Chapter 94

Even with 'His Laboring Few' gone the place still had people coming and going. The gates and security cameras were installed by a different groups. The parking lot lines were drawn by a group who had never been to Aster before. I have no idea where Archer found them.

Also during those days Jen was busy as hell. I never had her doing so much for me at once. She was drawing up the rental agreements, which had to be custom done. She was also involved with Lucas and the sale of 'At Your Service'.

I had the keys to the walk gate. That gate was the only way into the courtyard. The courtyard had once included a pool, but that was gone. I had no desire to deal with that kind of maintenance issue. I figured I could handle a lawnmower and trimmer maybe. but that was about it. The parking area in front of the units had been replaced with grass. The off street parking was big enough for a dozen cars which was all I planned to allow on the property. If a tenant had more than two cars, he or she would need to find somewhere else for the surplus.

My renovation plans had always put security first. The locked walk in gate might be a pain in the rain, but it would discourage wanna be thugs from wandering in and out. The high definition security cameras in the parking lot would discourage thefts. Those are most valuable when there are signs announcing their presence. I had four different signs announcing, Smile You Are On High Definition Candid Camera.

The two camera in the parking lot also covered the front doors of the apartments. There was one more camera just for the walk gate. Since I was using the same web hosting service as before, I also stuck one in the living area of my apartment, but not the bedroom area. The XXX part of the show was over.

The work was 99% complete when my first inquiry came walking in. She was a young woman in her mid twenties or thereabouts. "Hi, my name is Amy Smart." She said extending her hand.

"Amy, I'm Maxine. What can I do for you?" I asked.

"I drive by here everyday on my way to work. I have been watching your progress. The gentleman in the parking lot said you were the owner?"

"Yes Ma'am, I am the owner. So again, what is it I can do for you?"

"Could I look at one of the apartments please." she asked politely. From my years in the military I knew they were all as sweet as powdered sugar, till they got what they wanted. I didn't buy the act completely.

"To be honest Amy, I had seniors in mind to rent the apartments. The units are a little small for an active person." I suggested.

"I'm not all that active," she said pressuring me just a little.

"Alright come on let's take a look." The reason I went along was to see her reaction to the place. I showed her the unit we designated as number one. I opened up and let her walk around. I watched her as she moved through the apartment. She seemed just so, so with it and I was fine with that. As I said to her, I had older people in mind not active young people.

"You are right it is small, so how much are you planning to charge for rent?" she asked.

"I really haven't made the final decision. The units have just been finished. The price will include a first class video security system and it has a locked security gate. I am going to include hot and cold water in the rent. Cooling in the summer is with a through the wall air conditioning unit. You pay the electric, so that is on you, however in the winter each apartment will pay a share of the heating bill. That should be a real bargain since it is a gas hot water boiler we all share. I'm think under five hundred a month plus the additional heating in the winter. I will need to get someone in who knows what rents are around here to give me a definite figure."

Amy handed me a card then said, "Would you call me, when you get it worked out. I think I would be interested. I still live with my parents and I'm ready for a change."

"As I told you, I have seniors in mind. I will give you a call, if I decide to rent to the general public." I agreed. I probably would not have agreed except that Amy was a firefighter. I had a soft spot in my heart for cops, firefighters, and hospital worker types. Something about the two in the morning terror for a living thing.

After the Amy chick left I decided that I needed to get to Jen and light a fire under her. "Jen I got people asking about the apartments already. I need those rental applications and agreements."

"Then get your ass over here at lunchtime and pick them up. No wait a minute, I have a lunch date. Why don't you come at two and I'll try to get Lucas in at the same time. He is asking for a meeting."

"Do it shyster," I said.

"Cool, I'll have my girl Friday call you to confirm," she said with a laugh.

It was about an hour later when the phone played mag7 again. "Hello," I said expecting the receptionist.

"Max, I got word from interpol that they found the body of Davenport in one of those little republics that used to be part of the Russian block." Blevins informed me.

"Really, I guess there won't be a trial now." I replied trying to act surprised.

"I guess not," he admitted. "Don't you want to know how he died?"

"Will he be any more dead, if I know the details?" I asked.

"Good point, well it appears that he was murdered. He may have even been tortured first."

"Not much sense torturing him after he is dead," I suggested being my usual smart ass self.