Page 44 of Gem Warfare

“We’re in property,” added Lily. “We flip houses.”

“Oh? That’s interesting. Usually it’s guys. I bet my mom was impressed.”

“We were hoping to sell some of our properties,” I said.

“To my mom? I didn’t know she was looking for houses. She thought apartments were a better investment for her portfolio but I expect she told you that. Dee, don’t touch that. Sorry.”

“There was actually some confidential paperwork we left with your mom recently,” I said. “I’m sorry this is awkward but we need it back.”

“Oh. Yes, of course. I could ask my dad but I don’t think he’s thinking too clearly at the moment. Mom’s office is at the back. If you tell me what to look for I can check her desk.”

“It’s quite old paperwork actually. About a property she used to own.”

“Due diligence,” added Lily.

“How old?” asked the woman.

“Twenty years ago.”

“Oh, gosh. Well, Mom probably wouldn’t have that kind of paperwork in her office. She usually keeps all the old files in the basement. If she needed something old, she’d bring it upstairs and she did bring a few things up just last week. I told her she should have asked me or Dad to carry the boxes but she just rolled her eyes.” She stopped, frowning. “But you said you dropped off paperwork last week? So that’s probably still on her desk.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s old paperwork about an old property but it’s very confidential and we need to get it back or we could get in trouble.”

“But you’re the bosses?”

“With the city,” I said. “The building inspectors have been a nightmare.”

“Permits,” said Lily in a knowing, hushed voice.

“Oh, say no more. The battles my mom had to fight when she submitted renovation plans. You’d think they’d have improved over the years but I guess not.”

“You didn’t follow your parents into the property business?”

“Oh, goodness, no. I’m a teacher. Dee, put that down. There’s my dad,” she said as a man with dark circles under his eyes and slumped shoulders entered the room. He looked around blankly and walked out again. “Sorry, I should check on him. Sorry.”

“What are the odds Mr. Greenberg sees through us?” asked Lily.

“High,” I said. “Let’s steer clear of him, find the office and leave. I don’t want to draw any attention if we can avoid it and I don’t think we should linger. The daughter says it was at the back. Plenty of people are strolling around so we’ll blend right in.”

“Let’s go.”

We left the room, turning left and heading along the hallway, past a dining room and a smaller den. A man stepped out of a powder room into the hallway, and a waiter with an empty tray walked straight ahead into what I assumed was the kitchen. There were two doors left. I tried one, the handle awkwardly wobbly, finding stairs heading down.

“It must be that one,” I said, pointing to the other door. “This leads to the basement.” I tried to shut it but it kept popping open so I gave up, leaving it slightly ajar.

“It’s a nice house,” said Lily as she ran her hand across a mahogany credenza. “But it’s got a lot of old people furniture.”

“Old people live here.”

“I’m just saying a little modernization wouldn’t hurt.” Lily tried the handle and the door opened. She stepped inside, took a few steps, paused, shrieked, turned around and ran into me. As Lily barreled forwards, I stumbled backwards and Lily just kept on going, hands flapping, horror etched across her face until we were stumbling through the open door opposite.

Before we tumbled down the stairs, I grabbed Lily and held her, forcing her to a stop. She breathed heavily, her eyes wide with alarm as she rested against the wall.

“What the heck just happened?” I asked. Behind Lily, the waiter caught the door and pushed it firmly closed, without glancing inside, as he walked past, leaving us in the dark.

“She was in there!”

“Who?”

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