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ordeal.”
    “Sounds like it,” said Isabel. “It’s lucky there aren’t any here.”
    “As far as you know,” said Chloe. “But you might want to investigate. Especially in that back bedroom—the one with the bay window and the crawl space—”
    “There’s no crawl space there—just a door that’s been sealed shut for years,” Isabel said, interrupting.
    “I know,” said Chloe. “But I’m telling you, that’s where I heard the noise. Maybe some mice got in.”
    “Impossible! That wall is solid. And if this is an attempt to withhold your rent, I’ll have you know that you’re paying well below the market rate because you’re a fellow artist. This building has a long tradition of housing creative types. Did I ever tell you about Al Flosso, the Coney Island Fakir?”
    “You mean Brooklyn’s most amazing and underrated magician?” Chloe asked.
    “You’ve heard of him?” Isabel asked, excited.
    “Yes,” said Chloe. “From you.”
    “He built this grand residence,” Isabel went on, sweeping one crutch through the air with dramatic flair. “Was trained by Houdini within these walls. If only he hadn’t made such an unfortunate choice of a stage name. Houdini—now that’s a memorable name. But Al Flosso, the Fakir? At best, it’s laughable. And at worst, forgettable.”
    “I know, I know,” Chloe said tiredly, like she’d heard it all before. (And I knew precisely how she felt.) “But this problem is only going to get worse if you don’t address it now.”
    “Maybe it was Glen,” Isabel said. “He can be loud and clumsy.”
    Glen lives on the third floor. He’s tall and skinny with a shaved head, and Isabel’s right. He’s always dropping things. And lugging his clunky bike up and down the stairs. Glen is a bike messenger/guitar player who gives music lessons out of his apartment—another noisy venture.
    “It wasn’t Glen,” said Chloe. “Not unless his students happen to be rodents.”
    Isabel frowned. “Well, that wouldn’t make any sense. I hardly think any rodent could afford his rate. Not to mention hold a guitar. They don’t have opposable thumbs, you know.”
    “That’s not what I … ” Chloe stopped herself and took a deep breath. “Look, would you please call an exterminator? Or at least set some traps?”
    “I’ll look into it,” said Isabel. “But really, dear, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m sure this is all in your pretty little head and whatever you heard won’t be back.”
    Chloe blinked curiously. “Okay, but I don’t know how you can sound so sure … ”
    Isabel stood as tall as she could while also leaning on crutches. “I’m quite confident that in the twenty-five years I’ve lived here, these walls have seen a lot of things, but mice are not among them. Now, did I ever tell you about the time I starred in a show opposite Nathan Lane? He once—”
    “Yeah, you did,” said Chloe as she headed for the door. “And it’s a fascinating story. More fascinating every time I hear it. I wish I had time now, but I really need to run. See ya, Maggie.”
    “’Bye!” I waved.
    Once Chloe was gone, Isabel turned to me and said, “Mice! Can you imagine?”
    I shivered involuntarily. I didn’t want to be the type of girl who got queasy in the face of mice, but I couldn’t help it. The icky creatures creeped me out! So I changed the subject. “What did you lose this time?” I asked, pointing to the mess.
    Isabel said, “Nothing. I’m just doing a little spring cleaning.”
    “It’s almost October.”
    “Never too early to get started. Or too late, depending on how you look at things. Now where was I? Oh, yes. Nathan Lane.”
    “So you found the ring yesterday. Right?” I asked to distract her, but I also wanted to make sure.
    Isabel scrunched up her nose. “I did. Thank you for bringing it back, Maggie. I’m so grateful. You really have a gift, you know? Luckily, the ring is undamaged and I now know that