Page 120 of Burn It Down

Mr. Jenkins clasps my hand and smiles. “Hey, Dylan. Sure is.” He scans my face and makes that face people do when they’re thinking about something — like he’s sucking on his teeth. “You guys going to be able to keep up alright when the revitalization down here starts taking place?”

“Revitalization?” I repeat. This is news to me.

“Yeah, there’s a new brewery going in and an urban art gallery, I think. Won’t be long before the whole street looks different. Drawing in a different crowd.”

“Here? With all the increased crime?” I ask bewildered.

“Seems so. Best time to buy property is when people are desperate to unload it.”

I think about his words and look at my sister.

Motherfucker.

“Mr. Jenkins, if you’ll excuse me. I need to make a call.”

I practically run into the garage and dial Jake’s number. He doesn’t answer so I call him right back. It takes four calls, but eventually he picks up the phone.

“Dyl, everything okay? I was in a—”

“Jake, I think you were right. I think Martin Cosey is behind the vandalism attacks. At least, his money is.”

“What makes you so sure? I scoured those real estate deals, Dyl. Nothing was out of place. Hell, he even offered slightly above asking price.”

I tell him about the conversation I just had with Rick Jenkins and the words he just said.

“Think about it. Martin wanted that condo complex, but he couldn’t comfortably afford itandthe construction on the shopping center after so many recent purchases. So, he’s somehow increasing the crime rate over here, dropping our property values, gobbling up what hits the market and before long, he’ll own the whole street for pennies on the dollar. Then he can turn this street into whatever he was going to do with the other place. Hell, he’s already leased Betty and Carl’s place out to a brewery.”

Jake stays silent so long I have to say his name to make sure the call is still connected.

“Yeah, I’m here. Do me a favor and don’t mention this to anyone else just yet. If you’re right, this could involve a lot of corrupt city officials and unfortunately, I’ve recently pissed off the most powerful of them all.”

“Yeah, okay.”

We end the call and as much as I want to tell my dad what I’ve just discovered, I keep my mouth shut, except now I don’tknow what to do. If there’s any chance we don’t have to sell the shop after all, then putting shit in boxes doesn’t make sense.

Cassie helps me out when she comes into the office with Mr. Jenkins’ keys and a tag that has the requested services listed. Placing them in my hand she quirks a brow.

“What are you thinking?” She cocks a hip like she’s ready to do battle.

“I’m thinking some seriously shady shit is going on.”

“Same. I assume you talked to Jake already?”

“You assume correctly. I just got off the phone with him. He asked us to keep this information to ourselves for now.”

“You don’t think…” she starts, but I cut her off angrily.

“Cassie, don’t even say it. I don’t know if getting involved with Jake is what dragged us into this mess or if getting involved with him is the only reason we might survive it, but either way, he’s not responsible for the shit that’s been going on. Iknowhim.”

“I want to believe you, but the timing is a little suspicious and coming out with you would be a really good way to make himself appear innocent.”

I won’t doubt him.Cassie’s always been protective of me —overprotective of me — but this is too much.

“Cass, I love you, but you’re wrong. I need to keep my hands busy while I process this and Jake’s on at the fire station tonight. Why don’t you close the office and head home? I won’t be too long.”

Knowing she’s set me on edge, she wraps her arms around my waist.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I just don’t want you to be blinded by love.”

---