She nodded. He'd been yearning to move to the country.
“Georgia has a dream of opening her own salon. I'm going to propose to her that we get a place together.”
Marla stared at him. “Why, Goat, that's wonderful. I hope it works out for you both.”
“I need a favor. When she's here, call me by my real name, Kyle?”
“Sure, Goat. I mean, Kyle.”
Taken aback by his news, she and Spooks had just picked up their pace when the door next to her townhouse opened. Her elderly neighbor, Moss, waved a paper in the air.
“Marla, come here. I've written a poem for your wedding.”
She heaved a deep sigh. An hour alone, that's all I want. I love these guys, but I desperately need some space. Plastering a smile on her face, she took the paper from the man's extended hand. He tipped his customary naval cap at her with a grin.
“Thanks, Moss. Is it okay if I read it later? I need to get Spooks back inside. By the way, how's your wife doing?”
He stroked his white beard. “She has her good days and her bad days. We miss your company. It's going to be quiet without you around.”
She chuckled. “Believe me, that's a good thing.”
After Spooks did his business, Marla scurried inside. She'd see her neighbors at the wedding, but they wouldn't have these private moments anymore.
In the kitchen, she kicked off her shoes, released Spooks's leash, and gave him a treat. She listened to the news during dinner, wrote down a list of things to do tomorrow, then crawled into bed. Exhaustion took her into a world of troubling dreams.
She woke up the next morning eager to get a head start on her chores. As long as she had the principals from the wedding together later, she wanted to review the final details.
So it was that after they were seated in the country club restaurant, their plates laden with food, she broached the subject.
“We've turned our song list in to the DJ,” she said to her family. “He'll coordinate with the violinist we hired for the ceremony.”
“It would have been nicer if you'd gotten a live band.” Kate took a sip of water. “I told you we'd pay for it.”
“Thanks, Mom, but we wanted to keep things simple,” Dalton replied between bites of grilled salmon. “This guy is very good. You'll like him.”
“If you say so.”
“Tell us about the rehearsal dinner,” Marla said to her almost mother-in-law. She'd put Kate in charge so she wouldn't have any complaints.
“Yeah, what's the menu?” Roger bellowed. Shoveling a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth, he regarded the stiff couple across the table. John eyed him back, his disdainful gaze traveling over the older man's orange-colored sport coat.
Marla tuned them out, nudging Tally on her right. Dalton sat on her left, next to Brianna.
“What is it you wanted to tell me so urgently?” she said in an undertone. “I'm sorry we weren't able to get together separately, but things have been hectic.”
Tally's clear blue eyes captured hers. “You've probably guessed it, but I'm pregnant.”
Marla shrieked, throwing her arms around her friend. “Congratulations, I'm so happy for you.”
Ken, her husband, grinned proudly. “I told her it would happen when we least expected it.”
“No kidding. That's wonderful.” Marla's spirits lifted.
Tally shared the news around the table, to a round of congratulatory remarks.
“You'll need to convert one of your rooms into a nursery.” Dalton's eyes twinkled.
Ken stroked his jaw. “We've been thinking about getting a bigger place with the housing bargains out there.”
“Kate and John have been looking for a condo. They can probably refer you to their real estate agent if you're serious.” Dalton drank his coffee.
“That reminds me.” Kate tapped Marla's arm. “I asked our Realtor about those guys in Miami like you wanted me to? She said Kevin Rhodes's name rang a bell. He'd been mentioned in one of those newspaper articles about mortgage fraud.”
Marla and Dalton exchanged glances.
“Is that so?” Marla said. “Maybe I'll ask his uncle Eddy about that when Jill and I go to see him tomorrow.”
Dalton gazed at her askance. “What?”
“Jill begged me to go with her.” She could exaggerate a bit, right?
“Didn't you say you would step back from these extracurricular activities of yours?” His brows drew together like a line of storm clouds.
“Yes, but—”
“And don't we have a ton of things to do still?”
A wide smile cracked her face. “Indeed, we do, but I have it all under control.” Rummaging in her purse, she withdrew a sheaf of papers. “Let's run down the list. First off, the flowers.”
Reviewing the details took the heat off her and kept the peace through the rest of the meal. Dalton especially kept his mouth shut when she asked him about his case and his PI friend from up north.
“Did you tell the bus driver what time to pick up the guests at the hotel?” Marla asked her mother, concluding their discussion. Anita had taken charge of coordinating the out-of-towners and planning a postwedding brunch on Sunday.
Anita nodded, giving Kate a smirk. Marla hated how this seemed to be a competition between the two women but realized it was more of a big deal for them than for her and Dalton. They should've just gotten married in Vegas and been done with it. Or she should have hired a wedding planner and avoided this grief. Oh, well. This would be the last time she had to deal with her own nuptials.
Interviewing suspects took on a brighter prospect compared to family events. By the time Friday morning rolled around, she was actually looking forward to accompanying Jill to Miami.
“Hello, girls,” Eddy greeted them at his corner suite in a high-rise building overlooking Biscayne Bay. Surrounded in his office by impressive legal tomes, he patted down his suit, tailored to fit his ample form.
