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Inside the Albany Arms
 xcept
for emergency lights, the condo building is dark. In the lobby, some
people with flashlights are trying to free someone trapped in an elevator.
You find the stairs and climb five stories to reach Unit 609.
The door is locked. You move toward a light flickering
next door.
IN UNIT 610
Two neighbors huddle around a table ablaze with candles.
They're eager to tell you what happened.
"Jessica knocked on my door," the woman, Stella, tells
you. "I opened up -- it was like a horror movie. 'Mask of Blood.'"
"I called the ambulance," the man, Eric, says. "I tried
to clean her up but Jessy just wouldn't stop bleeding. She got blood
all over me," he says, rubbing at smears on his arms.
"I need to get into her condominium," you say.
"I share a balcony with Jessica," Stella pipes up. "Maybe
you can get in that way. Are you afraid of heights?"
 Candles
in hand, the three of you inspect the balcony. A wall separates Stella's
side of the balcony from Jessica's side.
"Look," Eric says. "Simple. I'll go see if
her balcony door is open." And before you can say anything he steps
over the rail, swings around the wall and over onto Jessica's side of
the balcony. You hear pottery fall and shatter. Eric curses, then falls
silent.
"Eric," you shout. "Eric!" There is no response.
Follow Eric
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