“More than who installed the lock, I’m curious why she installed it,” Windy said. “Is she trying to keep someone out? Or something in?”
“Or both?” Laurel added.
Windy pushed a strand of red hair behind an ear. “I didn’t want to say anything to anyone, but the other afternoon, I was alone in the house and when I went down to the bathroom, I overheard voices ... Kitty had a guest in her room ... a male guest. I didn’t want to mention this, but, uh, it smelled like weed.”
“Oh my.” Riva leaned back, staring up at the cloud-dappled sky. “That’s just great.”
“More reason to evict her,” Laurel proclaimed. “The contract states no smoking or burning of candles or incense. And what about the smoke alarm? Why didn’t it go off?”
“I don’t know.” Riva cringed to think of the fire hazards in an old house like this.
“Seriously, that’s like three strikes right there, Riva.” Laurel held up three fingers. “And no alcohol in the room makes four. Surely there must be a line about not making modifications without owner permission.”
“I remember that one,” Windy said. “That’s why I got permission to install my AC in the loft.”
Riva knew they were right about Kitty breaking the contract, but at the moment she was fixated on the new deadbolt lock and the sudden urge to inspect Kitty’s room for safety. “I wonder how she got that lock put on without anyone knowing.”
“Come to think of it, I remember hearing some power tool noises when I was upstairs in my loft. I think it was that same day. I thought it was at your neighbor’s house since I’d noticed his lawn guy there using a weed eater.” Windy bit her lip. “But now I’m sure it was her male visitor installing the lock. Sorry, I should’ve paid more attention.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. It’s not your responsibility to keep tabs on Kitty. I know I should do better at handling this, but tobe honest, it’s a bit overwhelming.” Riva’s voice cracked with emotion. “I really don’t know what to do about her.”
“Oh, Riva.” Laurel groaned. “I wish I’d never connected you to her in the first place. Maybe I should be the one to chuck her out.”
“Thanks. But no one is going to chuck her out.” Riva took a deep breath. “I have to do it myself. And I need to do it ethically and legally. I don’t want any negative recourse on her part.”
“She seems the type to do something nefarious.” Laurel grimly shook her head. “Maybe that was her plan all along. Become such an obnoxious tenant that you want to kick her out, but you find out she’s got a sleazy lawyer on speed dial. You wind up in court with some trumped-up charges and expensive court costs, and she winds up getting your house and you are out on your ear.”
“Oh, Laurel,” Windy scolded. “That’s awful.”
“Just ignore me.” Laurel’s laugh sounded nervous. “I always enjoyed a good conspiracy theory.”
“Well, you better stop terrorizing our landlady,” Windy warned. “Or she’ll want to kick us all out.”
The idea of having her home all to herself again did have some appeal. Except that Riva really did like her housemates. For the most part, anyway. “You guys don’t need to worry about this ... or me. I’ll get it figured out somehow. When the time is right and I can get her to talk to me. Hopefully sooner than later.”
“That’s fine, but I think you should get that lock off her door ASAP,” Laurel said. “It feels unsafe to me. Like she could be harboring a fugitive in there. Or hard drugs. I remember an old Lifetime movie about a beauty salon that was really a cover for drug trafficking. Maybe that’s what Kitty is doing, selling dope instead of doing hair.”
“Oh, Laurel, if that were true, Kitty would probably be loaded,” Windy said. “She’d be living in a mansion, not renting a cheap room.”
“I agree,” Riva said. “But the deadbolt is still concerning.”
“It’s like a flag, warning us that something is off,” Windy added.
“I’ll speak to Kitty.”
“It’s your door, Riva.” Laurel’s tone grew firmer. “You have the right to remove that lock if you want. You don’t need her permission.”
“I wouldn’t have a clue how to get it off.” Riva tried to look unconcerned as she sipped her now-cool coffee. “I mean, I do have tools, but aren’t those locks specially made to be difficult to remove?”
“I bet Marcus could get it off for us,” Laurel declared.
“Of course.” Windy held up her phone. “Want me to ask him?”
“No,” Riva said. “Not yet. I’d appreciate his help later, but I do want to talk to Kitty first. I’d like to ask her why she felt the need and why she didn’t get permission. And if she’s willing to let me have a key, I might overlook it.”
“I bet she won’t give you a key.” Laurel folded her arms in front of her.
“Then I’ll inform her that I’ll deal with it and Windy can ask Marcus to help.”
