Page 26 of Since She's Been Gone

“Ohhh!” Hoops looks relieved, like she thought he was cheating on her.

“Did they know her?” I ask him.

“No, they bought the place from her family after she died.”

I nod. “I know this may sound strange, but do you know how she died?”

“Heard it was an overdose. My parents said that’s why they got a deal on the place.”

“Someonediedin this house?” Hoops asks, horrified.

“Who cares?” he responds defensively. “It was decades ago.”

“That’s still really creepy,” she says, adjusting her earrings.

The dog starts squirming in his arms.

“We’re going to the beach. Anything else?” he asks, annoyed.

“No, thanks for your time,” I say.

He closes the door.

“Let’s try that house next door,” Eddie suggests.

We walk over and ring the doorbell.

A man with curly black hair opens the door. There are construction workers behind him rehabbing the place.

“You’re late,” he says.

I blink. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”

“Are you here for the appraisal?” he asks.

“No,” I say.

“Dammit.” He shakes his head, frustrated.

“Are you the owner?” I ask him.

“They’re in China and selling. I’m their realtor. Wanna take a peek?”

“I’m not looking to buy a home. I’m trying to get information about a woman that lived next door—Margot Cadell.”

“No idea who that is. This place has had a revolving door of tenants for the last two years. That’s why my clients are selling.”

“Ven aquí!” someone shouts from inside the house.

“I gotta go,” he says and closes the door.

I look at Eddie, officially discouraged.

“Let’s try the house on the other side,” he says.

We walk over to a dated-looking house with a yellow intercom box from the eighties. I try buzzing, but nobody answers.

“Maybe it’s broken,” Eddie says. He tries knocking loudly. Still, nothing.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com