Two of the doors had matching labels with a pictogram of what looked like stairs. The third door was an elevator. If I were sneaking in a team, I would use the stairs. Service stairways often had access hidden from public view, especially in fancy buildings where the clients didn’t want to see maintenance personnel. A pair of loose, slightly dirty maintenance coveralls was the easiest way to make yourself invisible to the types of people who inhabited these buildings.

But in the video from Torran’s house, the kidnappers had been wearing armor. Building security would not have allowed a team of armored soldiers past the front door, even if the video surveillance was down or altered. And while it was possible that security was in on it, the more likely answer was the soldiers had been disguised. None of the reports mentioned clothes in the transport, so I started looking for a place where they could have stashed their extra gear. It might give us the clue we needed to trace them before they arrived at the building.

My frown grew as I searched. Why pick a building in the middle of the city in the first place? It made sense only if they didn’t want to burn their home base, either because they still needed it or because of what—or who—it would reveal. Stealing and hiding a transport early added a lot of additional risk if they were planning to abandon the city anyway.

My gut said they were still in Zenzi. If not in the city proper, then at least nearby.

Whoever had picked this building had done their research well. They knew that it wasn’t likely to be investigated, and even if it was, the occupants would not be overly helpful. And because of the residences, a transport staying for a while wouldn’t be unusual.

I slowly walked the perimeter of the room, looking for hidden entrances or areas big enough to hide a change of clothes, but despite my careful perusal, I almost missed the square vent cover. It was about a meter wide and as black as the wall around it. Tucked in a corner behind one of the massive legs of the transport storage tower, it was nearly invisible.

My pulse leapt, even as I tried not to get my hopes up.

I wedged myself into the narrow space and examined the vent cover. I couldn’t find any attachment points, so I pulled on one corner, but my gloves made it hard to get a grip. I adjusted my hands, but my fingers slipped again, and I cursed under my breath.

“Tavi?” Torran’s voice whispered across my mind.

“I’m in the corner opposite the stairs,” I said while focusing my thoughts toward him. “I need your help, if you’re back on the ground.”