Page 106 of One Sweet Lie

“The number you’ve reached is no longer in service!” A robotic voice yelled. “ Please check the number you dialed and try again.”

Maybe she blocked me, too.

I pulled on sweatpants and a T-shirt and searched for Miss Rivers.

“Good evening, Mr. Dawson.” She waved from the parlor. “Something wrong?”

“A lot of things are wrong.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She frowned. “Would you like me to sing a song to make it better?”

“Do you honestly think singing solves real-world problems?”

“I believe the world would have far less problems, if we all sang together more often.”

You’re lucky you’re good at your job.

“I need to leave and check on someone—I mean, something,” I said. “Can you stay here for an extra two hours?”

“Absolutely, sir.” She patted my shoulder. “But before you go, can I say something?”

“As long as it’s notin song.”

“Please just rememberrr,” she sang anyway. “If you ever have problemmms … A little music can solve ‘emmm!”

Jesus Christ.

I grabbed my coat and headed for the elevator.

I madeit to Harlow’s place in twenty minutes flat.

Throwing on my hazard lights, I jumped out and approached the door.

A yellow note clung to the bricks.

New Tenant Showings All Weekend!

Beautiful 1BR, Fully Furnished

Call 978-098-6756 for alternative times

I rang the doorbell, and the door swung open within seconds.

“Well, hello there.” An older woman smiled. “May I help you with something, sir?”

“I’m looking for Harlow Hawthorne,” I said. “Is she here?”

“I don’t know anyone by that name. Are you sure you’re at the right place?”

“She lived here a few weeks ago.” I didn’t mention that I saw her when I drove by. “Surely you saw her before you came in.”

“I’m here to clean up.” She threw up gloved hands. “That’s all I was hired to do.”

“Can I come in and check for myself?”

“Would you let a stranger randomly walk inside and check your apartment?”

That’s fair. I pulled a business card from my pocket.

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