Page 15 of Done Dirty

“Sorry we’re late,” Lily said. “Suburban needed gas.”

“It always needs gas,” Sheldon said. He looked at me through the fogged lenses. “It’s really hot outside. Did you know gasoline evaporates faster on hot days? A tank filled on a ninety-degree day contains measurably less energy than the same tank filled in January. We’re technically getting less fuel for our money all summer.”

“Even Mother Nature is out to scam us,” I said dryly. “Victim is on the fourth floor. Condo 403. Check in with Daniels.”

Lily headed for the elevator with the gurney, and Sheldon ran to catch up with her long stride.

“I didn’t know that about the gas,” I told Jack.

The front lobby was empty except for a man in his early thirties behind the concierge desk. He wore a white polo shirt with The Windsor logo on the chest and watched the monitors while glancing occasionally through the front windows. He was in good shape and sported a mustache that seemed like an unfortunate fashion trend among men my age and younger. He wore a gold band on his ring finger and a tactical watch.

“Are you the concierge?” Jack asked.

“Yes, sir,” he said, shaking Jack’s hand and then nodding at me. “Brett Callum.”

“I’m Sheriff Lawson and this is Dr. Graves. We’re investigating the homicide in 403.”

“Wade Rivers,” he said automatically. “I can’t believe it. This is a safe building. Nothing like that has ever happened before. I’ve been getting calls all morning from the other residents. Mrs. Ashford-St. Claire in 206 won’t even come out of her condo.”

“We’ll be out of everyone’s way before too much longer,” Jack said. “Were you on shift last night?”

“Yes, sir. Seven to seven. I’m working two twelves in a row because I’ve got to work on July fourth. I’m a firefighter, so that’s a mandatory work holiday.”

“Nice,” Jack said. “Where are you stationed out of?”

“King George Proper,” he said. “I actually live over there, but this job was too good to pass up, and it works well with my schedule. I work a twenty-four at the station and then have forty-eight off. So I’ll work a twelve here twice a week, and I’ll pick up shifts when I can if the other guys need PTO or vacation. My wife and I just found out we’re going to have our first kid, so every little bit helps.”

“Congratulations,” Jack told him. “How far along is she?”

“Just a few weeks,” he said. “She’s not even sick or anything yet. Said she’s never felt better.”

“Maybe she’s one of the lucky ones,” I said.

“You get to know all the residents pretty well?”

“Oh, yeah,” he said, rolling his eyes and relaxing a bit. “We offer a full concierge service and the condos here aren’t cheap. We also stand in as security if needed, but we try to keep that low-key. The people here just want to feel safe. They don’t want to know how it’s achieved.”

He grinned and I couldn’t help but smile back. He was personable and likable and I could see why he’d be a welcome sight to residents. Brett was the kind of guy who’d ask about your day and remember everything you told him.

“Are y’all at full occupancy?” Jack asked.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, and then frowned. “Though I guess we’ll have an opening soon. I still can’t wrap my head around it.” He shook his head and continued. “We’ve got a two-year waiting list, and even then there’s a selection process. Just because you’re next on the list and you can afford it doesn’t mean you’ll get the place. The residents get to vote on anyone coming in. It’s kind of like a country club.”

“Wow,” I said. “That sounds horrible.”

He laughed and said, “I know, right? I wouldn’t even be able to swing a one-bedroom here on my salary. It’s nuts.”

“So what does a concierge / security guard do?”

“Basically everything and anything. My job is to acquire whatever a resident needs, within legal reason of course. Concert tickets, grocery delivery, escort service.” His brows rose high on his forehead. “Believe me, I’ve seen and heard it all.”

“We hope so,” Jack said. “Did you happen to see Wade Rivers come in yesterday evening?”

“Around quarter to seven,” Brett said immediately. “He was carrying a few grocery bags from the market down the street.”

“He come in with anyone?”

“Not this time,” he said. “I hadn’t seen Paige in a couple days, so I figured she was on a trip or something. Jessica was closing up the office when he came in, and they rode up in the elevator together. They live on the same floor.”