I’d seen my sister slide the key to Aria’s room into a zippered compartment of her purse. Hopefully she hadn’t moved it. If not, I’d use a paper clip. Denton had given me a handful this morning. Years had passed since I’d picked a lock, but I’m sure it was like riding a bike.

I had spent the evening on the balcony chatting with Marissa, Eli, and the guards. I made fun of the FBI agents who’d interviewed me, even Denton and Mike. At ten thirty Marissa asked Eli to bring their drinks from inside the condo.

“I’ll go with you,” I said. “A Diet Coke sounds good.” In the hollow heel of my sandal, I’d hidden sleeping pills that Mike had given me. Denton hadn’t been pleased. Now to distract Eli for a few seconds.

In the kitchen, Eli grabbed the liquor from the counter, and I pulled glasses from the cabinet. I’d examined various places where Marissa could have installed a camera, and I stood with my back against the one I’d noted. While Eli poured shots of liquor, I pressed the ice dispenser button, allowing several cubes to drop to the floor. “Rats. Would you help me?”

“I’ve got them.” Eli bent to pick up the ice, allowing me enough time to retrieve and drop the pills into the liquor glasses.

We carried the drinks to the balcony. Marissa stood and took hers. “I’m going to bed.”

“Me too,” I said. “Tonight’s sleep has to be better than last night’s.”

“We have plans for tomorrow.” Marissa stifled a yawn. “Many details to work out.”

“Looking forward to it.” I toasted my Diet Coke to the men before I headed inside the condo.

At twelve thirty I crept from my room. Lee and Jess had disappeared, and Eli must have gone to his own condo. A mix of adrenaline and downright fear kept me on alert. In the shadows, I moved to the far side of the penthouse to Marissa’s suite. She took her privacy seriously, and I’d not been inside her bedroom. I needed clarity to find her purse and get Aria and me out of the penthouse undetected.

I slowly turned the knob on Marissa’s bedroom door. Locked. I pulled a paper clip from my jean pocket and bent it, allowing me to insert into the keyhole. My stomach churned as I probed and twisted. A faint click released the lock. Holding my breath, I grasped the knob, and the door opened to a shadowed room. From what I could tell through shadowed lights from the street below, Marissa’s suite looked out onto a private balcony area. I searched for her purse.

Moving about chanced knocking something over and startling my drugged sister. But I had no choice. Time ticked away.

Inside the bathroom, her purse sat on the marble countertop. I stared into the mirror—my profile frightened me. I felt inside her shoulder bag and wrapped my fingers around two phones and the key to Aria’s room. One had to belong to John Rudder. Gripping the handles like a lifeline, I crept from the room.