The lobby exploded in red light. Guests appeared at balconies above, staff rushed from side halls, the elevators froze, and a recorded voice began ordering evacuation.

Marie looked at me. “There’s no scheduled test.”

Elias moved. Not toward the street — toward the stairwell.

“Stop him!” Victor shouted. The younger officer lunged, but Elias had already shoved through a pair of guests and vanished behind the stairwell door.

I ran.

I heard Victor curse behind me, heard radios crackle, heard the alarm hammer through the concrete as I pushed through the door and looked up. Footsteps above.