“Can I get you something?”
“I’m fine.” She reached her walker and took the glass over to the sink. She dropped it in and slowly wheeled back to them.
“Well, I’m glad you’re ok.”
“It was all for you, Jacob. I risk my life for you. For this job.”
It wasn’t worth fighting.
“Yes, yes you do.”
Charlotte pushed the walker aside and sat down again. She seemed calm now and looked at both of them. She had her hair down. It was long, and though it was gray, it made her look like a girl the way it outlined her pale face. She sat with her legs crossed at the ankles. She was waiting for an introduction.
“Charlotte, do you have something to say?”
“I do.”
“Let’s hear it.”
She pursed her lips and spoke.
“Now Mr. Russo, I have a story for you. It’s why I wanted to speak with you today.”
“How did you know my last name?”
“I looked you up. I know your work.”
“He’s a real writer,” Gary said. He seemed resuscitated-he was talking enough. “Jacob can take sentences and spin them into gold. Or at least newspapers.”
She kept going.
“Mr. Russo, I have a story. But you’ll have to promise confidentiality. Or that I’ll be protected until it’s published.”
He almost laughed. But she looked serious sitting there, her hair falling down.
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem Charlotte. But I can promise you that I won’t tell anyone anything. And if I write an article, I’ll ask your consent. That goes for Gary and his photos, too.”
“Thank you.”
Gary looked at Jake and arched his eyebrows. Theatrically. Jake didn’t respond. He did it again. Jake tried to nod a bit, but it wasn’t enough. Gary kept going and Charlotte looked over.
“Sir, what are you doing?”
“I’m sorry. It must be a spasm from my near death experience.”
She waited until he stopped.
“Well, Mr. Russo, I’d like to tell you my story now.”
Suddenly, Gary sat up straight.
“Remember, I died for this story!”
Jake and Charlotte looked over. She looked back at Jake and leaned forward further in her chair. Her hair fell down past her knees.
“I think this story could change conditions in every building in Sunset Cove. I know that some people don’t want me to talk about it. But I will talk about it, whether they like it or not. And Mr. Russo, I’m not going to be silent any longer.”
Gary stopped raising his eyebrows. Jake looked at Charlotte. She was serious. Her eyelids were wrinkled but her eyes were bright. Shining. She didn’t blink. He got out his notebook and pen again. He was ready to write. All they could hear was their own breathing and the air conditioner.
Then Gary shouted and almost fell out of his chair.
Someone was at the door.
They knocked three times. And they knocked harder each time.
CHAPTER 5
“Jake, what are you doing here?”
Mel stood at the door with her hands on her hips. Her hair was mussed and she had a folder in her arms. They stared at each other for a moment and then he let her by.
“I was here to speak with Charlotte. We met the other day.”
“She’s the resident you’re interviewing?”
Charlotte nodded.
“Hello Melissa. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
Jake looked at Charlotte. She didn’t seem nervous or upset. She carried the same posture she’d had before. Then Mel turned right and saw Gary.
“Oh. You’re here. How are you, Gary?”
“I have a new lease on life!”
“OK. Well…that’s good.” She looked left again. “Charlotte, I’m sorry-I just got here. I didn’t even realize an ambulance had shown up until a few minutes ago. Usually, Eddie calls me when he arrives, but this time he called me once he left. What happened? He said everyone was all right. Did you fall?”
She was speaking quickly and breathing heavily. Jake wanted to go to her and comfort her, to touch her bare arm and feel the goose bumps. He stood still.
“I’m fine,” Charlotte said. “Actually, nothing happened to me. This man, Gary, fainted.”
“Oh. That makes a lot of sense.”
Gary looked up.
“Melissa, I never asked you if your ankle healed. Are you doing well? Such a nice young lady shouldn’t have any handicaps.”
“What happened?” Charlotte asked. Jake sighed.
“Gary was taking a photo for the paper. He kept telling Mel to take a step back. She took a few steps too many and ended up falling into a five-foot ditch.”
Mel looked at her leg.
“I’ve healed up well, Gary. I haven’t been able to run. I, uh, was growing tired of it anyway.”
“Wonderful!”
“You run?” Jake asked.
“Yes, I did.”
“So do I. I run.”
They smiled. Charlotte and Gary looked at each other. Gary started arching his eyebrows again, and Mel took it as her cue to leave. She said goodbye and walked out the door. Gary seemed pleased.
“I’m glad her ankle’s better.”
Charlotte frowned.
“That was interesting timing, wasn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
Jake opened his notebook again.
“It was interesting that she would choose to burst in at that moment, exactly when I was going to reveal my story. I think she is a well-intentioned girl. But she isn’t beyond stopping a woman like me from telling the truth.”
“I’m sure it was a coincidence.”
“You’re compromised.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw you two smile. You’re on her side. I don’t know if I can trust you.”
“Of course you can.”
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
“Then check if she is outside.”
