“I’ll just be a minute.” Simms disappeared through an open doorway, returning a few minutes later with a tray, which he placed on the coffee table. “Help yourself.”
Harry picked up a mug. “How long have you been doing this job?”
“Almost seven years, since the owner decided to live in warmer climates,” Simms said. “You said you had questions about a tenant.”
Harry nodded. “Jordan Whitley.”
“Nice, quiet young man,” Simms said. “What kind of questions?”
“He thinks his apartment is haunted.” Harry then told Simms what Whitley had been experiencing.
Simms was nodding his head when Harry finished. “I think I can explain the thudding sounds. There’s a gap between both ends of the hallway and the outer walls where two brick chimneys once stood to accommodate the fireplaces of the original house. The fireplaces were removed but I don’t know if all the old bricks were.”
“And they could be coming loose and falling.” Harry nodded. “That makes sense.”
“Molly Bishop, the former tenant, told me her story when she handed in her key,” Simms continued. “I spent some time up there, giving the place a paint job before bringing in a new tenant. Some of that time was at night, but I experienced nothing to confirm her story, so I saw no reason to mention it to Whitley.”
“I can understand that.” Harry rubbed his chin. “The attic window might need to be caulked, but I’d like you to wait until his problem is solved. Meanwhile, if you could put me in touch with Miss Bishop, I’d like to compare their stories.”
“Give me your number and I’ll call you after I connect with her.”
Harry handed him a business card and stood up. “I’ll be in touch.”
Simms opened the door. “I know the things you do for people, Mr. Hogan, and I’ll be interested to see how this turns out.”
It was almost noon so Harry picked up a salad and a burger on his way back. He knew Bertie would have left her research findings on his desk before she went home for lunch. He was still reading when she returned.
She frowned at him. “You had take-out.”
“First time in a month,” he said and help up the papers. “This is interesting stuff.”
“I thought so, too.” She hung up her jacket and sat down at her desk. “There’s tons of information out there about paranormal activities. But if you take time to sort through it, you can narrow it down to the main points.”
“Well, you’ve done a fantastic job.” He told her about his visit to Whitley’s place, and his conversation with Arthur Simms. “I’m hoping we can both go to visit Molly Bishop.”
Bertie grinned. “Great! I’d love to meet someone who’s had a real paranormal experience.”
Harry tipped his head to one side and looked at her. “Do you think it’s real?”
“Well, I’m sure it was real to her.”
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