The Riverdale Inn was quiet at eight in the morning. Valentina stood in the lobby, phone pressed to her ear, pretending to be on a call while Axel checked that Connor's Mercedes was gone from the parking lot.
His text came through: *Clear. Move now.*
Valentina pocketed her phone and headed for the stairs. Room 312 was on the third floor, at the end of a carpeted hallway that smelled of stale coffee and cleaning products.
She pulled out the key card her mysterious friend had somehow left in her mailbox that morning. No note, just the card in a plain envelope.
The lock clicked green. Valentina slipped inside, heart hammering.
Connor's room was immaculate. Bed made with military precision, clothes hung neatly in the closet, toiletries arranged by size on the bathroom counter. Nothing out
