Page 79 of Over the Edge

“Did my husband see this?”

“No. We hadn’t yet had an opportunity to discuss it.”

She perused the financial analysis sheet again, the creases on her brow deepening. “A steady increase in income stream may justify these kinds of expenditures. Are any of them urgent?”

“The infrastructure won’t fall apart tomorrow if no investments are made, but the mall is showing definite signs of age and wear. Image matters for retailers that want to attract higher-end customers.” He did his best to sound matter-of-fact rather than desperate.

“Hmm.” She slipped both of the sheets he’d offered into her project file. “Let me think about this. Is that all?”

“There’s one more factor to consider—the mix of properties we own. We’re already heavy in retail. If we want to maintain a diversified portfolio, we should think about bumping up our holdings in one of the other sectors. We have a reasonable amount of industrial and multifamily residential, but we’re light on office buildings.” He handed her his last sheet.

“I would think that would be a benefit, given the work-from-home trend spurred by Covid.” She gave the paper a cursory skim.

“If the trend continues. Many businesses prefer to have their people on-site.”

“Except in tight labor markets, employees have a great deal of power. I’m not hearing many of them clamoring to fight rush hour traffic or spend unproductive hours every week commuting. James and I had talked about that.” She cleared her throat, sniffing as she slid the last paper into the file. “I’ll take everything you’ve said into consideration. Thank you for your work on this.”

He was being dismissed, with no resolution to his dilemma and no clear indication of whether she shared her husband’s rabid interest in adding that particular strip mall to the company portfolio.

“If I can be of any other help, let me know.” He stood.

“I will.” Her cell began to vibrate on the desk, and she checked the screen. “I have to take this. It’s the detective handling James’s case.”

“I hope he has positive news.”

“He may. There’s been a development I want to discuss with him. Our chef has remembered a new detail. If you’ll excuse me.” She picked up her cell and gave him a pointed look.

He dipped his head and retreated, slowing his pace as he walked toward the door and cocking his ear in the direction of the desk. But her volume was too low for her words to be intelligible.

Nevertheless, this meeting had been bad news all around.

As far as he could tell, the arguments he’d put forth against the mall hadn’t persuaded her. And the witness was remembering more and more.

He scratched his arm as he walked back to his office.

Nolan wasn’t going to be happy about any of this.

Meaning it was very possible he’d have more unpleasant tasks to pass along to a certain CPA who was already in a very precarious position.

“THAT’SGREAT NEWS.”Phone to ear, Dara sat at her kitchen table, relief coursing through her at Lindsey’s news about the killer’s tattoo. “That should get Chad off the hook.”

“I hope so. I only got a quick peek, though. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more certain I am there was a mark of some kind on the person’s arm. I’m going to tell that to the detective too. How are you doing otherwise?”

“Better since you and I talked on Tuesday. We do all make mistakes, and Chad is sorry now he didn’t tell me about Pop. He’s also being more open, even though that’s hard for him.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You’ll be at class next week, right?”

“Yes.” The back door opened, and Chad stepped through. Dara smiled and lifted a hand in greeting.

“I won’t keep you. I’m sure you’re in the midst of dinner prep. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“Thanks for calling.”

As she pressed the end button, Chad shrugged out of his heavy work coat. “Smells good in here.”

“We’re having beef stew.” She crossed to him, and he wrapped her in his arms. “Ooh! Your fingers are cold!”

He tightened his grip. “You can help me warm them up later.”

---