Part 3 - Looking around
This time we went too far. Or did we? Had it not been for Gia's overwhelming concern I would have said so. Sneaking uninvited into someone's home is something I would most certainly consider intrusive, and had I caught Jane there in anything but her day clothes I would have been mortified. But her apartment was empty. There could have been an innocent explanation but... I'm getting ahead of myself.
When we arrived at the building Gia went ahead. She climbed up to the open window with her usual feline grace and slipped through. Once inside, she linked her mind with mine, allowing me to share her view of the apartment, one room at a time.
It wasn't a large place. A small galley kitchen with efficient storage, a compact bathroom, a lemon-themed bedroom with little floor space once the wardrobe, dressing table and single bed were taken into consideration, and a living room that comprised a sofa, one wooden chair, fold-up table, bookshelf, standard lamp and television.
When we found the TV broadcasting a quiz show to an empty room, then discovered an open door to the corridor and still no sign of anybody, I felt more justified in our actions.
I tried the outer door to the apartment building. It was locked. I was trying to decide whether breaking in was an option when I heard the latch move. I stepped back as the door swung inwards to reveal a smiling man, broad-chested and distinctly greasy, the creases in his face dirt-filled, and yes - the facets were tinged with an unhealthy shade of green.
He moved forward and I caught the odour of freshly turned loam. His smile grew wider and I saw a gap where his front teeth should be. He spoke.
"Good eventide, my dear fellow. May I be of assistance, perchance?"
My mind scrambled for a suitable reply. In the delay, I caught sight of two other figures behind him and despite the gloom I was certain they were carrying something. Or someone.
(To be continued)
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