“Then?”
“I want coffee.”
“There is coffee upstairs.”
“Better coffee downstairs.”
There was not.
Eleanor simply liked observing buildings from the level where executives stopped looking.
Near the service corridor, a security supervisor was speaking sharply to a delivery worker.
“Back entrance.”
The young woman wore a navy jacket with red piping.
Eleanor stopped.
Maya.
She recognized her from Alex’s unnecessarily detailed description.
Maya was holding three packages.
The security supervisor pointed.
“This lobby is for employees and visitors.”
Maya remained calm.
“I came through the service entrance.”
“It was locked.”
“Then wait until somebody opens it.”
“I called.”
“No one answered.”
“Not my problem.”
Maya shifted the packages.
“I’m happy to use the correct entrance.”
“Just don’t speak to me like I’m trespassing because I’m wearing a delivery jacket.”
The supervisor stiffened.
Eleanor watched.
Maya continued, still calm.
“Rules deserve respect.”
“So do people.”
“My uniform tells you what I’m doing today.”
“Not who I am.”
Eleanor’s eyebrows lifted.
The supervisor opened his mouth.
Eleanor tapped cane once.
He turned.
“Mrs. Harper.”
His face changed immediately.
Maya noticed.
Eleanor smiled sweetly.
“Problem?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then perhaps help her with the packages.”
The man immediately stepped forward.
Maya shook her head.
“I’ve got them.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“Could you help an old woman instead?”
Maya smiled.
“With what?”
“Finding coffee.”
Margaret nearly groaned.
Maya shifted two boxes under one arm.
“Sure.”
“You’re working.”
“I have eight minutes before the delivery window closes.”
Eleanor began walking.
“Seven now.”
Maya laughed.
They crossed the lobby.
Eleanor deliberately walked more slowly than necessary.
At the coffee stand, she pretended not to understand mobile payment.
Maya helped.
Then Eleanor “accidentally” dropped a glove.
Maya picked it up.
Then a folder.
Maya picked that up too.
Finally Margaret leaned over.
“If you drop your cane, I’m quitting.”
Eleanor whispered:
“Don’t ruin research.”
Maya heard.
“What research?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Old age.”
Maya looked suspicious.
Then her phone buzzed.
“I have to deliver these.”
“Of course.”
Maya turned.
Eleanor called after her.
“Dear?”
Maya looked back.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Stopping.”
Maya shrugged.
“Helping someone only takes a few minutes.”
“Packages can wait.”
“People shouldn’t.”
Then she left.
Eleanor watched.
Margaret said:
“Absolutely not.”
Eleanor smiled.
“I didn't say anything.”
“You are thinking loudly.”
Eleanor went upstairs.
Alex was in a meeting.
She entered anyway.
He looked up from twelve executives.