Dead Drop by Carolyn Jewel

Author:Carolyn Jewel [Jewel, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781937823252
Publisher: cJewel Books
Published: 2014-12-17T07:00:00+00:00

eleven

Palla lived on the top floor of an apartment building on Octavia Street in San Francisco. The tiny lobby and elevator had all the charm the 1970s had ever managed, which meant practically none. The hallway to his apartment was as depressing as the elevator. It made her feel better that his place had to cost a lot more than hers without being any less solidly no big deal. Besides, she lived in an actual house while he had to make do in an apartment.

At the door, he touched a carved wooden medallion set above the frame. He held her bulging suitcase in his other hand. Similar medallions were at Maddy’s house, inside and out. The back of her head tingled, and her stomach pitched. This was disconcerting, her being able to tell when he was drawing on his magic.

They went inside, and the lights slowly came on without him touching a single fixture. She walked forward to get a better look. Her vision adjusted, and she didn’t even care what he thought of her. The awfulness of the not-even-retro decor of the lobby faded away.

Palla’s apartment opened onto a room that overlooked the San Francisco Bay. She could see the lights of the Golden Gate Bridge to the left and the dark water of the bay in front of her. Behind her, she heard him set down his car fob.

When she tore her eyes from the view and actually looked around, there was more to love here. The living room was blue, sea-green, and bronze, and there were glowing bronze stars painted on the ceiling. His furniture was a mix of Stickley and Mission, and there was art on the walls. Real art, with colors that said, hell yes, this is color. You never saw red until right now this minute.

Words went straight from her heart to her mouth. “I want to live here.”

“Oh, fuck no.”

“You’ll never get me out of here.”

“Six weeks tops, angel.” He moved past her. “Enjoy it while you can. Guest room’s this way.”

“How about if I cook for you?” She stayed where she was. “Can I live here then?”

“I have a service. They do everything.” He kept walking, and when he disappeared down the hall, she gave up and followed him. He’d opened a door about halfway down the hall, and he’d dropped her suitcase just inside the doorway.

She followed him inside and couldn’t stop from yanking his chain. “Accountant, maybe?”

“Bathroom’s there.” Her suitcase looked cheap and battered in this room, but he flicked on the light and wow. Just wow.

“Look at this.” She turned in a circle. More stars were painted on the ceiling, copper instead of bronze. She’d be able to lie in bed, maybe, and watch them. One of the walls was vibrant ochre; the rest were linen white. From the window, she could see Pacific Heights and the sweep downhill, which wasn’t as amazing as the living room, but still nice. She loved it. “Gofer? Car washer in chief?” She put her back to the window.

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