworthy,” I said. “Everyone is staying in and enjoying some quiet time.”
“Sounds good. Want to try watching a movie again?” She paused for a moment. “Or we could skip the pretense and just make out.”
I stopped stirring and glanced back at her. She didn’t just offer—was she serious? She looked entirely serious. My heart gave a heavy thump as my mind tried to process what was happening.
Then she grinned.
“Okay. Movie it is,” she said.
She was teasing me.
“Isabelle,” I said, part warning, part need. She’d started something that I wanted to finish.
“Carlos,” she mimicked. Her stomach growled, a reminder that she needed to eat before we could play.
I breathed deeply to try to calm myself and turned back to the stove so she wouldn’t see how badly I wanted her.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” I said. “After we eat?”
“Sure.”
I grinned slightly at her quick accommodation. Would she still be so willing when she knew what I wanted?