Plot Thickens

Maintenance Guy was a no-show on putting the screen aright, so I went out onto the patio and fooled around with it until I got it back on track — somewhat. It didn’t close all the way.

My fix also didn’t last long because, when I opened the screen today to retrieve something from the patio storage area, down it went again.

Head Maintenance Guy doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to do much since he's without a boss now that the eye-candy high heels tight pants manager quit ... and seeing how many openings there are on Corporate’s website, it looks more likely she quit than was fired.

BTW … Mike, your request for a photo went unanswered because the comment went to spam and didn’t show up until two days ago. Otherwise, I’d have made an effort to get a photo of high heels tight pants for you. LOL.

Fortunately, heading out to pick up mail today, I saw Head Maintenance Guy out and about and jammed him up, nicely, about not responding to getting the screen back up. He said he’d drop by in a bit and actually did.

Rollers on the screen were broken. Instead of ordering a new screen, he’s following the Corporate byline (spend as little money on us as possible) — ordering replacement rollers rather than a new screen.

While I’m on the subject of Corporate, they must be the worst employer in the world because, looking at their job openings site, not only are they looking for a new manager for us, but managers for five other locations here in California, plus Assistant Managers. They are also seeking Managers and Assistant Managers for their senior complex locations outside of California.

How does Corporate manage to stay in business with such a high turnover?

That’s what they get for gobbling up this property and as many more as they’ve managed to swallow.

We were doing just fine with the people managing the place before Corporate took over.

On another note, I saw two different men go into the invalid lady’s unit yesterday ... at different times during the day.

The first man — I assume a relative, left with a suitcase, a backpack and other bags. So, I’m assuming the invalid lady has been moved out to live with family or has been placed in a care facility and he was taking these things to where she now is.

I didn’t see when the second guy left — probably also a relative or what he took, but neither man seemed to notice the black box/lock and, as far as I know, had no idea the unit had been entered.

Ordinarily, when a unit becomes vacant, things move rather quickly with a cleaning crew, carpet, paint. However, inasmuch as we don’t have a manager, who knows how long before we get a move-in from the waiting list.

The thing is ….. if and when we do get a new move-in, will the Marshals know whoever is living in the unit, if and when they return, is a new family, not associated with the previous occupant?

Am I going to be awakened some early AM by screams coming from a new resident at seeing flashlights in their face, their bed surrounded by uniformed officers?

As Dawn — over at Bohemian Valhalla commented about covert raids, "That’s how innocent people get killed while asleep in the privacy of their own Homes".

Also, as Dawn had commented, this being a senior complex, a 3:00 a.m. raid could have given invalid lady a heart attack. 

I can’t imagine what would have happened had she been in the unit the morning the Marshals arrived — unable to respond to their requests because of her condition.

I did manage to solve the mystery of how the Marshals got in without damaging the door.

They had a key.

I showed Trainer the photo I’d taken of the black box/lock and he said it’s a lock box — there’s a key inside.

So that’s how they got in … they had a key, but how did the Marshals get a key … who gave it to them … why do they need it … why have they kept it?

Google knows everything so I put in a search "Why would the us marshals have a key to your house?"

Google gave no direct answer to the question, other than to indicate that "Among their many duties, they apprehend more than half of all federal fugitives, protect the federal judiciary, operate the Witness Security Program".

Witness Security Program!!!!???? Now that’s a thought.

Taking advantage of Head Maintenance Guy being in my unit, I went for it.

He was on the patio, checking out the broken roller, so I pointed to the unit in question and asked straight out, "Is that unit being used as a safehouse? I saw the Marshals going in a little after 3:00 one morning".

He didn’t look as puzzled at my question as one would have expected. He also didn’t answer the question, just kind of mumbled.

"They have a key", I pushed. "A key that they keep in the lockbox on the left side of the patio".

He mumbled something about the office also keeps a lockbox in case of emergency, there's a need to get into the office.

"Yes, but this is a resident’s unit. Why would the Marshals have a key to one of our units?"

I got more mumbling and body language I read as uncomfortable with the conversation.

He knows something but needs this job so he’s not saying.

As of today, the lock box is still in place.

If Head Maintenance Guy mentions our conversation to whomever, and I get a knock on the door from the Marshals wanting to know what I know, that will tell me I've touched a nerve.

I can't be arrested for being observant, and I won't be punked like Talker was when that cop talked down to her in response to Karen's call about noise. Instead, I'll point out that if I did stumble upon some sort of covert operation, it was a bad idea to stage it in a senior complex, because us seniors are way too nosy for something like that to go unnoticed.