A Fatal Chapter by Lorna Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

considered
murderer
to be among them.
    “No,” she lied. “What brings you to the Chamber this morning? Looking for Angelica?” she asked.
    The dig made him bristle. “Of course not. I’ve come with a fantastic offer you can’t afford to turn down.”
    So far he’d cornered her at the Bookshelf Diner, the convenience store, and even on her way to the ladies room at the Brookview Inn, and none of his offers to sell the building that housed her store had been in the ballpark of what she was willing to pay.
    “Bob, we’ve talked about this before.”
    “Yes, and I’ve taken your comments to heart. I’m willing to lower the price to a more comfortable level.”
    He handed her a slip of paper with a number written on it. It certainly wasn’t a number she felt comfortable with. She handed the paper back. “Sorry, there are a few too many zeroes here for me.”
    Bob picked up a pen from the desk and crossed out that number, wrote another, and handed the slip back to her.
    Tricia frowned and shook her head. “Still too high.”
    “That’s the lowest I’m willing to go.”
    “Then we won’t be making a deal.” Again she handed the paper back. “If you let me out of my lease, you could put a for-sale sign on the property today.”
    “Not a chance. According to the lease, it’s
your
responsibility to repair the building.”
    “And you know I can’t do that until the insurance comes through.”
    “Well, how soon is that going to be?”
    “I have no idea. It could be tomorrow—it could be six months from now. If you’re strapped for cash, why don’t you put another of your buildings up for sale?”
    “Who says I’m strapped?” Bob asked sharply.
    “No one,” she lied again. “But you seem to be in a hurry to round up some cash.”
    “I am not. The way the real estate market has recovered, I’m just looking to score big.”
    Well, he wasn’t going to score big with Tricia. Her lease still had over a year to go, and if they couldn’t come to an agreement, she was prepared to move. She’d hate to lose a prime Main Street storefront, but the way the village was expanding, she was sure she could still make a go of the business in a less desirable location.
    “Nigela Ricita Associates is primed to develop the north end of the village. Perhaps I’ll wait until they do and lease space from them. Or, I could just buy a property and develop it myself.”
    Bob looked horrified. “Why would you do that?”
    “Because I can. And then I’d have exactly what I want and wouldn’t have to worry about a landlord who constantly raised my rent. And, as you pointed out, with the real estate market’s recovery it would be a win-win situation.” Tricia looked thoughtful. “I think I’ll call Karen Johnson over at NRA Realty and see if she has a property I could look at.”
    “There’s nothing else on Main Street for sale,” Bob practically growled.
    “Perhaps nothing with Kelly Realty, but who knows what Karen has lined up? She’s only been here in the village six months and already has quite an inventory—and made plenty of sales.” Karen had done quite well signing Bob’s former clients, who seemed pleased with the deals she’d made for them.
    Bob stuffed the paper into his Kelly green sports jacket. “If you aren’t prepared to deal, then I’ll just find someone who is.”
    He’d just said he wouldn’t be able to sell the building in its present condition. Who did he figure would buy it?
    “It was lovely to see you, Bob. Did you know you’d let your Chamber membership lapse? I’d be glad to reinstate you right now if you’d like to write us a check.”
    “I don’t have my checkbook with me,” he said tersely.
    “Shall I send you a bill?”
    Bob’s mouth dropped open in indignation, but then he shut it. “Why not?”
    Tricia schooled her features so she wouldn’t laugh.
    “I’m a very busy man. I have to go,” Bob said, turned and left the office without a good-bye. Tricia was