Page 31 of Heart of Stone
I watch her for another beat before I turn, heading out of the kitchen.
Time to focus. We’ve got a development company to deal with. I don’t have time to think about how the woman in my kitchen tastes.
Chapel’s already full when I walk in. Stone stands at the head of the table, maps spread out in front of him. The room quiets as I take my seat.
"Nice of you to join us," Stone says dryly. "Heard you were playing house."
There’s snickering around the table. I shoot Lee a look promising retribution.
"Got news," I say, ignoring the jabs. "Erica Olsen came by last night after everyone cleared out."
That sobered them up.
"And?" Stone leaned forward.
"Summit's pushing hard. Sent some guys around yesterday afternoon. Said there'd been complaints about her yard. Code violations." I pulled out the notice she'd shown me. "Giving her forty-eight hours to clean it up or they're fining her ten grand."
"Bullshit," Duck growled. "Her yard's perfect. She's got fucking prize-winning roses."
"Exactly." I spread out the paperwork. "Notice came from the city, but look at the letterhead."
Mack adjusted his glasses, studying it. "This isn't the usual department."
"Because it's not real," Lee said. "They're manufacturing violations now?"
"Getting bolder," Stone muttered. "What else?"
I grit my teeth. "Erica mentioned that three more houses in her street got notices this past week. All elderly residents. All prime locations for Summit's development plans."
"They're closing in," Axel said. "Creating a corridor just like you said."
Stone studies the map, his expression thunderous. “Lee?”
Lee leans forward. “Prospects and I made it into the construction office without any issues.” He pulls a sheet of paper from his pocket and tosses it on the table. “There’s your list. Fuckers aren’t even hiding it.”
The printout has a list of houses across town they’re targeting.
"Fuck.” Stone shakes his head. “Alright, tomorrow’s Monday. We start. Duck, offer Martha Wilson whatever she wants plus the opportunity to stay in her home for the rest of her life. Same for the others." Stone looks around the table, his gaze landing on Axel. "Axel, volunteer the prospects. Put the word out. Anyone in the area who gets a fucking fine or notice can call on us to help them with repairs, clearing, whatever they need.”
Axel nods solemnly.
Stone meets each of our eyes individually. “Anyone got a problem putting their cut toward this?"
Head shakes all around.
"Good." He turns to Lee. "Your crew ready?"
Lee's grin is all teeth. "Just say when."
"Tonight. I want those construction vehicles disabled before they can break ground."
"What about the utility company?" Tank asks.
"Working on it," Cash says. "My cousin's looking into it."
“Perfect.” Stone glances around again. “Alright. Let’s get to work.”
8
