AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Is there a reason why you’re no longer interested in helping me with my case?
Last year, you said this would be an easy side project for you…
Mr. Carter?
“Idon’t understand why we need to go to the client’s house instead of them coming to us.” My newest partner, Veronica, whined. “Isn’t that the entire reason you all spend so much money making the firm look nice?”
“For the umpteenth time,” I said, “I do things a bit differently.”
“Well, I like the way Mr. Early and Mrs. Thompson do things,” she said.
“After today, I’ll make sure you return to that.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” I handed her a pair of gloves. “Put these on before we go inside.”
“Good call,” she said. “I’ve heard diseases run rampant in places like this. You never know what’s crawling up the walls.”
I stared at her, wondering if I should just drop her off at the firm and come back alone, but I was running low on time.
Getting out of the car, I motioned for her to follow me inside and up to the second floor.
I stopped in front of apartment 2C and knocked.
No answer.
I knocked again.
Nothing.
“Okay, he’s not home so we can leave now.” Veronica took out a business card. “What do you want me to write on the back of this before I slide it under the door?”
“Nothing.” I pulled out my lock kit. “We don’t need that.”
She gasped. “You’re breaking and entering?”
“No, I’maccidentallyunlocking the door at a place I need to see for myself,” I said. “Think like a lawyer.”
“I think you meancriminal.”
“Sometimes they’re the same thing.”
Her jaw dropped as I pushed the door open, and I practically had to pull her inside before shutting the door.
Despite it being immaculate, it smelled of mold and mildew, and the tell-tale sign of black mold was forming in all the corners.
“Go look in the bathroom and take pictures of the pipes, Veronica,” I said. “If you see any mail, bring it out here to me.”
“I don’t want to go to jail.”
Jesus Christ. I walked past her and took the photos myself. When I returned to the living room, I flipped through the envelopes on the coffee table.
“What the hell are you doing in my apartment?” A gruff man suddenly stepped inside, glaring at us.
I ignored him, continuing to look through his mail.
“You two don’t look like cops, and I know damn sure you don’t have a warrant.” He picked up a gun.
