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“Maybe…four or five.”
“And how much did you say you wanted to raise the rent?”
Roger’s irritation grows. “Look, that girl’s been getting away with murder, paying fourteen hundred for this place. I was merely raising it to market.”
“I looked up what ‘market’ is on the way over, Roger.” I don’t need to tell him the highest listed is two thousand and that’s in crisp renovated condition.
He shifts uncomfortably.
“What it might look like you were doing is raising it higher than market so you can make up the difference on the last few years.”
“They destroyed this apartment,” he shouts, spreading his arms wide. “Look at this place. It’s a dump—”
My jaw hardens at the fucking audacity. “Think you might have a problem on your hands, Rog. I’d hate to see you lose this building because of it.”
“Wh-what do you mean? You don’t think she’ll get a lawyer, do you? Hell, I’ll counter-sue. She used to stand outside with a small table set up and hand out free books to people. You know what kind of traffic she caused? Disturbance? And I checked her storage unit last night to make sure it's empty, the girl managed to sneak half the apartment in there. I can use that in court, couldn’t I? Isn't that some form of trespassing?”
“Hmm. Maybe. You’ll have to ask your lawyer about that.”
“You’re my lawyer.”
“Not anymore.”
“Pardon?”
“Not only was what you did unethical but doubling the rent without proper notice and justification is illegal. I’m dropping you as a client effective immediately and representing Charlotte and anyone else in the building who may be sending complaints that are being ignored. I appreciate you showing me around and letting me snap some photos. I’ll be in touch.” I walk toward the door.
“Wait. Stop. What about the Craig Builders case? We have a court date, you can’t back out now.”
“I’m headed to my office to notify the courts of a conflict of interest. I strongly suggest you pay the builders for their time and ask them to drop the charges.”
I stalk toward the elevators.
“Wait. I can renegotiate the lease. Maybe give her the apartment back.”
I twist. “Oh, you’ll be giving her something back. Her rent. Every penny. Starting with the first month she complained about the water damage.”
A mixture of shock and anger warps his features “That’s four months’ worth.”
I smile diabolically. “Pennies compared to what I can do to you in court. Negligence, extortion…”
“Extortion?”
“How else do you describe asking someone to cough up a bunch of money or else?”
He watches me like he doesn't recognize me. "I've known you half your life, Noah. You would do that?"
I don't even blink. "And how long have you known Charlotte? Did you care where she slept last night?"
He sighs and nods, the fight draining from his eyes. “I’ll have Mike drop off a check to her at the library first thing Monday.”
“Send me a copy of the cleared check and we won’t have a problem. And a note assuring her that her belongings are safe in the storage unit.”
Roger shifts his gaze.
"Roger, her things. It's been less than twenty-four hours. They're still in tact, correct?"
"They were stored without authorization. I had everything picked up by the auction house this morning."
