Page 107 of Heating Up (Nugget)
“Will do.” He hung up, drank a cup of the coffee he’d made, and took a quick shower just to wake up.
He got to the firehouse in time to find the two McCreedy boys washing an engine with Kurtis. He waved and went inside to show his face before he joined them.
But that never happened because he and the others got called out on a Code 5, an assignment in another county up in flames.
* * *
Del Webber removed his Stetson as he strolled into Nugget Realty and Associates, took one look at the damage, and let out a whistle.
“I heard you had a fire but had no idea it . . .” He shook his head.
Dana was surprised to see him; they didn’t have an appointment. “It looks worse than it is.”
“Sorry to just pop in on you like this, but I was in the neighborhood.” He was based in Quincy, the county seat, forty-five minutes away. “You got a minute to talk?”
“Sure. Unfortunately, we no longer have a conference room.” The workmen were coming tomorrow to start the restoration. “You mind if we talk at my desk?”
“Not at all.” He did a visual turn around the room again.
Dana pulled up a wing chair for Del to sit in. “Carol is running late, so we’ve got some privacy. I’d offer you something to drink, but our kitchenette . . .”
“No worries. Is there an actual person involved in this T Corporation buying Ray’s ranch?”
“What do you mean?” She really didn’t know what he was getting at.
“Is someone from the corporation planning to live on the ranch?”
“Yes,” Dana said and left it at that. Del was renowned for his litigation skills; she didn’t want to go against one of his cross-examinations. “I’m bound by a confidentiality agreement, Del; please don’t ask me too much.”
“I’m not trying to ferret a name out of you. Frankly, I’m not all that interested. But Ray’s getting cold feet. That ranch has been in his family a long time. It’s his legacy and now he’s decided that his daughter, Raylene, should take it over. He wants out of the deal.”
It had always seemed too good to be true, Dana thought, feeling hugely disappointed. The worst part would be breaking the news to Gia. She was relying on the ranch to be her sanctuary, especially now that she’d lost her job. From the moment Gia had stepped foot on the property, she’d loved it.
“The T Corporation isn’t going to be happy about this. It may even sue.”
“That’s exactly what I told him.” Del toyed with the hat in his hands. “Not to mention that the man owes me and his other lawyers a lot of money. When I first agreed to represent him, Ray gave me the ranch as collateral. I’m not violating the attorney-client privilege by telling you this, because I’m just as much a part of this real estate deal as he is. But I’m not heartless, Dana. I’ll give him the opportunity to make good on his legal bills before I’ll sell that ranch out from under him.”
“Escrow is scheduled to close in less than three weeks.”
“I’ve given him two,” Del said. “How you decide to proceed with your buyers is up to you.”
“I’ll tell them the truth,” she said. “There are other ranches for sale and they may decide this one isn’t worth being at the whim of Ray Rosser. Or, like I said, they may take legal action. Ray may be my client, but he signed a contract and it’s my fiduciary duty to look out for the buyers in this instance.” She paused. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do for Ray. It’s commendable, but I would be negligent in not telling you that clients like the T Corporation don’t grow on trees. There isn’t a waiting list for multimillion-dollar properties in Nugget. If you lose this buyer, I don’t know when the next one will come along.”
“Message received,” he said. “You’re an excellent agent, Dana, and I’m sorry this puts you in a bad position. I’ll tell you this: your clients stick it out and I’ll lop fifty thousand off the price.”
It was generous, but it wouldn’t salve Gia’s aggravation as she sat on pins and needles over the next two weeks.
“I will let the T Corporation know,” she said.
“Thank you, Dana.” Del got to his feet, put on his hat, and walked out the door.
Dana leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and yelled, “Shit.” Now she had to make a very uncomfortable call and she didn’t want to do it . . . didn’t want to break Gia Treadwell’s already busted heart. She liked the woman, even thought they could be friends.
With no other choice, she dialed the phone.
“Dana?” Gia asked, picking up after the seventh ring. Dana was aware that Gia monitored her calls closely. Since her firing, reporters had begun to circle.
“It’s me and I’ve got some bad news.” She proceeded to tell Gia about the conversation she’d had with Del.
