Page 25 of Walking the Edge

“Supposedly there have been some specification changes.” Lloyd knew everyone on the commission, and VIP Tours would surely get awarded the big bus business. “For one thing, if you want to adjust prices, this is your last chance.”

Cath tugged her four-leaf clover charm back and forth on the chain. If she didn’t go, would Crescent City Haunts be moved lower on the recommended list?

“I can’t go this morning.” She couldn’t even think of canceling her cemetery tour. Not when she needed every penny to pay her brother’s legal fees. “Thanks for the tip.” She smiled. “Nice seeing you.”

Benedetto followed her the twenty feet to her office door. “This is you?”

“Yes. No more street kiosk.” She rubbed her hand along the pull bar beneath the black letters spelling out her company name.

“Nice. Pretty small, though.”

“For now.” She turned to go inside, but Mitch had worked himself around and pushed the door open for her. She smiled a thank-you.

“If things don’t work out, remember you can always come back to work for us.” Lloyd shook hands with Mitch. She thrust out her own, forcing her old boss to shake hands instead of kiss.

Mitch followed her inside her office. “I take it you worked for him.”

“VIP Tours is the biggest operator in the city. I figured I would learn more from him than anyone else.”

“What? How to survive in a shark tank?”

“Among other things.”

“Well, hello there.” Her bookkeeper-slash-office manager pulled off reading glasses and fluffed her hair. “I’m Bea Harvey.”

“Mitch Guidry.” Mitch shook her hand. “My pleasure.”

Bea rolled her chair back. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I can make a fresh pot.”

“Please don’t bother.” He raised both hands.

“It’s no bother.” Bea stood.

“He’s already had some.” Cath dropped her purse on her desk. While the carpenter had secured her front door, she’d made coffee and breakfast for everyone.

Bea’s eyebrows shot halfway up her forehead.

“It’s a long story.” Cath sorted through the morning mail. Bea had given up the daily soaps to work for her, but she still craved any fresh gossip. “Not what you think.”

“I’d still like to hear it.” Her office manager winked at Mitch.

“Some other time.” Cath saw no notices from the tourist commission. “Bea, have we gotten anything recently about our convention bid?”

“No, why?”

“Someone mentioned a meeting today. Would you call later and find out what’s going on?”

Bea made a note.

Mitch stood near the coffee table in her guest area, flipping through a trade magazine. Ignore him. Cath walked to Bea’s desk. “How many customers do we have for the tour today?”

“You’ve got a full bus.”

“That’s good.” She peered over the older woman’s shoulder at the computer screen.

“Do you have me?” Mitch strode over. “I signed up this morning.”

Bea studied the list. “Yup. You’re all set.”

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