She doesn’t look convinced. “But wouldn’t you like to know if it’s one guy or several? Do you know how many women are taken from their homes without anyway to defend themselves?”
I groan. “I’m scared to know how you learn these kinds of stats.”
“The internet can share a lot,” she says, slipping on one of her shoes.
“Yeah, and we might have to put some filters on what you’re searching for.”
She’s got her other shoe on, and it’s then I realize she’s actually planning on going upstairs despite the statistic she quoted to me.
“Okay, but let me grab my shoes too.”
She’s out the door before I can catch up.
As I stumble up the stairs, I’m surprised by how many cobwebs are up here. I rarely go beyond our floor, but clearly this space still needs a serious cleaning before any renovations happen.
“Hi,” I hear Lila say.
“Hi,” a deep voice replies. “What are you doing this morning?”
“I’m wondering what you’re doing,” Lila says.
I step into the room and find her standing in front of Max.I’m not sure why I didn’t peg him as someone involved in construction, but I’ve been wrong before.
He looks up at me and smiles. “That’s a great question. I’m checking on the progress of these flats.”
It’s interesting that he calls them flats instead of apartments.
“I thought you were coming to me with a paper proving you should be up here?” I frown deeply, wanting him to know I don’t appreciate that lack of honesty.
He walks over, jingling with a large key ring attached to his belt loop, pulling a piece of paper out of his pants pocket. “I have it right here.”
I take the paper he’s holding out to me and unfold it. It’s an email from a logo I don’t recognize. Bauer something.
“Max,
We’ve heard things have stalled at our properties in Penrose Beach. Please check on those and hire the people needed to complete the project. We’ll locate information regarding access and anything else shortly.”
I fold the paper and hand it back to him.
With a raised eyebrow, he says, “Is that enough?”
“Are you an inspector?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.
He shrugs. “Of sorts. I’m trying to figure out how much work is left.” He lifts his hand to wave at the space around us.
“Pretty much all of it,” Lila says bluntly.
We both laugh, and his laugh is…nice. Not that it has to mean anything.
Sarah needs to get out of my head.
“You’re not wrong,” he says. “Which is why we need to get someone in here to work on it.” He glances between us. “How did you know I was up here?”
I hesitate. I’m not sure how much I want to share, but Lila has no such concern.
“We live in the apartment downstairs. I’m pretty sure thepeople who built our apartment didn’t know what insulation was.”
“Do you know when it was finished?” he asks.
