Chapter 8: Changing the Locks
A sharp knock at the front door broke Leo’s concentration just as he was examining the worn-out deadbolt. He opened it to find Marcus, an older acquaintance from the auto shop who moonlighted as a handyman, holding a toolbox in one hand. "Morning, Leo. Heard you needed some quick security updates over here," Marcus said with a friendly nod. "Yeah, appreciate you coming by on short notice, Marcus. Let's get these cylinders swapped out right away," Leo replied, stepping aside to let him enter. Buster gave Marcus a thorough sniff before deciding the handyman posed no threat and wandering back to his spot near the stairs.
As Marcus set to work with his screwdrivers and drill, Leo explained the situation in measured, factual tones, omitting the dramatic details out of respect for Maya's privacy, but making it clear that the previous tenant was no longer welcome. Marcus nodded understandingly, having seen his fair share of troubled domestic situations over the years. "Smart move, kid. You can't have loose cannons wandering around when there's a newborn on the way. Peace of mind is worth every penny," Marcus remarked, pulling out the old brass lock cylinder and tossing it into his metal toolbox with a sharp clatter.
The sound felt symbolic—the final severing of ties with Derek. Within twenty minutes, the new deadbolt was installed, tested, and locked securely from the inside. Marcus handed Leo a fresh set of shiny brass keys. "There you go. Pick-resistant and solid. Nobody's getting through this without a crowbar," Marcus said, wiping his hands on a rag. Leo paid him in cash, adding a little extra for the prompt service, and walked him to the door. Standing on the porch, Leo locked the new deadbolt from the outside, listening to the satisfying, heavy click of the mechanism. The house was finally secure. Now he just needed to go back to the hospital, pick up Maya, and bring her home to a place where she could finally breathe easy.
