It was Abel who reached the door first. "Jason!" he called out in a controlled voice, trying to hide the urgency as he saw another tenant heading to the house at the far end of the hallway.
He and Jake exchanged glances, playing it cool until the lady disappeared into her apartment.
Once she was gone, Abel hit the door again, his knocks more urgent. "Jason, are you there?"
Nothing.
Jake shoved him aside and started pounding on the door with both hands. "Carl! Carl, can you hear me? Open up, man!"
Still no answer.
Abel felt sweat start to trickle from his armpits, his t-shirt sticking uncomfortably to his skin.
"Step aside," he muttered in a dead, calm tone, scanning the corridor for anyone who might notice them.
Jake barely had time to move before Abel launched himself at the door, throwing his full weight against it.
The door rattled, but the lock held firm.
