Moving In (Roxie)

[the_next_avenger]

The night after their discussion, Joe followed Roxie's instructions to get into the building and headed upstairs to the apartment to check it out. He politely declined the doorman's offer of assistance as he didn't want to frighten the poor guy with the weight of his bags or their contents. Between all the clothing and weapons, Joe knew Uncomfortable Questions might be asked so he avoid the whole situation by carrying his own things.

 

Once he got through the door, Joe turned on some lights and checked the place out. Roxie had really good taste; the place was furnished much better than the places he'd been in the last few years. He didn't even see any rats scurrying once the lights were on. The cleanliness of the place made him realize just what kind of dumps he'd been inflicting on himself since he left Colorado Springs.

He sought the nearest empty bedroom and found it, sitting his bags down and taking off his coat.  He was about to figure out what he'd sleep on when he remembered something about a rooftop garden. Now, he had to see it.

He found the access to the rooftop and stepped out, looking around at the place. Whatever he'd expected this place to be, this was so much more. Joe simply walked around a bit, getting an idea of the space. He could put a heavy bag right over there, in the corner, if Roxie didn't mind...

for a moment, Joe let all of his worries and trepidations about the world fall away and he stood near the edge of the building with his head titled back, eyes closed and just enjoyed the sounds of New York by night.

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[the_next_avenger]

Joe caught the knife and inspected it, pulling it from the sheath. The quality and craftsmanship were exquisite. Joe had seen a lot of knives in the last few years and this one beat them all, hands-down.

He was about to tell Roxie exactly that when the knock came from the door.

When Roxie opened it, the doorman stood there with an odd expression on his face.

"Hi, Miss Danvers. I think someone's watching the building...they've been circling the block. Today. Three times. They came while you were gone...with a message..." he said, finally, before collapsing in the door way, face-first.

Roxie would see the knife in the doorman's back as he went down.