Chapter 38 - the empty office
I reached the university gates at 1:42 AM.
I didn't stop for the security arm; I drove the truck straight over the curb, crushing the decorative shrubbery, and slammed on the brakes in front of Brewster Hall.
The campus was dead silent. A light rain had begun to fall, slicking the red brick walkways and reflecting the dim amber streetlamps.
I ran to the main entrance. The heavy glass doors were locked. I pulled out my wallet, jammed a credit card into the latch gap, and threw my entire body weight against the handle. The lock popped with a metallic crack.
The lobby was dark. The safety desk was abandoned, a half-eaten sandwich sitting beside a flickering computer monitor displaying an idle screensaver.
"Lily!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the concrete stairwell. "Lily!"
No answer.
I sprinted down the administrative corridor toward the sign that read: *Office of Residential Life — Suite 104.*
The door was unlocked. It swung open to an empty reception area. A single desk lamp was lit in the inner office.
On the desk was a leather-bound folder. Inside was a legal document titled: *Renunciation of Estate and Irrevocable Transfer of Trust Assets.*
The signature line for the beneficiary was blank. Beside it lay a freshly uncapped pen.
And next to the pen was Lily's silver cell phone, face down on the blotter.
I picked it up. The screen lit up with seven missed calls from me and three texts from Claire.
May you like
Then I noticed the small brass key resting beside the phone. Attached to it was an engraved plastic tag with three words etched into the surface:
*Sub-Basement Boiler 2.*
