The problem was that nothing about this felt safe. If someone had already used this place, they could be watching it now.
At the gate, the code still worked. The fence opened slowly, and we drove inside between long rows of storage units. Each door looked the same, like they were hiding nothing and everything at the same time.
Unit forty nine was easy to find. The number was painted above a dented metal door, and the lock looked recently handled. My chest tightened as I stared at it.
Jessa scanned the area and said, “No one is visible, but that does not mean we are alone.”
I replied, “We cannot risk breaking anything without legal approval.”
She nodded and called Detective Ramírez to report our location. He told us to stay in the car until officers arrived.
The silence around us felt heavier as we waited. Even the sound of insects outside seemed too loud.
Then a black SUV entered the lot and stopped nearby. My body went cold because I recognized it as the same type of vehicle linked to earlier sightings.
A man stepped out and walked toward our row with calm confidence. He was not Rook, but he moved like someone who belonged there.
Jessa whispered, “Lock the doors now.”