The room was empty.
Noah stepped inside, his eyes sweeping the cramped space.
The bed was unmade and the table bare. There was not a single trace of Marlon anywhere.
He'd gotten a physical description of the man and was sure he'd be able to spot him, but there was not even a sign that anyone had used this room in the last 24 hours.
Noah moved around slowly, checking corners, peering under the cot, and even running a hand along the walls as if something might reveal itself.
But there was nothing. Not so much as a water jug or a discarded rag.
He looked around one last time, but nothing changed.
Turning on his heel, he slipped back into the hall.
The guards straightened as he approached, their eyes wary after his earlier display.
"Where's Marlon?" Noah asked, voice flat.
The bigger of the two blinked. "Not here."
"I can see that," Noah said coldly. "When did he leave?"
The guards exchanged glances, shaking their heads. "We haven't seen him at all today."
