“There,” Cathy said, lifting her other arm and pointing to the north at the buildings down from them. “The Stratford Apartments are right up there.”
Russell studied the area, searching for any signs of possible trouble. The street and surrounding buildings showed little to no signs of civil unrest, but that could change in the blink of an eye.
The neighborhood around the building looked a bit more upscale than some of the other areas they’d seen. The structures had a newer look to them and didn’t seem as dated as the others. No fires burned from the buildings or what few cars remained parked alongside the curb.
Cathy limped out from the alley and made her way down the sidewalk. Her gaze stayed fixed across the street on her daughter’s apartment complex and nothing else.
Max rushed to her side, keeping pace with his handler as the others followed behind.
Cathy checked the street for any cars, then stepped down from the curb.
Russell rushed to her aide, taking her by the arm and helping. “Give me your arm. I’ll help you across.”
“I can get it. Besides, both of you have done a lot in helping me get this far. I’m tired of being a burden on you,” Cathy replied, waving him off.
“You’re not a burden on anyone. Far from it.” Russell stayed at her side as they crossed the street. He took her hand and helped her up on the sidewalk.
Her gaze wouldn’t leave the apartment building. She looked it up and down, taking in the sprawling structure from the base to the roof that towered over them.
A few people walked up and down the sidewalk with their heads on a swivel, checking for any danger lurking about. They moved quickly, hurrying past Russell and the others.
Max growled under his breath. A few people made a wide arch around the protective canine.
“Tell me she’s not on the top floor,” Clyde said, trailing the pack.
“She’s not.” Cathy crossed in front of Russell toward the entrance to the building. “Her apartment is on the third floor if I remember correctly.”
“That’s good. I was afraid you were going to say the top floor,” Clyde shot back, sounding relieved.
Cathy climbed the short stack of stairs to the set of double glass doors. Her hand grabbed the railing and steadied her balance as she traversed each step to the landing.
Russell stayed at her side, ready to help if she needed it.
Max galloped past them and charged the doors. He looked through the windows, tail wagging with excitement. He glanced back to Cathy and Russell, groaned, then gave a sharp bark.
“He looks like he recognizes where we are,” Russell said, staring at the excited German shepherd.
“He probably does,” Cathy replied, stepping up onto the landing. “Amber and Max are close, and he loves spending time with her. The few times I’ve brought him here to see her, he always gets excited about it.”
Russell stepped away from Cathy and approached the entrance. He stood at the groaning canine’s side, peering through the tinted glass doors. Blackness lurked beyond the edge of where the light from outside stopped.
“Probably need to go ahead and get our flashlights out now before heading inside,” Russell said, glancing to Cathy and Clyde.
“Way ahead of you there,” Clyde replied, wielding his flashlight.
“There should be an extra one in the rucksack if you want it,” Russell said to Cathy, pointing at the pack strapped to his back.
Cathy waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t need one. The two you have will suffice.”
Russell kept the Ruger stowed in his waistband, grabbed the black door handle, then opened the door.
Max rushed inside with his nose trained to the tiled floor. He sniffed the entrance, venturing farther into the darkness beyond the edge of light.
“Max, hold on,” Cathy said, limping inside the apartment.
The German shepherd paused, glanced back to the entrance, then trotted toward her.
Clyde walked past Russell, shining the light over the entryway and wielding his piece. The barrel of his rifle clanged off the side of the door as he stood off to the side.
Russell stepped through the open doorway and closed the door behind him. He pulled his flashlight out and thumbed the button. The beam crawled along the wall of mailboxes next to them, then swept the narrowed lobby over to the other wall. He focused the light on the closed doors, searching for the stairs.
“Where’s the stairwell at?” Russell asked, squinting and craning his neck.
Cathy pointed, then walked toward the darkness. “It’s back here near the elevators.
Clyde glanced at the doors, then followed behind Russell. They trained their lights ahead of Cathy.
Max headed past the closed elevator doors. His dark-brown and black coat melded within the ether, giving only the subtle outline of his large, muscular body.
Cathy limped faster, trailing the canine and closing in on his wagging tail. “Here.”
Russell trained the light on the silver handle, then to Max who stood a scant inch away from the door.
Cathy pushed the handle down then stepped through the doorway.
Max darted inside, vanishing within the black void.
Russell pressed his palm to the outside of the door, holding it open for her. Cathy followed Max to the landing then up the stairs.
Clyde nodded at Cathy, then nudged Russell’s arm. “Go ahead.”
Cathy stayed close to the railing and hobbled her way to the first landing, moving faster than Russell liked. He feared she could hurt herself further, but he didn’t dare venture such brave words. He stayed a step behind her, and watched for any help she needed.
The door closed with a dull thump that echoed inside the silent, hollow space. Each footfall called out as they worked their way to the third floor.
“It should be… right up…
