THE LAST CHECK IN

CHAPTER 3 - The Private Hallway

Sienna led Naina into a side hallway where the lobby noise faded into expensive silence.

The hallway was carpeted so thick it swallowed footsteps.

It felt like walking inside a lie.

Sienna stopped at a security door and swiped her badge.

A keypad blinked green.

“Just so you know,” Sienna said lightly, “our residents include high-profile individuals. We take discretion very seriously.”

Naina stared at her. “My sister isn’t a secret.”

Sienna’s smile stayed in place, but her eyes cooled. “We’ll do what we can.”

They entered a small office with glass walls. Two monitors sat on a desk showing camera feeds—hallways, elevator bays, the parking garage.

Sienna gestured toward a chair. “Sit.”

Naina didn’t sit.

Sienna sighed, then tapped on the keyboard.

“You said her last check‑in was 11:58,” Sienna said. “What unit does she live in?”

Naina’s throat tightened. “She doesn’t live here. She was visiting.”

Sienna paused. “Visiting who?”

Naina held her gaze. “That’s your job to know, not mine.”

Sienna’s fingers stopped moving. “Ms. Kapoor—”

Naina’s phone buzzed.

Unknown number again.

A picture this time.

Grainy.

A screenshot of Meera’s check‑in page.

And a message:

YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES TO LEAVE ATLAS.

Naina felt her blood go cold, but she didn’t let her face change.

Sienna noticed anyway.

“You’re getting messages,” Sienna said.

Naina lied smoothly. “Work.”

Sienna’s eyes narrowed, not convinced.

Then the office door opened behind them.

A man stepped in like he belonged—tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, face that looked like it had learned patience the hard way. He wore plain clothes, no security uniform, but he moved like someone who was used to being obeyed.

His eyes went straight to Naina.

Then to Sienna.

“Who is she?” he asked.

Sienna’s smile sharpened slightly. “A relative of a guest. She’s upset.”

The man’s gaze returned to Naina, assessing. “Name.”

“Naina Kapoor,” she said.

He didn’t blink. “Why are you here?”

“My sister is missing,” Naina replied. “And your building is lying about where she was.”

The man’s jaw tightened.

Sienna bristled. “That’s not—”

He lifted a hand, silencing her without looking.

Naina’s pulse ticked up.

The man looked at the monitors.

“Show me the check‑in,” he said.

Sienna hesitated.

His eyes sharpened. “Now.”

Sienna tapped the keyboard again, pulling up a log.

Naina leaned forward, scanning.

MEERA SEN — CHECK‑IN — 11:58 p.m.

KEYCARD USED — 12:08 a.m.

CHECK‑IN — NASHVILLE — 12:09 a.m.

Naina’s breath caught.

The man’s face went hard.

“That second check‑in isn’t ours,” he said.

Naina stared. “But it’s attached to her profile.”

He nodded once, grim. “Someone spoofed it.”

Sienna’s voice tightened. “That’s impossible.”

The man looked at her like she was naive. “Nothing is impossible when you pay for it.”

Naina swallowed. “Who are you?”

He hesitated—just a beat.

“Rafe Mercer,” he said. “Head of security.”

Naina’s stomach tightened. “Then help me.”

Rafe’s gaze held hers.

Then he said, quietly, “If she left you that voice note, she knew Atlas was compromised.”

Naina’s throat tightened. “So you’re compromised too.”

Rafe didn’t deny it fast enough.

And that was answer enough.