CHAPTER 9

  "Oh God, Eli, please talk to me; I know it's you, and I'm going insane trying to find you!" he begged.

  "Harris," she said again.

  "Eli, where are you? Where are you? Please tell me; I'll accompany you even if you're at the bottom of hell."

  "I don't want to ask you for assistance just now..."

  "That's nonsense! Just tell me where you are, okay? If you don't, I swear something bad will happen to me!"

  Elijah was taken aback. It sounded desperate to see her in his?tone.

  "I'm standing right in front of where I took your number."

  "Huh?"

  Harris abruptly opened his office window, which was covered by a venetian blind. A telephone booth stood in front of it, with a man and a woman inside.

  "Is that you, Eli? Just stay there, okay? I'll come down."

  That was the end of the conversation, and Harris hung up the phone. He then rushed out of his office. He walked until he arrived at the stairwell. When he arrived, he almost jumped down the stairs.