Chapter 116

Alexander

I glanced around the hallway, half expecting to see someone peering at us through a cracked door. The place reeked of cheap air freshener and something I couldn’t quite identify—possibly last week’s takeout.

“Let me ask someone,” Leo said, already moving toward the neighboring apartment. “These walls look thin enough that someone must’ve heard something.”

“Be my guest.” I leaned against the wall, immediately regretting it when I felt something sticky against my shoulder. “Jesus Christ.”

Leo knocked on 3C’s door with more enthusiasm than the situation warranted. After a moment, the door creaked open to reveal a middle-aged woman in a bathrobe, a cigarette dangling from her lips.

“Yeah?” She eyed us suspiciously, not bothering to remove the cigarette.

Leo flashed his most charming smile. “Sorry to bother you, ma’am. We’re looking for Tyler Phillips? He lives next door.”

She snorted, ash falling to the floor. “Good luck with th