I'll Protect You (Clueless Resolutions Book 1) by W B Garalt Read Free Book Online Page B

silently.
    Maggie was not directly involved with the marketing efforts.  There were office sales meetings and regional association meetings that Maggie attended at times, but usually only when she was asked to coach the sales force on providing financial recommendations to owners who were delinquent on their mortgage payments or that were distressed in other ways whereby a forced sale was imminent.
    Although Maggie pretty much tended to her own responsibilities, she did wonder, from time to time, how many listings or sales Francine’s office staff actually produced, compared to the other offices in the East Wayford community.  The two saleswomen on the staff, Sheena Greene and Agatha “Aggie” Moran, were seldom very busy, it seemed.
    Maggie’s specialized activity produced many more listings, and there was minimal advertising cost involved, but these transactions provided much smaller fees to the brokerage.  Unlike the salespersons she was salaried, rather than on commissions.
    Although Maggie’s specialized expertise had become more in demand in recent years she doubted that she, herself, produced enough revenue to carry the office.
    “I won’t be finished till afternoon, call me on the cell if anyone needs me” she called out, to anyone who was listening.  With that, she left the office.
    Maggie was, as usual, punctual with the first inspection appointment with Max.  He arrived, uncharacteristically, ten minutes late this time.
    Maggie was at the open front door of a distressed residence which was financed for more than it was currently worth in the slow market scenario.  Stanley Realty had not been able to find a buyer and foreclosure was likely.
    “Rough night?” was Maggie’s greeting to Max as he walked to the entrance of the house.
    “I’ve had worse” Max quipped as they exchanged understanding glances. Then it was down–to-business time.
    Max reviewed the interior of the property and went outside to take measurements, pictures and make notes pertaining to conformance with zoning codes.
    “What’s next on the list?  Max asked Maggie when it was time to move on.
    “We have a small, three-unit commercial strip in the center of the village on 312 Oak Street. Two units are rented with solid leases and there is one office-style vacancy.
    “Francine had it listed but she doesn’t have the commercial property connections to move the property fast enough.  It should have sold, but the owner is in some type of financial bind and ran out of time. The lender has filed for foreclosure”. Maggie summarized.
    “If you can get us in and out before lunch, I’ll buy”. Max offered to Maggie.
    “You’re on, I’ll meet you there” she replied.
    Maggie showed Max through the two occupied units of the small strip type retail/office property and, as they were at the entrance to the vacant, third unit she stopped and turned.
    “I am really getting hungry. How are we doing for time?” she asked.
    Max, taking the bait, quipped; “If we keep on moving at this brisk pace we can have one of those nice, extended lunches.”  Smiling, Maggie unlocked the front entrance to the vacant office unit and pushed it open.
    “After you” said Max playfully, as he followed her into the dim interior.
    Max noticed a single-pole coat rack with an overcoat hanging on one hook and a tweed cap perched on top. Maggie had passed by it without paying attention.  With Maggie’s back to him, Max quietly laid the coat rack down on the floor and asked, “Is there a light switch here?”
    As Maggie turned toward him with a quizzical look, Max, with perfect timing, jumped back while pointing to the object on the floor and yelled “Holy Shit!”
    “Jesus!” Maggie gasped, as she backed away from what she thought, for a moment, was another dead body.
    Max broke out with a cackling laugh as he watched Maggie try to process her gullible naiveté at the obvious prank.
    “You bastard!” she blurted, “That’s nothing to screw