“We’ll start with where. Meet me in the alley and bring a ladder.”
“You got it.”
Carlita returned to the alley, and Tony showed up minutes later carrying an extension ladder. “I brought the big one.”
“You might not need it. Over here.” She stood beneath the newly-installed camera and shifted her gaze. “Elvira upgraded her camera.”
“Again? I thought she put new cameras in a few months ago.”
“She did. Something about a sample product she’s testing for a manufacturer.”
Tony leaned the ladder against Elvira’s alley wall. “It’s pointing toward the back door.”
“Exactly. She moved the lens, but not enough.”
“Who is she spying on?”
“Bubba.”
“Your new tenant?”
“Despite having already interrogated the guy, she doesn’t trust him.”
“Maybe she’s using him as an excuse to ramp up her surveillance.”
“Who knows with that woman?”
Tony climbed the ladder and grabbed hold of the camera. “Which way do you want me to turn it?”
“More to the right.”
He turned the lens. “How’s this?”
She stood back, studying the angle. “Maybe a little more.”
Tony adjusted it again. “She’s gonna be staring at the corner of the alley.”
“Perfect. I like it. This’ll work.” Carlita held the ladder while he made his way down. “Despite believing Elvira is making a mountain out of a molehill, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask a few questions.”
“I ran into him in the alley and introduced myself. He seems like a decent guy.”
“He’s extremely well-mannered, not to mention his former landlord gave him a glowing recommendation.”
“The camera is annoying, but at least Elvira isn’t digging up your property in her never-ending quest for treasure.”
“Yet, and only because Pete threatened to call the cops and have her arrested for trespassing. Thanks for helping with the camera.”
“You’re welcome.”
Mother and son reached the hallway and parted ways at the bottom of the stairs. Carlita climbed to the top and crossed thelanding, stopping when she reached Bubba’s front door. She turned her head, listening to the soft strains of classical music before giving the door a solid rap.
It slowly opened. Her new tenant appeared. “Hello, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Hello, Bubba. I happened to be leaving Ravello’s and figured I would stop by to see how it’s going.”
“Great. I’m still unpacking.” He opened the door wider, giving her a glimpse of the piles of moving boxes stacked against the wall. “I noticed a gated courtyard downstairs.”
Carlita snapped her fingers. “The courtyard. I forgot to mention it’s available for all tenants to use. Mercedes and her friend Autumn, who is also your neighbor, host regular gatherings for friends.”
