Catharine Bramkamp - Real Estate Diva 02 - Time Is of the Essence
Page 23
“Really?” I tried to suppress the happy lilt from my tone.
“Did you have anything to do with it?” Inez asked suspiciously.
“Me? I wasn’t even in town. Plus I gave the girl countless pieces of information, all at inconvenient times, for me. Maybe we should make it an office policy to hand out a GPS to all new agents.”
Inez paused. “That’s not a bad idea.”
My phone clicked. There was someone on the other line.
“Gotta go. Thanks for the update.”
“Did Bixby mention where he was heading after the house sold?” It was Jill Christopher. I thought she should pray about it, but I didn’t say that out loud. I’m a better woman than that.
“I have not spoken with him at all.”
“You don’t know where he is?” She asked.
“Mourning his wife who was accidentally locked in the hot tub?” I said.
“We don’t know that for sure. We’ll just have to pray for her.”
“You do that, I take it we have enough signatures for my clients to get their house?”
“Our escrow officer is taking care of those details.” Jill replied sanctimoniously. “But don’t worry, the deal closed.”
“Plus a new hot tub?”
She sighed. “Plus a new hot tub. Your clients can pick it out.”
“Good.” Mathew had wired $100,000 to an off-shore account, it stands to reason that Bixby could have done the same. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he drowned his wife. But he was not anywhere to be found. I suppose it wasn’t my problem anymore.
“Your check will be at your office tomorrow.” Jill was formal and professional.
“Thank you.”
I was about to set down the phone. I heard Prue bidding George Schmidt goodbye in the front hall.
My phone buzzed again. It was Carrie.
“I chose Patrick.” She announced.
“You chose him over the cats.” I summarized.
A heavy sigh blasted over her phone to my ears. “Yes, yes I did. And I quit the Forgotten Felines.”
“You can still work at the Homeless Prevention League or shelter or something.” I said encouragingly. Oh sure, I’m great with other people’s compromises, just not my own.
“I know.”
“Are you sorry?”
I waited. Was she sorry? The cat rescue persona was a big part of her, to give it up, just for a man, was a big deal. At least I thought so.
“I love him, and this was too much of a conflict – it was in the way.” She said it with the finality of a woman in love. With the finality of death. I wish I could be more positive.
“Well, love.” I didn’t have a real answer for her.
“When are you coming home?” She asked.
Grandma marched into the kitchen with her entourage trailing behind like a parade. Peter headed for the refrigerator and retrieved the Cosmo mix. Pat pulled down the vodka and glasses. Ben sank into a chair and rubbed his face.
“Don’t do that, you may be covered with poison oak.” I whispered.
“Not on my hands.” He whispered back.
“Soon.” I said to Carrie. “I think I’ve had enough relaxation.”
“There needs to be a recall.” Prue said clearly as I clicked off my phone.
Peter handed her the pink drink.
“And I intend to replace at least one of those bastards myself.” Grandma announced. She toasted with her glass.
“Here. Here.” Pat and Mike and Peter toasted as well.
“Grandpa would be proud.”
“You keep that boy.” Grandma said, nodding towards Ben. “Or I’ll make you move here full time and help me.”
With a threat like that, I had little choice.
I exhaled on long slow breath and counted, 10.