Everyone Had a Key but Me novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: Rule Three

The keypad came off our front door on a Saturday.

Gabe stood on the top step in the cold with a screwdriver, his sleeves rolled, and a lock maker's van idling at the curb.

"I wanted it done right," he said. "The lock company cuts them and logs them. Two keys, and no more. I signed for one."

"Only one?"

"Yours. The other is for you to sign for."

I leaned on the railing in my coat and watched him work.

It was the first time I'd seen him work with tools instead of a pen.

Dario sat on the stoop opposite with a paper cup of coffee, reading his phone, a normal man waiting for his cousin.

"You're doing it wrong," he called.

"I'm doing it right," Gabe said.

"You're doing it slowly."

"Go inside, Dario."

"I'm not inside. I'm in a chair. Like she said." Dario lifted his cup at me. "Good morning, Claire."

I laughed.

It was a real laugh, and it surprised me.

The lock clicked into the frame at last.

Gabe stood and wiped his hands on his jeans.

He took the lock maker's tag off a bright brass key, slowly, and held it out to me.

"This one's yours," he said.

I did not take it right away.

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