An intriguing enigma plays out atop a residence housing four flats. An unknown person is burglarizing their living spaces, and they are intent on discovering the burglar’s identity. Suspicions initially point to a recently arrived tenant, yet is he the true perpetrator? As anxiety mounts, the locals unveil the actual malefactor and their motives.
Camilla perched atop the roof, awaiting her fellow residents. Their complex comprised merely four units, fostering close ties among the occupants.
Her gaze wandered across the terrace adorned with container plants and worn seating, recalling numerous past gatherings for communal meals and conversations.
The access door swung open, revealing Richard and Olivia, a couple from the floor beneath Camilla. “Seems we’re the early ones?” Richard questioned, surveying the desolate rooftop.
“Been here alone for a spell,” replied Camilla.
The pair joined Camilla, settling into adjacent seats. “Regrettable we needed to summon this assembly,” Olivia commented, her tone disheartened.
“Our own homes no longer feel secure,” added Richard, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.
“Someone took my fresh groceries right from the refrigerator this week,” Camilla disclosed.
Olivia’s expression darkened. “Our essentials like laundry soap and shower gel vanished. Hard to fathom someone stooping so low for such basic items.”
“It’s absurd. We’ve been targeted for thefts over the past month,” Camilla declared, her voice resolute. “I hoped it would cease, but after cash started missing from my purse, I felt compelled to call this meeting.”
“This was your initiative?” inquired Richard. Camilla nodded. “Admirable. We can’t tolerate such chaos here.”
Leaning in, Olivia whispered, “Our new neighbor might be responsible. What’s his name again?”
“Scott,” murmured Camilla.
“Right, Scott,” Olivia confirmed with a nod. “These thefts coincided with his arrival. He’s your across-the-hall neighbor, noticed anything unusual?”
“He keeps to himself, barely a greeting, and his routine involves leaving early and returning late. His flat is always quiet,” Camilla noted.
“That’s probably when he’s invading our homes while we’re out, undetected,” Richard speculated.
“I suspect the same,” agreed Olivia. “He appears quite youthful. Youth often comes with financial and ethical shortages.”
“Perhaps he’s a student, struggling even for groceries,” Camilla suggested.
“We’ve all been students, yet none resorted to theft,” countered Richard dismissively.
Reflecting on her own past, Camilla, who had never experienced student life and understood the challenge of affording essentials, merely responded, “Perhaps you’re right.”
Just then, Mrs. Smith, another resident, slowly emerged onto the roof. Aging had marked her deeply, each wrinkle narrating a slice of her extensive life story.
“My dears, apologies for the delay, but stairs prove challenging at my age,” she explained. Mrs. Smith’s home was directly opposite Olivia and Richard on the ground floor.
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