Page 40 of Levee

I was one foot out of the building when I saw someone who gave me an idea.

The super.

He was always around. Always busy. In a building this crowded and this dated, there was always an air conditioner on the fritz, a thermostat not working, plumbing issues, you name it.

“Mr. Booth!” I called, throwing my hand up as I spotted him bending down to pick up what looked like a pile of empty dime bags, curling them in his fist, then dropping them into the bin just a few feet away.

I saw him suck in a deep breath as he looked for who was calling him, then nodding at me before lumbering over.

Mr. Booth was a massive man. Tall, wide, with legs like tree trunks, and arms almost as big. He looked like he juggled refrigerators for fun.

He had pale skin made ruddy from the sun, or any personal exertion, with thinning blond hair, and small blue eyes.

“6D,” he said, nodding at me. Then his gaze slid to my hair, nodding. “Need me to snake the shower drain?”

“What? Oh, no. No, the drain is fine, thanks.”

“You sure? Hair like that…”

“I’m sure. No, actually, I was just wondering if you are allowed to go into other units?” I asked.

“What for?”

“Well, I’m kind of worried about my upstairs neighbor,” I admitted.

“7D? Why?”

“Well, I heard a loud thump the other night. But not a peep since. I’m worried he might be, you know, really hurt or something. I didn’t know if you could check in on him, or if I should have the police do a wellness check?”

“I, ah, I can take a look, I guess,” he said, gaze moving past me. “Just to put your mind at ease.”

“I would really appreciate it. I’m worried about him.”

If he went in and saw the blood, maybe he could call the police. Which would kind of… take me out of the equation, right? So the bad guys wouldn’t have a reason to suspect me.

I hoped.

“Sure. No problem. Let me know when the drain backs up,” he said before lumbering off.

Feeling satisfied, I made my way to the market, the long walk in the sunshine enough to chase away the lingering anxiety I was still feeling.

I was feeling like a different person as I made my way down the hall toward my apartment.

I was even excited to see what new art might be drawn on my whiteboard.

But the smile fell from my lips as I moved closer to see it wasn’t art at all.

It was a message.

And not one of Levee’s riddles. Or even one of the lewd ones I came across now and again.

No.

This one was a threat.

Mind your own business, bitch.

A strange whimpering sound escaped me as I reached for the pen with a shaking hand, using the eraser cap to remove the words.

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