Hans and Greta seemed like perfect tenants—kind, responsible, and full of fascinating stories from their life in the Netherlands. But when they suddenly left, their hasty departure and strange behavior left me wondering what they were hiding in the apartment.

I met Hans and Greta on a rainy Tuesday. The apartment was in a sorry state due to a water leak. Despite the bare concrete floors, they weren’t fazed. Hans chuckled, “Looks like a blank canvas, doesn’t it, Greta?”

They insisted on handling the flooring themselves, and I agreed to cover the costs. Over the next year, they were ideal tenants, always paying rent on time and keeping the apartment spotless. They frequently invited me for tea, sharing stories of their past.

But near the end of the year, their behavior changed. They hurriedly packed and suddenly left. When I inspected the apartment, the new flooring was gone, leaving bare concrete. Hans later explained it was a Dutch custom to take the floor when moving out. Their rushed departure was due to a family emergency.