Page 3 of The Fall Risk

“Me either,” she said. “I don’t need to leave. I can stay in my apartment for a weekend, it’s just three days.”

John didn’t look convinced. “I still think I should get something out here.”

“If neither of us are going to use it, don’t spend the money on a lift,” I said. “Just get us a ladder, in case we have an emergency.”

“Can you use a ladder with your foot?” he asked.

“If I’m motivated enough, I’ll figure it out.”

He puffed air into his cheeks. “Okay. We’ll compensate you for the inconvenience. Prorate your rent. Back out the days you’re stuck up there, cut you a check for a hotel and food whether you use it or not.”

I looked at Charlotte. She shrugged. “Seems fair,” she said quietly.

“We get paid to be trapped in our apartments.”

“I’m usually trapped in my apartment for free,” she whispered.

I snorted and looked back at John. “We accept.”

Three minutes later he came back with a ladder.

“I’m really sorry,” he said, leaning it against the landing.

“It happens,” I said.

“Well, it actually doesn’t,” he said. “But I appreciate you guys being cool about it. Is there anything I can get you two?”

I looked at my partner in captivity. “I’m good.”

“How about a bucket and a rope?” she called. “In case we need to haul up groceries or something.”

“Or lower lotion down,” I said.

I got a laugh out of her. Silence of the Lambs reference. Always a good icebreaker.

“Sure,” John said. “And text me if you think of anything else.”

We watched him leave from our second-story perch. When he was gone, she turned to me. “I really hope he doesn’t get in trouble. He’s so nice.”

“It’s not his fault,” I said. “And I’m certainly not reporting it to anyone.”

“Me either. You’re not putting this on YouTube or something, are you?”

“I wouldn’t even begin to know how to do that,” I said honestly.

She smiled a little. She was still holding the bear spray.

I nodded at it. “You carry that with you everywhere?” I asked.

“It’s more convenient than my gun. Smaller too.”

I choked.

“Can we actually keep the ladder up here?” she asked.

I blinked at her. “Up here?”

“Yeah. It kind of freaks me out that someone can climb it.”