Chapter SevenBy the activity of the parking valets outside the apartment building it was evident that Melissa's party had ratcheted up several gears. I entered by the service entrance to avoid the queue at the doors. The goods elevator opened on all floors except hers, where permission to ascend to that extra level could only be granted via a phone link with someone inside the apartment releasing the security lock. Stair access was strictly one way only; away from her penthouse! I hoped there would be someone near where it opened who would hear the phone. On the fourth ring the phone was answered.
“Hallo!”
“Is that you, Otto?”
“Ja, dit is Otto.”
“Great! Can you press whatever it is you have to and let this lift come up, please. It's Terry Jeffries here.”
In broken English he replied t
