My steps hesitated, but I couldn't turn back. I didn't want to shout for Archer, either, because he shouldn't be getting out of bed yet. I had my thoughts, as loud as they were, and they were telling me to act natural, to pretend everything was okay, to let the predator feel like this would be an easy victory.
The air closed in slightly from ahead, signaling I was drawing closer to the bath door at the end of the hall.
I knocked. "Anyone in here?"
I tried to make my voice sound as cool and calm as possible. A grunt sounded from within followed by a loud splash of water. I tried the door, but the rattle of a chain on the other side prevented me from opening it very far.
"Hello?" I didn't want to confirm Grady's name in case the stranger in the hallway already suspected it. I didn't wan
