"Maybe I should try my all‑purpose bankcard." He slipped a Chase plastic through, but once more nothing happened.
"This isn't working, Stone." She sighed, feeling her legs weaken as she clasped the wall. "I think we're going to have to chance the elevator."
"Don't give up yet." He took out his American Express, kissed it and swiped it through. "One last shot."
The red diode blinked off.
"Never leave home without it," she whispered.
"We will now proceed very, very quietly." He carefully pushed open the door, inches at a time.
The stair had metal steps and was lit by a single fluorescent bulb. As he helped her up, Ally was wondering if there was any way to extract her mother too. She couldn't imagine how she could do it and besides, Nina might well refuse to go.
No, just get out and make Stone understand that no way was Winston Bartlett going to let him go free to tell the story of Kristen. He clearly wasn't thinking with all cylinders.
Stone Aimes was about to disappear, just like Kristen had.
The entry to the laboratory level was also alarmed, but American Express once again saved the day. When they pushed open the door, however, the lights were on in the office at the far end of the hallway.