Page 86 of Long Gone

“We’re still considering our options,” I said. “We hear your office space is prime. But,” I glanced up at Malcolm, “I suppose we could jump on that office space in Colter’s building outside of Wolford. It is a lot more modern and up to date.”

“Now hold up there,” Floyd said, lifting a hand. “I have two spaces available, both on the second floor. I was just trying to figure out which would work best for you.”

I didn’t believe that for a minute, but I was relieved my plan had worked. “Why don’t you show us both?”

“Yeah,” he said, his head bobbing. “Let me get the keys.”

“How about we wait upstairs?” I suggested. “Check out the general layout.”

Disappointment covered the clerk’s face, but she pointed to a door close to the entrance. “The staircase is over there.”

“Thank you,” I said as I headed to the door, leaving Malcolm to follow. I opened the door, and a quick glance back told me the women in the front were still openly gawking.

The staircase was dark and narrow, the bulb overhead barely giving the space enough light to illuminate the stairs.

“This seems like some kind of violation,” I muttered as I reached the second floor and opened the door.

“This whole place is a violation.”

I walked into a short, windowless hall. There were four white paneled doors with black numbers nailed to the wood. One had a wreath hanging on the door with a fake plant next to it, and a sign on the door read, “All Stars Realty.” A door across the hall had a plaque that said, “Jim Palmer, Financial Planner.”

Malcolm grunted. “Can’t be much of a financial planner if he’s stuffed into a tiny office.”

“Maybe he’s frugal,” I said, starting to feel claustrophobic in the tight space.

“How’d you know the Colter building comment would work?” Malcolm asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“Because men like him hate progress. The thought of us preferring Colter’s shiny glass building was stronger than his fear that you might open an illegal enterprise in his precious building.”

He made a face. “Good call.”

“Why’d you make our reason for being here sound suspicious? We almost didn’t get up here.”

“Because I want him to know I’m a potential threat.”

“You’re not going to threaten that old man,” I whisper-hissed as I heard clumsy footsteps on the stairs.

He gave me a smirk and stepped to the side, making way for Floyd.

“That light bulb in that staircase is a hazard,” Malcolm said when the older man emerged on the landing.

“The light bulb’s fine,” Floyd grumped as he shook a ring full of multiple keys. “It ain’t gonna start a fire.”

“Maybe not, but the dim light makes it difficult for people to see.” He lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Unless you don’t mind getting sued when someone falls down the stairs.”

Floyd shot him a sneer, and I elbowed Malcolm in the side as the older man tried to insert a key into the door on the right. It took him three attempts with his shaky fingers before he finally got it unlocked, then pushed the door open with a flourish. “This is the larger of the two offices.”

Malcolm walked in first, leaving me to follow—asshole—and I had to admit, if I’d been looking for an office, I would have loved this space. The floor was original wood with a few stains to prove its authenticity. Although the space had likely been divided into evenly sized rooms years after the building was constructed, the baseboards and crown molding looked original or near enough. Large, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the street, light streaming in. The white walls appeared to be freshly painted.

My heart skipped a beat as I let myself consider renting this space. My P.I. firm would need an office. Why couldn’t it be this one?

“This office is five hundred square feet,” Floyd said from the doorway. “Including the large closet and bathroom. The other office is four hundred square feet and doesn’t have a bathroom.”

“Where do the tenants go to the bathroom?” I asked as I wandered to the windows and stared down at the street. Nate’s bookstore was across the street and to the left.

“Downstairs, but the rent is significantly cheaper.”

“How much for this one?” Malcolm asked.

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