el and glass structure hadn't changed much since he last walked through those doors-but he had. He could feel it in the way his steps slowed, in the hesitation lingering in

pped i

ional comfort he hadn't smelled in years. The lobby was bright with early light filtering t

him-nearly spilled his coffee as he jumped to attention. Charlie gave a small, wry smile.

?" a voi

a bushy mustache grinning from the reception desk.

al," Charlie said a

through," Hal laughed. "What brings th

replied. "And maybe

t with a pat on the back. "You've still got

in his gut. Every corridor brought a memory. Every door reminded him of a case. Every face

of gun o

brass plaque on a door: Room 312 – De

pped i

" came a voice that had once

wearing the same brown suspenders and crooked tie. His hair had tu

ithout a subpoena," Jack joked,

untarily. M

kind of shoulder slaps only for

m to a chair and collapsing into

unds," Charlie replied. "You g

arms folded. "Al

rd. "I'm working a case. Missing person

eal estate tycoon, hangs out with p

's missing, no activity on his accounts, no c

ly's got enough money to buy silenc

half a mil up front. That kind

this time. "Damn, Bateman.

w if he's left the country in the last 24 hours. F

head, nodding.

a secure channel to the national database. The screen scrolle

ited in

d slightly-new posters, different furniture-but it still smelled the same. Like swe

ed at him.

n't respond

o behind Jack's desk. It was old-faded now-b

" he wh

ession softened. "She'd have lik

hroat tight. "She should've

hat was yo

ashing like stills from a tragedy he could ne

sion, the fire, the screaming. Eliza had died in the line of duty-his partner, his be

ck said finally, br

leaned

bout a month ago. No record of him returning. No recorded departures since

he didn't use

dn't leav

hen I need to talk to Veronica again.

walking Charl

ul. These rich folks? They're a different breed. They lie with smiles, th

d. "I'll keep

You still got it, Bateman. Just don't let

smile. "I'm not eve

into the hallway, the pr