Jack and Cyrus watched the rickety, rusty car until it was out of sight. “I like that kid, Cyrus, I really do. He’s got his head on straight for sure. Let’s go see what Dennis has for us. When we get to the middle of this level, I want you to bark your head off so Dennis knows where we are, you got that?” Cyrus let out a soft woof to show he understood what he was to do. And he did it right on cue. The sound bounced off the cavernous walls, then bounced again. Jack thought his eardrums would rupture. Within seconds, Jack could hear Dennis shout, “I’m on three and coming down. Don’t move. Stay where I can see you.”

Jack winced when he heard tires squeal as Dennis put the pedal to the metal. When he slammed on his brakes and skidded to a stop, Cyrus let loose with a mind-blowing howl of outrage. The van’s doors slid open, and Cyrus hopped in, still indicating his displeasure with a low growl as Jack slid onto the passenger seat next to Dennis.

“I got pictures. The lighting on three is bad. Some of the lights were burned out or turned off, which I’m thinking Meadows did beforehand. The third floor is full, not a space to be found.”

“How did you find out where Ethel was parked?”

“Called the desk and asked. I told them I tapped her fender and wanted to leave a note with my insurance information. They were okay with that. She has a handicapped sticker, so she was assigned a spot closest to the elevator and service door. Which, by the way, is usually very well lit. Today, it was dark as Hades. My phone has a built-in something or other for extra lighting. Here’s the kicker, though, Jack. I don’t know if Meadows could see the flash. It didn’t look like he did, but you never know.

“The other thing is that he had that license plate off and back on within seconds, and he was out of there like a bat out of hell. He knew what he was doing, that’s for sure. We’re making good time here. This must be the time of day you can go out and actually arrive at your destination in a reasonable time. Let’s grab some breakfast in that café on the mezzanine level at Babylon. I’m starved. We can bring Cyrus, since you have all his service credentials,” Dennis babbled until he was out of breath.

“Sounds good to me. I’m sure Charles will make breakfast when we all show up at eight o’clock, but it will be nine before we eat, so yeah, let’s head to the café. I see a stack of buttermilk pancakes with my name on them. I don’t know why I’m so hungry,” Jack said.