Chapter 2
Katherine had her arm linked through Franklin's, her makeup flawless, and her eyes flickered with barely concealed scrutiny and hostility.
A man in a business suit sat beside them. He was Franklin's lawyer.
The lawyer adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice steady but every word sharp enough to sting.
He said, "Ms. Harvey, based on my client's account, you've kept his house keys and come and gone from his apartment for two years without his clear authorization.
"Legally, that's trespassing."
I stared at him in silence.
The lawyer continued, "Given that you and my client are neighbors, we're proposing mediation for the sake of neighborly goodwill.
"My client only asks for two things: a public apology from you, and your promise that you'll never interfere with his or Ms. Cowper's life again, in any form.
"Furthermore, the surveillance equipment you installed at his doorway without permission constitutes a serious invasion of both my client's and Ms. Cowper's privacy.
"We demand that you immediately and unconditionally remove all such devices."
When he finished, the mediation room fell into a heavy silence.
Katherine nestled against Franklin's shoulder.
"Franklin, just knowing there are eyes always watching us at the door makes me feel scared," she whispered.
Franklin gave her hand a comforting squeeze, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Don't worry, we'll resolve this today."
Franklin finally raised his head and met my gaze.
There wasn't a hint of guilt in his eyes, only a cold, condescending judgment.
He said, "Leila, I always thought you were someone with common sense and decency.
"I never expected you'd do something like this.
"I came back to start fresh, and I don't want any more entanglements."
The mediator, a woman in her forties, glanced at me, her tone fairly gentle.
"Ms. Harvey, is there anything you'd like to explain regarding what the plaintiff's side just said?"
I shook my head.
With the way they turn everything upside down, any explanation wouldn't mean a thing.
I wasn't about to argue with them.
I was just here to settle things once and for all.
I opened my bag and took out two items: a set of keys and an old, yellowed note.
I placed the keys on the table and gently slid them over.
"These are your house keys; one's the original, and the other is a copy I had made for convenience," I said.
Then I unfolded the piece of paper.
It was written by Franklin the night before he left for overseas, two years ago.
A few lines scrawled in his bold, dramatic handwriting.
[I, Franklin Reed, am heading overseas for work. I'm asking my friend Leila Harvey to take care of my apartment (305), and hold onto the keys until I return. Signed as proof.]
It was signed and dated at the bottom.
I placed the letter of authorization gently next to the keys.
I said, "This is the letter you personally wrote two years ago.
"I'm returning everything to you now."
Franklin's expression shifted instantly. His face went pale the moment he saw the letter.
His lawyer was clearly caught off guard by this unexpected evidence, and for a second, he just sat there, stunned.
A flash of panic crossed Katherine's eyes.
The mediator picked up the note, looked it over carefully, then glanced at Franklin.
"Mr. Reed, did you write this yourself?" she asked.
Franklin's lips moved, but he couldn't get a word out.
I stood up.
I didn't care to stick around and watch their stunned reactions.
I gave the mediator a slight nod.
I said, "That's all I have to say.
"From now on, whatever goes on in 305 is no longer my concern."
With that, I didn't spare anyone another glance. I turned and walked out of the mediation room.
Stepping out of the courthouse, the sunlight was so bright it stung my eyes.
I squinted and grabbed my phone.
The first call I made was to property management.
I said, "Hello, this is Leila Harvey, owner of 306 in Building 10.
"Can you send a couple of guys over to take down all the security gear I put up at 305's door?"
The line went quiet for a second.
"You want everything taken down? Ms. Harvey, that setup's actually pretty nice..."
"Yes, all of it," I cut him off. "I don't want a single screw left. Do it now."
The property guys worked fast.
By the time I got home, I could already hear banging and rattling coming from Franklin's door across the hall.
I opened my door and saw two workers in uniforms taking down the security camera from the wall.
The smart lock panel was already off, showing all the messy wiring inside.
One of the workers, who knew me, paused when he saw me step outside.
He said, "Ms. Harvey, are you really having all this nice equipment taken down? That's a real pity."
I nodded.
"Please, go ahead and take it down. Thanks for your help," I said.
With that, I closed the door.