The money arrived on time. $50,000 in unmarked, non-sequential bills.
Leo had lived in the shadow of 4A for three years. Not literally, but financially. Richard Vance was the kind of neighbor who made you feel poor without saying a word. Italian marble foyer? Richard paid for the upgrade. Roof garden? Richard’s name was on the donor plaque. Blackmailing My Neighbor -v2024-08-02- -Completed-
But power, like a cheap high, fades fast. The money arrived on time
As he walked out of the station, his phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. Smart choice. Don’t come back to the building. Your lease is terminated. The locks are changed. And Leo? Next time you pick a neighbor to blackmail, make sure they’re actually the villain. — R Leo stood on the curb, the summer sun too bright, the money in his pocket feeling heavier than guilt. Not literally, but financially
So Leo went back to the fire escape.
He didn’t leave the money in the locker.