Chapter 8

Abigail's screech echoes through Audrey's mind. "The man said

something." Audrey says to Officer Evans. "Something about stealing dust, and

becoming dust." Audrey says trying to make sense of it. "McKenna, run dust

through the system and see if there's a new street drug." Noah orders. "Miss

Lee, call me if you remember anything else. I have some leg work to do."

Audrey could tell by Noah's demeanor that he was feeling the gravity of the situation. He wanted to get to his sources as soon as possible. People like Noah worked hard to uproot evil and make the city a safe place, regardless of the cost and toll it would take on himself. Audrey left the sterile interigation room. The station had settled down, since most of the staff had either gone home or out on patrols. "We called a taxi for you." Noah says from behind Audrey. She looks at him and he could see that it took a moment for her to register his words. She seemed dazed from the events that brought her here. Anyone would be.

The taxi dropped Audrey off at the front of the apartment building. She walked in but instead of going to her apartment, she stopped at the map near the front desk. It showed in detail the parking lot and the apartment numbers. She shuddered as she realized how easy it had been for the enforcer to get into the complex even with the doors that need to be buzzed for entry. It had been so easy for him to move through the maze of apartments to find theirs. It had been so easy for him to find the exit through the stairwell and parking lot. "He knew where he was going." Audrey whispered to herself.

Lenny, the old night guard interrupted her train of thought. "I beg your pardon, Miss Lee. Did you say something?" Audrey looked at the smiling old man. "No, Mr. Davis. I was thinking out loud." He scowled at her. "How many times should I tell you to call me Lenny, Mr. Davis is my father." The elderly guard warmed her heart. He was always friendly and made the apartments feel safe. "Well, it's great to see you Lenny." Audrey said with a smile. He smiled back at her and bid her a good night.

Audrey unlocked her apartment and stepped in. The realization slowly crept into her consciousness. Lenny had been away on his annual leave and the security company of the complex sent someone as his replacement. Lenny was frustrated and upset because the guard was late and he had to leave before handing everything over to the temporary relief guard. In the end he handed the keys and duty list over to the overseer of the apartment complex. Something about this kept nagging at the back of Audrey's mind.

The relief guard. He seemed strange to Audrey. He would give a quick greeting when tenants passed him bit his hat always covered the majority of his face. He would never look at you directly but would look at you with one eye, slightly peeking out from his hat. His clothes seemed a size too big and his medium length hair always seemed oily and clumped together in thick, oily streaks. He seemed so out of place at the company that Lenny worked for as if he wasn't supposed to be there. The guards always looked neat, buzz cuts or neat braids. Beards were always groomed, nails always manicured. The guards always looked professional and that includes all the previous guards that were temporary while Lenny was on any leave of absence.

Audrey's mind spat out an image of the temporary guard. She could remember him vividly. His blue eyes looked grey, well the one that he would peak out with when she spoke to him. "I need to ask Lenny about him." She said to herself. Talking out loud to herself or in whispers was suddenly Audrey's way of coping with her mind that was in constant turmoil. She locked the apartment and went back to the reception. In the distance she could hear Lenny's whistling as he walked through the inside garden of the complex, doing his rounds.