Page 78 of Rest In Pink

“Another shell company like Vermillion Inc. This one’s called ECOmena. Some lawyer with a briefcase just shows up, asks what Vermillion has offered, then tells them her client will match that in cash and the contract will not be contingent on the ferry. Leaves them with a card with just a phone number on it. Jerry Weiss didn’t even let her leave after I told him I was having nothing to do with Vermillion. He took her up on it on the spot.”

“Have you called the number?”

Ken shook his head. “She didn’t leave a card with me and I can’t be interfering. It wouldn’t be ethical.”

How he and Cash could be brothers was beyond me. I totally got him and Will as kin, good solid men, both of them. Patsy? Well, Patsy cut her own path but she, too, was honest and upfront. To a fault. I shook my head and changed the subject. “What about the old cardboard factory, that three-acre property? Who’s offered on that?”

“Nobody. I assume Cleve Blue left it to Lavender in his will, so Cash has it now. Why?”

“Why would someone torch it?”

“‘Torch it’? You mean it was arson like the museum and the Shady Rest?”

“Yeah.”

He took a deep breath as he thought. “I was surprised there was anything left to burn, to be honest. I took a walk through a couple of years ago with some thoughts of its business potential or maybe making apartments using the brick walls, roof steel, and foundation, which are in good shape. They built things to last then. But there was no potential for buyers, so I let it go. You think arson? Why? There's nothing to gain by doing that.” He looked at me. “Mickey Pitts?”

“Probably,” I said. “Could you please keep it on the down low?”

Ken nodded. “That I know how to do.”

“Look, I’m sorry if I caused family trouble about Kitty’s mortgages.”

Ken looked as grim as I’d ever seen him. “No, I’m glad I know. I am not letting my mother go under. Will’s asked Cash to meet us tonight at the garage to warn him about using family names. We needed to know he’s put Mom in trouble, too. Will is going to be mad, but Patsy’s going to sharpen a blade.”

I would not want to be Cash Porter at that meeting. “Let me know how I can help, Ken. In any way.”

“I appreciate that, Vince.”

He walked me to the outer office and the door. We went outside as the shops along main street began to open. Downtown Burney, such as it was, stretched six blocks on the other side of the road from the cardboard factory, and there were several storefronts that had been boarded over. Still, the place was clean and people smiled at you and let you move in front of them in traffic if needed. And some of them hugged, lots of hugs.

Ken’s assistant Elena pulled up, gave us both a cheery hello, and went inside to start pulling up the blinds. I saw the few other storefronts do the same, opening doors, turning on lights, setting stuff out on the sidewalk.

Burney was waking up.

Ken looked up and down the drag. He shook his head. “Burney. It gets under your skin, doesn’t it?”

Chapter Thirty-Five

At ten, I took Peri to her swim lesson. Crystal was there and broke into a big smile when she saw us. “I called Mr. Blake and he took me around the firehouse,” she said, almost bouncing with happiness. “I’m going back tonight to talk to Chief Olson. Mr. Blake is going to put me in his EMT class.” She took a deep breath. “I owe youso much.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I told her. “I did this as a favor for Mac. And now he’s going to take a boatload of teddy bears to thank me for sending you to him. It’s a win/win/win. Wins all the way down.” I grinned at her. “Congratulations. Knock ‘em dead.”

“Planning on it,” she said, beaming back and then she was distracted by somebody in the pool—“Kevin,I have warned you”— and I turned back to look at the glass door.

No Faye.

So far today was shaping up to be a good one.

I settled into a chair beside the pool and watched Peri do her mermaid thing, nodding at her and applauding when she said, “Watch this, Liz!” and dove into the pool and swam the long length of it, popping up at the end to beam at me.

“You’re amazing,” I yelled at her, and then looked to see Crys smiling at me. “You, too,” I said.

This part of Burney I could stand.

* * *

When we got to the car, my cell rang, and when I picked up, it was Margot.

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