We walked toward the building office, a converted storage room tucked awkwardly behind humming laundry machines, where Mr. Pritchard glanced upward with habitual irritation sharpened by years of tenant complaints.
“Your rent remains overdue,” he declared without greeting.
“I acknowledge that reality,” I replied steadily.
His eyes shifted toward Adrian.
“And who exactly accompanies you today?”
“A temporary resident consultant,” Adrian answered smoothly. “I requested permission to evaluate unresolved maintenance deficiencies affecting tenant safety.”
Mr. Pritchard snorted dismissively.
“This building operates without significant issues.”
Adrian’s tone remained even, almost conversational.
“The rear stairwell lighting has failed completely, hallway handrails exhibit structural looseness on the third floor, the dryer ventilation system presents a measurable fire hazard through severe obstruction, and apartment 3C’s entry frame remained misaligned for months.”
Mr. Pritchard’s face tightened visibly.
“Who supplied you with that information?”
“The building itself revealed those conditions through direct observation.”
I felt my stomach plunge as tension thickened between them.