It was the middle of the night when the Piper struck. In this case, the mission was harmless enough. Hartley just broke into the penthouse, right into the master bedroom. Axel and Mark were both asleep and looked wholesome and very much in love, which perhaps made it easier for Hartley to interrupt that.

It didn't even occur to him to just wake Axel up. Instead he started playing, made sure Mark would stay asleep and led Axel out onto the balcony. Terrace. Whatever to call this gigantic place. He only stopped playing after Axel had slid the door shut and there he was, full on Piper, masked and hooded, flute in his hand and looking at him.

"I have a message."