“Thanks for seeing us. I know you have a busy schedule.” Jill gave him a polite peck on the cheek.
In Marla's opinion, her friend looked worse than she had on Wednesday. Jill's hair was tossed about her head as though it hadn't seen a hair brush. She wore a smidgen of makeup that did little to hide her sallow complexion. Even her clothing, a pair of navy pants and a pale blue sweater, wasn't up to her usual style. This property issue must have been taking more of a toll on her than Marla realized, unless other factors were at play. Factors involving Rachel, perhaps? Marla sensed a connection between the two but couldn't fathom what it might be.
They seated themselves facing Eddy's wide mahogany desk. Marla's gaze roamed his framed photos, cherry wood pen case, silver desk clock, and other accouterments. She noted a bar in the back corner, too. Eddy's firm must do a bang-up job. He might be the lead attorney, but she saw other names listed on the door plaque. As their commercial real estate specialist, no doubt he landed some of their bigger clients.
“Scott says he can't afford to pay property taxes and liability insurance while we're waiting to get a tenant.” Jill twisted her hands in her lap.
Eddy's chair creaked as he leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. “Nonsense. According to the early termination clause with the oil lube company, they owe you a year's worth of rental payments. That'll carry you through with the taxes until we get a new tenant. Did Kevin tell you we have a bank interested?”
“He said a lot of things, including the fees you're probably going to charge us for overseeing the termination clause, the environmental cleanup, and a new lease.”
Eddy's double chin quivered as he smiled. “Of course, we'll give you a discount. And don't forget that any expenses you incur are tax deductible.”
“Scott wants to sell the property.”
“And what do you want, dear niece?”
“It's a tempting idea just to get rid of the aggravation, but even if we got a good market price, we could never invest the money to make the same income. Our corner locatio
n is ideal for traffic flow. I'd think a fast food place would do great there.”
“Excuse me,” Marla interrupted. “Wouldn't that require a drive-through? Does the zoning allow for it?”
Eddy shook his head. “Not presently. We'd pass that problem on to the new tenant, so it wouldn't trouble you,” he told his niece. “Or you could exchange your property for another of equal value with the proper zoning variance.”
“As in a land swap?” Jill flicked a spot of lint off her pants. “Kevin mentioned that idea to me. Torrie didn't approve.”
“It's just another possibility, that's all.” Eddy smoothed back some stray hairs on his receding forehead. “If you're looking for a buyer, Pete Schneider is interested. He'd give you a good price.”
“He's the real estate agent who tipped us off that the property had been vacated,” Jill reminded Marla.
“Right, and wasn't it Torrie who insisted on getting a new tenant rather than selling?” she replied, looking out for Jill's interests.
“Yes.” Bending her head, Jill covered her face with her hands. “I don't know what to do. It's so confusing.”
“Did you notify the tax office to send you the bills hereafter?” Marla said. “Have they been going to you or the tenant?”
“Who knows? Torrie took care of those details.”
“Scott should have access to her records. Ask him.” Marla leveled her glance at Eddy. “If you do find a new tenant, I'd think you could help with the clearances. After all, didn't you assist Falcon Oakwood get the proper approvals for his property?”
Eddy bristled. “That's different. This will require a traffic study. A new tenant has to hire an engineer and present his case to the city. He'll have to show that a drive-through would not obstruct traffic.”
“That's not what I meant.” Marla's mouth curved in a smile. “Jill's land must be contaminated from all that oil. You have ways of getting past environmental issues, yes? You did it for Orchid Isle.”
Eddy's face reddened. “Where did you hear that?”
“I believe it was in Torrie's files. It's awfully coincidental that she died the same weekend as your attraction's grand opening. Imagine if the public found out what she knew?”
He stared at her hotly for a few moments of silence. “I've been around a long time. I know who to contact to get things done. That's why an eminent developer like Falcon Oakwood would come to me.”
“If you say so.” She maintained eye contact, challenging him to admit his dealings were legit.
Jill glanced at Marla. “I really should go see Kevin as long as we're in town. I'm more inclined to agree with Torrie now. I don't want to sell. Marla, would you mind if we stopped by his office? It won't take long.”
Why not? I've already wasted half my day. “Sure, let's go.” They were getting nowhere with this interview.
“Did you draw up my new POA?” Jill addressed Eddy, while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yes, of course. You're in an awful rush.”
“I've just gotten married. I need to add Arnie's name to everything. The power of attorney is the most important. I can change my other documents later.”
Eddy called in two witnesses. Jill signed the form and took the original for herself.
“I'll file a copy,” Eddy told her. “Let me know when you're ready to amend your will.”
Jill swung her purse strap over her shoulder. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” She rose, and Marla followed suit while Eddy lumbered to his feet.
“Jill, a moment.”
Allowing them a modicum of privacy, Marla left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.
“Did you tell your new husband yet?” Eddy said in a low voice, while Marla lingered in the hallway to eavesdrop.
