The Unseen Read Free Page A

he began drilling into the concrete. It wasn’t easy, and he knew he’d burn through a couple of bits, but he didn’t mind the work. He enjoyed it. He had the whole night if he needed it.
    Later, when he’d completed drilling three holes, he tapped anchors into them and turned the screws inside; they expanded to fit the holes and wedged themselves in place. Then it was just a simple matter of affixing his small hammock, handmade from several sections of climbing rope, to the anchors.
    Finished, he stepped down from the top of the divider and admired his work. With the hammock in place up above the tiles, he could hang comfortably, facedown, to peer into Noel’s world below. Not so much different from the elevator, really. But more intimate. And therefore more exciting.
    He put all the acoustic tiles he’d pushed aside back into the track, save for the one that was directly over Noel’s head and computer terminal. In this one, he drilled a small hole—so small it looked like the simple pattern of the tile—and then put it in its place as well. Now he had an observation deck, complete with a peephole.
    He jumped down from Noel’s desk, noticing the thick layer of concrete dust he’d let filter down. Sloppy, yes. He usually wasn’t so. But no matter. He brushed the dust off the desk and chair, sweeping it to the floor. He left, found the janitor’s closet on that floor (unlocked, of course, but no janitor around), and returned with some towels, cleaner, and a small hand vac.
    Five minutes later, all evidence of his being there was gone. And Noel’s cubicle was probably cleaner than it ever had been with the regular janitorial staff working. He’d worked up a bit of a sweat and could use a good cleaning himself, so he’d probably have to shower soon. The Y and the homeless shelters were always options, but Lucas knew more than a few offices in the neighborhood that provided workout areas and locker rooms with showers for their employees.
    Mostly high-tech companies, pouring on benefits to keep workers healthy and happy. And in those places, the hot water never ran out in the middle of your shower.
    Finished with the immediate work, Lucas readjusted his backpack and found himself staring at the photo of Noel and her kids again.
    A beautiful photo, really.
    He took it and added it to the items already in his pack.

TWO
    THE NEXT DAY LUCAS MADE HIS WAY TO THE BLUE BELL CAFé FOR HIS early morning dishwashing shift.
    The Blue Bell was an ancient cube of stucco, weathered gray by decades of grime. Just down the street, a new strip mall was rising, a nod at gentrification. But here, on the shady side of the street, the Blue Bell refused to give up its many ghosts.
    He put a hand on the side of the Hobart. Room temperature; no way Briggs had run it in the last couple hours.
    â€œDid it to you again, huh?”
    Lucas recognized Sarea’s voice and turned around. She was smiling, as usual, and her eyes shimmered. Lucas thought again of the photo he’d lifted from Noel’s desk, and realized he was drawn to the photo because that look on Noel’s face—that look of absolute joy—was much like the look Sarea always had on her face. He blushed a bit at this thought.
    â€œYeah, I guess,” he offered.
    â€œShould at least ask you to kiss him first, before he goes and does that.”
    Lucas smiled. “I could probably live without a kiss from Briggs.”
    â€œWe all could.” She turned and was gone.
    Sarea was like that; one moment, she was in the room with you, carrying on a conversation. Then, without warning, she was gone.
    An hour later, she might be back, picking up where she’d left off. For Sarea, life was one long conversation with several pauses.
    Lucas, smiling, turned on the hot water and started rinsing dishes.
    HE DID A DOUBLE SHIFT, AND SAREA DOUBLED OVER WITH HIM. SHE EVEN spent an hour helping him load dishes after