Murder in the Condo Next Door

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Three days went by after the discovery of Ms. Lee’s body. Whatever the manager had done to her condo seemed to have worked because the smell of decomposing body had faded from the hallway.

Michael followed the story of her murder on TV and in The Chronicle, noting Reid Hanson’s byline on the newspaper articles about it.

When he told Carolyn what had happened, she was all agog, wanting to know every detail. Since he knew next to nothing, personally, she was reduced to reading the same stories he had in the paper.

Business was late-summer slow, but there were still enough customers that Michael didn’t lack for something to do, between helping them and planning for the upcoming Halloween season.

Friday rolled around, with one more day of work after that before he and Carolyn were off, as the shop was closed on Sundays and Mondays. It was busier than Michael expected. One of the city’s elite was holding a costume party to celebrate his wife’s fortieth birthday. Of course, many of the guests had waited until the last minute before coming in to find the right dress or suit for what was billed as a Forties Bash.

With Carolyn’s able assistance, Michael was able to make everyone happy. But by the end of the day, they were both ready to get out of there.

“Be ready for more of this, tomorrow,” Michael said as Carolyn slung her purse over her shoulder.

Carolyn laughed. “I’ll wear my running shoes.”

He chuckled. “Not a bad idea. See you in the morning.”

After she took off, he did the books, checked to be certain everything was back where it belonged, and then unlocked the front door. As he stepped out onto the top step, he heard someone call his name.

By all that’s holy, if it’s someone hoping we’re still open…He quickly set the alarm and locked the door before checking to see who wanted him.

“Ha. Got here just in time,” Reid Hanson said, getting out of his car.

“Just in time for me to go home,” Michael retorted sourly. “Why are you here?”

“Because I’m a nosy parker, and I figured you wouldn’t buzz me into your apartment building?”

“You got that right. I’m headed there now, and there’s no way I want to talk to you. I don’t know anything more today than I did the day her body was found. Go bug Detective what’s his name.”

“Daniels. And I’ve talked to him ad nauseam. He’s got nothing new, which you’d know if you’ve been reading my stories.”

“I have been,” Michael admitted reluctantly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He started down the sidewalk to the lot where he parked his car.

Reid kept up with him, saying, “He might start looking at you as the killer, if he’s done his homework.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Michael said angrily, even as his stomach clenched.

Instead of replying to the question, Reid said, “Why don’t we find somewhere less public to talk?”

“I’ll pass. Why don’t you take what you think you know and vamoose out of my life?”

“Four years in prison,” Reid replied quietly.

Michael swallowed hard. If the detective finds out about that, and why…”There’s a coffee shop in the next block,” he said, not looking at Reid as he started to walk in that direction.

Reid stayed beside him, even holding the door for Michael when they got there. They ordered coffee and found a table far enough away from the few other customers that no one could overhear them.