Page 32 of Rising Heat

A beat passes.

“It’s nice,” I say more quietly. “Really nice.”

Something in my voice must carry through because she softens for half a second.

“Well.”

Another pause.

“That’s good.”

The words sound slightly reluctant, like she’s still waiting for the catch.

“Have you met anybody in the building?”

My mind immediately goes to Tyler, followed by the reminder that there’s apparently an older brother downstairs I still haven’t met. Given the evidence currently available to me, that feels like a situation best approached with caution.

“There are only two apartments.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

I smile.

“My landlords live downstairs.”

“Landlords?”

“Plural.”

A pause.

“Why plural?”

“Because there are two of them,” I say cautiously. “They’re brothers.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

“Darcy.”

“Mom.”

“Do you know these men?”

“I know I’m supposed to call them if something breaks.”

“Darcy.”

I laugh.

“They own the building. They’re seemingly normal.”

“As far as you know.”

“As far as anybody knows, technically.”

“That’s not reassuring.”