3 Chapter 3

I emptied trash, dusted furniture, and vacuumed carpets. Cleaning the glass doors, kitchen sinks, and floors came last. It was a rhythm I’d grown used to over the years, starting very young as I followed my father around in his own house cleaning business, God rest his soul.

By the time I got to the last office, it was half past eight. There were a few people still working in the property management area, but they ignored me in favor of getting their tasks done. The room furthest in the back was my last stop before vacuuming. Turned out, it was Titus Leung’s office, and he was still at his desk, jacket removed and shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, as he pored through a stack of papers.

Doing my best to keep from jumping the man right then and there, I said a quick, “Good evening,” not expecting a reply, and set about my tasks.

“Wait a sec. Aren’t you, uh, Ed Kaehler? The housekeeping manager?” I looked at him and saw his eyebrows arch in shock, then knot in confusion.