Page 113 of Misery
Vanir's voice comes through our earpieces. "She's approaching the main entrance. Two guards outside. They're letting her in."
"Heat signatures?"
"Still eight. No, wait. Nine. Someone just came from the basement level."
"That's where Ivar is," I say with certainty. "Basement. Cold. Isolated."
We position ourselves around the building.
Magnus and Tor at the loading dock.
Dag covering the drainage tunnel.
Me with Kraken at the main entrance, waiting for Eleyna's signal.
Everyone else is scattered, strategically positioned.
"She's inside," Vanir reports. "Moving toward the center of the building."
Then we hear it through Eleyna's phone, which she's left on in her pocket.
"Baby? What are you doing here?" Thiago's voice. Surprised but not suspicious. Yet.
"I was worried. You didn't come home last night." Her voice is perfect. Concerned girlfriend. Slightly needy. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's perfect. After tomorrow, it'll all be over."
"What happens tomorrow?"
"I finally get what's mine. What's always been mine."
There's silence.
Then Eleyna speaks again, voice harder. "Are you thinking about her? That girl you're obsessed with?"
The silence that follows is tense.
Then Thiago's voice, different now. Dangerous. "What are you doing here, Eleyna? I thought I made myself clear."
"You hit me and I left. But I need answers. I deserve that much after the time we’ve been together."
"You deserve nothing. You went through my things. Violated my privacy."
"Privacy? You had a shrine to another woman!"
The sound of movement.
Then Thiago's voice, colder. "And now you're here. Why? Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless you told someone. Unless you're not alone."
It all happens so fast. The sound of impact. Eleyna crying out. Then Thiago's voice, cold as winter.
"You stupid bitch. You couldn't just leave it alone."
"Go!" Runes orders.
