Jack's jaw clenched as he watched his perfect entry point disappear. The maintenance worker and his propped door were gone, leaving him back at square one.
"You're right. I'm not from around here." He shifted his weight, scanning the building's facade while trying to maintain eye contact with Elisabeth. A security camera above the service entrance swept left to right in a steady rhythm. "Just visiting."
"Visiting?" Elisabeth's eyebrow arched. "The industrial district isn't exactly a tourist destination."
"Maybe I'm not the typical tourist." Jack spotted another door further down, this one with a fingerprint scanner. No good.
"Clearly not." Elisabeth adjusted the strap of her leather messenger bag. "Most visitors use the main entrance. Though they generally have appointments."
Jack's attention snapped back to her. There was something knowing in her tone, a hint that she'd caught onto his surveillance. But instead of alarm, her expression held curiosity.
"The main entrance isn't really my style." He tested the waters with a half-truth. "Too many people asking questions."
"Questions can be useful. They often lead to answers." She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Like why someone would be casing the service entrances of Altiar Industries."
Jack's muscles tensed. She was sharper than he'd given her credit for. "I'm not—"
"Please." She cut him off with a small laugh. "I've grown up watching people try to get into this building. Though most of them wear better suits and carry briefcases full of business proposals."
A delivery truck rumbled past, buying Jack precious seconds to think. This girl knew the building. Knew the people. Knew the systems. And she hadn't called security yet.
"What if I told you I had a legitimate reason to be here?" Jack met her gaze directly. "Just not one that would get me through the front door?"
Elisabeth studied him for a long moment. The wind caught her hair, sending golden strands dancing around her face. "I'd say that sounds far more interesting than my calculus test."
"You're supposed to be in school?"
"You're supposed to be anywhere but here?" She countered with a slight smile. "Let's make a deal. Tell me why you really need to get inside, and I'll tell you if I can help."
Jack weighed his options. His mother's face flashed in his mind, pale against the hospital pillows. This girl represented an unexpected path forward. But trust came with risks.
"It's about family," he said carefully. "Someone inside this building owes mine a debt. A big one."
"Ah." Elisabeth's expression shifted to understanding. "You'd be surprised how many debts live in that tower." She glanced at her watch, then back at Jack. "The loading dock guards change shift at 10:30. There's a fifteen-minute window when they're doing paperwork. And the camera blind spot is wider than they think."
Jack blinked, surprised by the freely offered intelligence. "Why would you help me?"
"Because you're the first honest person I've met in weeks." Elisabeth pulled out her phone, tapping quickly. "And because sometimes this place needs a shake-up." She held out a small white card. "My number. In case you need a guide who knows the territory."
Jack took the card, his fingers brushing hers. The cardstock was thick, expensive. Just like everything else in this world he was trying to infiltrate.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Elisabeth stepped back with a graceful motion, "I really do have that calculus test."
Jack's heart hammered as he spotted the approaching security team - four bulky figures in black uniforms moving with purpose. Their hands hovered near their belts, ready to draw weapons or radios.
"Miss Thornfield," one called out. "Everything alright here?"
Jack's muscles coiled. He couldn't let them stop him. Not when he was this close. Not with his mother's life hanging in the balance.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to Elisabeth. Before she could react, he pulled her against him, one arm wrapped firmly but carefully around her shoulders. He felt her sharp intake of breath.
"Stay back!" Jack's voice carried across the concrete, stopping the guards in their tracks. Their hands went for their weapons.
"Let her go," the lead guard ordered, his face hardening.
A door clicked behind them - someone exiting the building. Jack seized the moment. He yanked Elisabeth backward through the opening door, his foot connecting with the heavy metal to slam it fully open. They stumbled inside as shouts erupted behind them.
Jack spun them through the industrial hallway, releasing Elisabeth but grabbing her wrist to pull her along. The sound of pounding footsteps and crackling radios echoed off the walls.
"Lock down the building! We have a situation at the south entrance. Suspect has a hostage - "
Jack slammed the door shut and twisted the deadbolt. His hands shook as adrenaline coursed through his system. What had he done? This wasn't the plan. None of this was the plan.
He turned to Elisabeth, ready to apologize, to explain, to beg forgiveness - but the words died in his throat.
She was smiling.
Not a nervous smile or a scared one. A real smile that lit up her entire face. Her chest rose and fell rapidly with excitement rather than fear.
"That was..." She pressed a hand to her sternum, catching her breath. "That was incredible."
"You're not scared?" Jack stared at her in disbelief as alarms began blaring through the building.
"Scared?" Elisabeth laughed - actually laughed. "Do you know how many charity galas and board meetings I've sat through? How many perfectly planned days filled with perfectly planned activities?" Her eyes sparkled. "This is the most exciting thing that's happened to me in years."
The pounding on the door grew more intense. Metal groaned against metal.
"They're going to break through," Jack said, scanning the hallway for options.
"Then we should move." Elisabeth grabbed his hand this time, pulling him toward a service elevator. "They'll be shutting down the main elevators, but these run on a separate system for emergencies."
She pressed her thumb to a biometric scanner. The doors slid open with a soft chime.
"You're helping me?" Jack asked as they stepped inside. "After I just...you know."
"Used me as a hostage?" Elisabeth pressed a button for the 47th floor. "Please. That was the gentlest hostage-taking in history. Besides..." She turned to face him, her expression suddenly serious. "Whatever debt you're here to collect must be important. Important enough to risk everything."
Jack thought of his mother in that hospital bed. Of Dr. Patel's grave expression. Of the treatment that could save her life sitting just out of reach.
"It is," he said quietly.
Elisabeth nodded. "Then let's make sure this crazy stunt of yours wasn't for nothing." She pulled out her phone as the elevator climbed. "Security will be coordinating their response from the 30th floor. We'll bypass them completely and take the executive elevator from 47 to the top. My father's biometrics will get us in - he never remembers to update them when he gets a new phone."
Jack watched the floor numbers tick upward, still processing how this privileged girl he'd essentially assaulted was now orchestrating his infiltration.
"Why are you really helping me?"
Elisabeth's fingers paused over her phone screen. "Because you're willing to break rules for something you believe in. That's...rare here." She glanced at him. "Everyone's so concerned with maintaining the proper image, following the proper channels. Sometimes proper isn't right."
The elevator slowed to a stop. Elisabeth squared her shoulders.
"Ready to storm the castle?"
Jack nodded, his determination rebuilding. "Lead the way, princess."