“No, and don't you say a word to him. We're doing fine and, hopefully, things will continue that way for a while. Arnie doesn't need to know at this point. Let us get settled first.”
“I beg to disagree. You realize Alexis and I have always been there for you, my dear, so heed our advice. What haunts you will come back to bite.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
* * *
Marla, hovering in the hallway, hastened toward the reception area when she heard footsteps approach from the other side of the door. Jill bustled into view, her expression grim. She signaled for Marla to follow her outside.
They made desultory small talk on their way to Kevin's office, a modest building on North Kendall Drive.
As they pulled into the parking lot, she glanced at her watch. It would take forty-five minutes to drive back to Palm Haven, where her first client was scheduled for one o'clock. Forget lunch and her promise to stop off at her mother's place. Again, she had become so wrapped up in Jill's affairs that she'd neglected her own. She must learn how to say no.
Kevin greeted them with such an effusive show of welcome that Marla doubted he was overjoyed by their presence. After ushering them inside his comfortable office, he sat behind his desk and folded his hands.
“So what brings you ladies to our part of town?”
“I hear you've been soliciting a bank for our property.” Jill smoothed her pants. “I'm thinking our site would be great for a fast food place.”
Kevin's longish face turned shrewd. “We have a nibble from a bank. There are a couple of problems, though. I just talked to Scott about them.”
Jill stiffened. “You called him, but you didn't notify me? What am I, chopped liver?”
Kevin's brow furrowed. “I meant to call you, but I remembered how insistent Torrie was on finding a new tenant. Since Scott will be in charge of her share, I thought I'd get his opinion first. I didn't want to come to you until I had something solid, with you being a newlywed and all.”
“Hereafter, don't be afraid to consult me. I may be ignorant about commercial property matters, but I'm a quick learner.” Jill lifted her nose. “Besides, I brought Marla along. She owns a duplex, so she understands this stuff.”
Oh, joy. Put it on my shoulders.
“The bank people are worried about the environmental fallout. They're also not willing to give in on the vault removal.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you would be responsible for getting rid of the vault should they terminate the lease.”
“Are you kidding?” Marla leaned forward. “Do you realize how heavy that thing must be? It could cost thousands.”
“You're right.” Kevin jabbed a finger in her direction. “Unfortunately, they're not willing to budge on the issue. They're also concerned it would take a while for you to get clearance from the environmental agency. According to your lease with the oil lube company, they're responsible for any remediation. The bank folks are skittish, though. I'd like to close the deal while we've still got them in our pocket.”
“Is there anyone else interested in the property?” Jill asked.
“A guy who owns a Quik Mart in Perrine. I think we can do better with the bank, though.”
“We've just been to see Jill's uncle Eddy,” Marla inserted. “He said there could be a problem with the zoning in terms of a drive-through.”
Kevin steepled his hands, regarding her from under a set of thick caterpillar brows. “We have two choices here. We could exchange the property for another of equal value with the proper variance. That's simplifying how it's done, but you get the idea. Or we could push for the tenant to assume responsibility for getting the zoning changed.”
“I'm not giving up my piece of land.” Jill folded her arms across her chest. “If the bank wants a drive-through, they'll have to get it approved.”
“Okay, then what about the vault?”
“I'll have to accept their terms, I suppose. Marla, any suggestions?”
Kevin's arguments sounded logical to her. “Not really. I think you're making a good choice.” She addressed Kevin. “Tell me, when Falcon Oakwood was looking for property on which to build his nature park, how did you come across that slab of land
?”
Kevin's mouth tightened. “We're a commercial real estate firm. We know what's available.”
“Wasn't there an environmental issue with his place, too? How did you resolve that one?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
Marla cocked her head. “I heard from a good source that his attraction was built on a toxic waste site.”
Kevin's eyes narrowed. “If there had been any dumping going on, it would have been cleaned up. His land had a clean bill of health.”
“I see. Maybe you could use the same leverage to clear Jill's land?” She held his gaze level with hers.
“Times have changed. Things are not so easy. Regulations have gotten a lot stricter.”
Or maybe the people you bribed aren't around anymore. “It's interesting how you and Eddy were both involved in that transaction. I understand Torrie had been looking into it through the archives at her magazine.”
Kevin bared his teeth. “Torrie had a bad habit of learning people's secrets. Whatever she knew went with her to the grave. It's my guess that's why she died.”
His words reverberated in Marla's ears all during the drive north. She attempted to draw Jill out, to get more answers, but her friend clammed up and kept silent. After thanking Marla for her company and promising to see her at the bachelorette party in two weeks, Jill dropped her off at work.
Annoyed that she'd wasted the morning and hadn't seemed to gain much in the way of information relevant to the case, Marla decided to focus on her own affairs from now on. Again.
Her one o'clock customer was already waiting when she walked into the day spa a few moments later. She'd checked in with Luis regarding the state of repairs, pleased to find he had everything in order. Their new furniture should arrive next week, and meanwhile, he'd diverted the work crew from her spa to finish the clean up in the salon.
Busy with her client, she barely heard the front door crack open later with a tinkle of chimes.
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