Finally, a few rays of light to scatter the oppressive darkness.
She checked her phone for the e-mail that had come in early that morning. A psychologist in Mission Valley wanted her to meet with a young autistic girl who might benefit from her techniques. After an hour-long evaluation at her psychologist’s office, Kendra would decide if she’d take her on or not. Not everyone responded to music therapy, and it would serve no one’s best interest to waste time on techniques that would have little chance of succeeding with this particular patient.
Kendra drove the twenty minutes to Mission Valley and found her way to the smallish, two-story medical building that bordered the Riverwalk Golf Course. The medical building was new. So new, in fact, that there were still pallets of ceiling tiles sitting in the lobby, and the lone elevator had yet to be activated.
No problem, she thought as she started up the freshly tiled stairs. She needed the exercise anyway. She climbed to the second floor, then the third.
She left the staircase and stepped into the hallway. It was dimly lit, as if all the offices had closed for the day, and everybody had gone home.
She checked her watch—5:15 P.M., right on schedule.
So where the hell was everybody?
She glanced down at the floor, where long boxes of molding lined the corridor. The air was thick with the odor of paint and new carpeting.
She approached Suite 316, where she was supposed to meet her prospective new client.
She stopped.
No name on the door. The frosted-glass panels next to it were dark, indicating no life or activity beyond.
She tried the handle. Locked.
What the hell?
She checked her phone to make sure they hadn’t canceled.
Nope.
She scrolled through her old messages to make sure she was at the right place.
Yep.
But the entire floor appeared to be empty. Just like the entire building, for that matter.
Someone was yanking her chain.
But why? Why in the hell would anyone—?
Footsteps echoed behind her.
She turned. They were coming up the stairs. Good. Maybe she could get some answers.
The footsteps suddenly stopped.
Then a moment later, they resumed. But slower. And quieter. It was like …
Like someone who was trying not to be heard as they approached this floor.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
They were getting closer.
Tap. Tap.
Kendra spun around.
These were coming from the other side of the hall.
Tap. Tap.
Another person trying not to be heard.
Whispers behind her.
Then in front of her.
They were talking to each other.
She wasn’t just being paranoid. She was sure they were on their phones or some other devices engaged in a hushed conversation.
And they were both still moving toward her.
She could feel her heart start to pound.
Tap. Tap.
Shit!
The lights had shut off. She couldn’t see her hand in front of her face.
That was okay. More than okay.
Did they even know who they were dealing with here? She was at home in the dark.
She crouched low against one of the closed office doors.
Stay calm. Focus.
Neither of these people, whoever they were, knew that exactly twenty-six steps separated her from the stairs. They weren’t aware of the two cartons of molding, box of nails, and the large fire extinguisher in their path. She could make the darkness work for her.
She looked up. Two green eyes glowed at the end of the hallway.
Her heart sank. Oh, no.
Night-vision goggles.
She turned back. Another pair of goggles glowing in the darkness. They could see everything clear as day.
And they were moving toward her.
Her eyes flicked between the two. Judging from the height of the goggles, she was dealing with two large men between six feet and six-foot-two. If she waited, it would be two against one.
Can’t let that happen.
She leaped to her feet and ran back toward the stairs, zeroing in on the glowing eyes.
Gotta do this just right …
The assailant appeared to be frozen in place, stunned by her frontal assault.
Or had he just stopped to aim a weapon at her?
Can’t think about that. Play it smart …
She ducked and weaved at the last moment, never breaking stride as she reached out with her outstretched hand.
She clawed upward and ripped the goggles from his face.
She felt his skin fly beneath her fingernails. She whirled around and landed a direct kick to what she thought were his kidneys. The man grunted and fell to the floor.
She spun around and ran for the stairs. Just another few—
Pain. Horrible, excruciating pain between her shoulder blades.
Can’t breathe. Can’t move.
Her legs weakened, and she felt the floor rushing toward her. Two strong arms grabbed her before she landed. She looked up.