The simplicity of the proposal unsettled me. He wasn’t reacting to chaos.
He was analyzing structure.
Saturday morning, pale light filtered through thin curtains. I half expected him to disappear overnight, but at seven sharp he stood ready, brace secured, my battered toolbox open.
“I’ll leave when you ask,” he said. “Until then, I’ll stay useful.”
We walked to the building office behind the humming laundry machines. Mr. Pritchard looked up, already irritated.
“Your rent is overdue.”
“I’m aware,” I said evenly.
He eyed Adrian. “And you are?”
“A temporary consultant,” Adrian replied smoothly. “I’d like to address several unresolved maintenance issues affecting tenant safety.”
Mr. Pritchard scoffed. “There are no major issues.”
