The family couldn’t stop smiling as the man signed the papers. Andrew couldn’t remember his name, so he glanced briefly at the signature. “Thank you, Mr. Poe.” He stopped them as they walked out the door. “If you want to do work on the property, be sure to get a certificate from the city. No need for any of those nasty tickets.”
“Of course not.” Mr. Poe’s eyes dimmed.
Once outside, they began to talk amongst themselves. “We need the place restored to its former glory if this is to work.” Mr. Poe told them. His daughter, Gertie, spoke up. “Papa, won’t we attract unnecessary attention?”
“Do as I say, no questions asked. We will attract less attention if we have all of our paperwork in order, which means, we need to go to City Hall.” The Poes moved like ghosts down the street, and the air beneath their feet was cold as ice.