Whisper Cape by Susan Griscom Page A

clutched a large toolbox. His once white T-shirt, now a dull gray, was only half tucked in.
    “Hey, Addie. Darcy.” He sauntered over toward the kitchen, his tool belt clanking at his waist, his small dark eyes focused on the puddle in the middle of the floor.
    “Hmmm.” He stood looking down at the floor rubbing his head. “This is quite a leak you have here, Addie. It might take a while. It must have been leaking all night. Good thing you called me first thing this morning before it went through the floor to the Richardson’s apartment.”
    “Well, thanks for coming up so quickly.” Addie turned her attention back to Darcy and they exchanged grins at the site of the strange-looking little man.
    Addie looked down at her robe and grimaced. “Darcy, will you stay while I get some clothes on?” she whispered, glancing toward Ed, indicating her discomfort at being alone with him while she changed.
    “Sure, but hurry, I have things to do.”
    Addie left Darcy sitting on the bed and grabbed a T-shirt from her closet, snatched up the jeans she’d left piled on the floor and went into the bathroom. Tugging on the pants, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror and frowned at the red lines still so heavy in her eyes. She pulled the shirt over her head, ran her fingers through her hair and splashed more water on her face.
    “There. Not perfect, but okay for now.”
    When she came out of the bathroom, Darcy was still on the bed, looking bored. She jumped up when she saw Addie, straightened her pants that had bunched halfway up her calves and headed toward the door.
    “Well, I guess I’ll see you tonight, then.”
    “Yeah, tonight. Thanks.” Addie shut the door and turned to see how Ed was doing with the leak.
    “If you’ve got things to do, I can lock up for you when I’m done.” Ed’s voice sounded muffled as he spoke from under the sink.
    “Oh, no problem, I need to do some work on the computer anyway. You know, check my email and stuff.” Addie wasn’t exactly keen on the idea of leaving while there was someone in her apartment—even if it was just Ed. Besides, she could take this opportunity to check some websites on the subject of paranormal abilities.
    She went into the kitchen, stepping over Ed and his tools to grab a cup of coffee before starting her internet search, but soon found herself engaged in a conversation with the funny little man whose head was stuck under her sink, the red pants covering his skinny legs stretched out over her floor.
    “So, do you ever get lonely living on your own now? You know, away from your aunt?” Ed asked.
    “Oh, now and again, but mostly I like being alone.”
    “Seems to me a pretty young woman like yourself should have a man coming around more often than you do.”
    “Not you, too? Why does everyone think I need a man?”
    “I’m just sayin’ I haven’t noticed you bringing anybody home at all since you moved in, not that I’m nosy or anything. But, I do like to keep a watchful eye over my tenants, especially the young women, make sure no harm comes to them. You know?”
    “Yeah, well, no need to worry about me. I’m not really interested in men right now.”
    “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you were one of those gays.”
    Addie choked out a laugh. “No, Ed. I’m not gay. I just haven’t met anyone I’d like to get to know that way, if you know what I mean.”
    “Oh yeah, sure, I know what you mean. Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply ... well, you don’t look masculine or anything.”
    Addie laughed again and was sure his face under the sink was bright red. “Thanks, I think.” Having a conversation about her sexual orientation with her sweet little landlord was the last thing she thought she’d be doing this morning. “Well I guess there is a bit of comfort knowing you’re looking out for me.”
    “I try to keep a lookout. Young women like you and Darcy need to be careful these days.”
    “Yeah, did you hear about the woman they found