Eats to Die For! by Michael Mallory Read Free Book Online Page A

manager called from hallway.
    I didn’t reply, just in case there was a bug planted in here, too. Instead I scooped up a bunch of papers that were strewn all over the floor and neatened them into a stack. I had no idea what they might be, but the fact that they were still here strongly implied they were expendable.
    Finding a large envelope in the pile, I stuck the papers inside and quickly scrawled “Burger Heaven” on the outside. I then rejoined the manager in the hallway. “Got it,” I said, waiving the envelope in front of him.
    â€œâ€™Bout damn time,” he said, closing the door and locking it.
    We were back to the elevator when I heard footsteps running down the hall. A tall, impossibly thin, gawky young man appeared and hollered, “Hold the door, okay?” The manager made no attempt to, but the guy managed to slide in sideways through the narrowing gap of the closing doors. That’s how thin he was.
    â€œThanks,” he said, guilelessly.
    Down on the ground level the manager lurched back to his unit, presumably to continue his regimen of emptying bottles and ignoring requests for maintenance, while I headed for the front door.
    Halfway there, I noticed Mr. Skinny following me. “Why were you looking in Luisa’s apartment?” he asked.
    I turned around and faced him, smiling. In my experience, smiling often diffuses a confrontation, except for those rare times when you get punched. “Why do you want to know?”
    â€œBecause I’m her neighbor. We’re friends. I haven’t seen her in a couple days, which is unusual. Do you know where she is?”
    â€œNo, not really. I was asked to come here by Louie’s boss.”
    â€œLouie?”
    â€œThat’s what’s she’s called. You didn’t know that?”
    â€œWell, we haven’t really talked all that much, outside of hi.”
    Suddenly I got the picture. This poor, wormy naïf was stuck on Luisa Sandoval, and probably waited in his apartment for the sound of her door opening so he could pop out and say hello. He harbored in his heart the impossible dream that they could someday be a couple, and so was not simply puzzled by her disappearance but distressed by it.
    What’s more, he now appeared crushed at finding someone who knew something so basic about his precious Luisa, which he did not know.
    There but for the grace of Us go you , Bogie sneered, truthfully, unfortunately.
    But since we were on the subject of truth, I decided maybe I’d better come clean to the beanpole. “Look, I’m a private investigator. Louie came to me about a case, and that was the last I saw of her.”
    â€œWhat were you looking for in her room? What’s that stuff you’re holding?”
    â€œFirst things first. What’s your name?”
    â€œAvery.”
    â€œWell, Mr. Avery—”
    â€œNo that’s my first name. My full name is Avery Klemmer.” He stuck out a hand, which I took. It was like weighing a filet at the fish market.
    I dropped the damp, dead hand. “Dave Beauchamp, but as to what I’m looking for, I’m afraid that’s confidential to the case.”
    â€œAre you going to keep looking?”
    â€œI got your charming building manager to let me in today, but I don’t think he’s going to do it again.”
    â€œI can get you in if you’re brave.”
    â€œBrave?”
    â€œOur apartments have balconies,” he said. “If you’re not afraid of heights, you can jump from one to the other. I can let you into my place and you can get to her balcony.”
    â€œAnd you’ve done this?”
    He looked down at the floor and uttered, “No. I’m afraid of heights.”
    â€œYou’d let me into your place?”
    â€œIf it will help find Luisa. I mean, Louie.”
    â€œLet’s go.”
    We went back up the elevator and he opened up his place to me. Avery Klemmer’s