AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A building.
I’m in front of a five-story residential apartment building that’s only a few blocks from Central Park and close to Columbus Circle. I can’t imagine what he bought that’s waiting for me inside. Next door is a brownstone or an industrial building or… what is it? Both addresses are written in a small tag attached to the keychain. Does someone have a box or boxes that will open with the keys he left me?
The main door of the corner building opens. A little girl and a woman walk outside, smile at me, and keep walking.
“Yo, are you going to be there long?” A male voice snaps me from my trance.
When I turn, I see Jude, Gabe, and Seth staring at me.
“Why are you here?” I glance at them suspiciously.
Jude grins. “Eventhe missingneed help making things happen.”
I pop my eyebrow, crossing my arms. “The missing?”
Gabe slumps his shoulders and groans. “That’s what he likes to call Archer.”
“Okay, Archer is now referred to as the missing or he who will not be mentioned. That doesn’t explain much.” I eye them suspiciously. “So, I assume my present is in one of these buildings. Which one is it?”
“Both buildings,” Seth responds.
“What?” I almost choke. “Was he insane?”
Seth scoffs and nods.
“You just noticed how extra he was?” Jude rolls his eyes.
“The apartment building wasn’t part of the plan,” Seth explains. “But when he learned they were selling it and hoping someone would buy it to build modern—not rent-controlled—units, he jumped at the chance of owning it so the people who live there don’t have to end up in a shelter because they can’t afford their rent.”
That’s something Archer would do. Figure out a way to ensure people aren’t displaced from their homes.
I point toward the other one. “What’s that?”
“The original present,” Gabe answers, handing me a blindfold. “A twelve-bedroom brownstone.”
“I have a penthouse nearby and a house in Seattle,” I remind him.
“This might look like a house, but it’s not one,” Jude corrects.
“So, what is it?”
“This unit has everything an artist would need.” Jude winks at me. “A small recording studio, two soundproof rooms, and so many amenities you might want to add a bed to the main room in case you decide to stay for a day or a week.”
“Let’s look at the interior,” Gabe suggests.
“Or we can just go to Serendipity for a frozen hot chocolate and call it a day?”
“Nope.” Jude shakes his head.
“Shall we tour it?” Seth says insistently.“We might even have a surprise for you.”
“Please tell me there won’t be clowns involved.”
Seth shrugs. “There’s a couple of them inside, but I’ll make sure they don’t get close to you.”
I frown.
“Trust us, it’ll be okay.” Gabe’s reassuring voice is almost convincing.
