We walked to the building office behind the humming laundry machines. Mr. Pritchard looked up, already irritated.

“Your rent is overdue.”

“I’m aware,” I said evenly.

He eyed Adrian. “And you are?”

“A temporary consultant,” Adrian replied smoothly. “I’d like to address several unresolved maintenance issues affecting tenant safety.”

Mr. Pritchard scoffed. “There are no major issues.”

“The rear stairwell light has failed. Third-floor handrails are unstable. The dryer vent is dangerously clogged. Apartment 3C’s door frame was misaligned for months,” Adrian said calmly.

Mr. Pritchard stiffened. “Who told you that?”

“The building did.”

Silence stretched.

“I can fix everything in one day,” Adrian continued, “in exchange for thirty additional days for Ms. Bennett to catch up on rent. Written agreement.”

Mr. Pritchard hesitated. “And why would I agree?”

“Insurance liability. Fire risk. Code violations. Documentation,” Adrian answered evenly.

After a long pause, Mr. Pritchard muttered, “Thirty days.”

Adrian handed him a handwritten agreement he’d prepared the night before.

It was signed within minutes.

By evening, the stairwell light worked. The railings were secure. The dryer vent was cleared. My outlet cover no longer hung loose.

Later, Adrian placed a folder on the table.

“My disability claim file,” he said. “I’m reopening it Monday.”

“Why tell me?”