Route 7 Review | Page 157

against her; she’s all alone and doesn’t need that huge apartment.” He rubbed his hands together as he concocted a diabolical scheme. Sy stared at his boss with a look of disbelief. “How could you do this to her? Don’t you have a soul?” At that moment, Tyler’s usual cold emotion returned, and he stared at Sy with dead eyes and a blank expression. “I once was broke and pathetic like you. I was married with two children and was pinching every penny I could.” He rose to his feet then walked over and stared out the window. “I was tired of living like that so I gave it all up to get ahead.” He turned and faced Sy. “I sold my soul long ago, so don’t speak to me about compassion, because in this business; there’s no place for it.” Tyler walked over and grabbed the papers off of his desk. “I’ll head over to that building and speak to her, and in thirty minutes; I want you to arrive with these contracts so she can sign them.” He grabbed his trench coat then headed for the door, but just as he opened it; Tyler stopped. “What’s her name?” “Ms. Cipher.” Tyler shrugged his shoulders then said. “Interesting name; have those contracts there in thirty minutes.” A short time later, Tyler arrived at the apartment building. After ascending to the sixth floor, he exited the elevator and walked down the long hall to the only apartment on the floor, apartment thirty six. Tyler knocked on the door then looked around with a frown on his face, as if it was beneath him to even be in the building. Seconds later, the door opened and an old lady with a head full of thin gray hair emerged. “Can I help you?” she asked. Tyler looked down at the small woman. She was about five feet in stature, and wore thick bifocals. “Yes, my name is Tyler Sands. I would like to speak to you for a few minutes.” The old lady was trusting by nature, and liked the way he was dressed, so she stepped aside and invited him in. After entering the apa rtment, he looked around and noticed how spacious it was, but also noticed there were no pictures on the wall. The furniture was haggard to say the least, and the apartment had a smell of a cat’s litter box, but there were no cats in sight. “Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked in a low, frail voice. “No thank you” He took a seat on the couch, and watched as she struggled to sit in the chair across from him. He looked at his watch and knew his assistant would be arriving in just over fifteen minutes, so he had to begin. “I would like to speak to you about your apartment.” Before he could continue, Ms. Cipher interrupted. “Yes, I’ve been living here for over fifty years.” she looked around the room. “My husband and I lived here until the day he died.” she paused for a moment while thinking of her beloved then cracked a smile. “Are you married?” “No, ma’am” Just as he was about to continue, she interrupted once again talking about her husband and the old days. “Would you like some tea?” she asked once again. He smiled in an attempt to conceal his frustration. “I’m fine.” As she continued to banter, sinister thoughts began to resonate in Tyler’s mind. He knew she lived alone and did not have any family. No one would miss her and I could forge her signature. He thought. He surveyed the room searching for a blunt instrument, and his eyes quickly focused on an old, brass candlestick holder that sat on the end table just to his right. Ms. Cipher made her way to her feet then asked. “Would you like a cup of tea?” “No, Ma’am” he responded with a harsh tone, clearly aggravated. She gave him a smile then began to slowly make her way to the kitchen with the aid of her cane. He stared at his watch, knowing Sy would be there in a matter of minutes. His frustration had turned to anger, as he aggressively grabbed the candlestick holder then rose to his feet. His eyes narrowed, and his grip tightened; the moment of truth had arrived, and his mind was made up. Her life was meaningless to him, and it was time to take action. He took two steps forward then came to