Page 48 of Dangerous December


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Stunned, she stared at him. Was the mancrazy?“I think you need to talk to Devlin.”

“I’m heading that way next. With luck, he’ll have enough business sense to see that I’m offering both of you a chance to escape the impossible stipulations of his mother’s will,andcome out of the deal with some good money.”

Stan’s smile reminded her of a smug, self-satisfied cat. “Good ‘business sense’ would mean turning boarders out onto the street?”

“That’s where they’ll be when they’re still jobless at the end of the six months. And that’s what welfare is for.” He lifted a shoulder. “I’m just trying to make it more expedient for everyone. You surely don’t have time for this nonsense, and I know Devlin wants to get back to the active duty. I’ll even make it worth your while financially, because I have some planning deadlines I need to meet before the first of the year.”

“You can’t be serious.”

He gave her a patronizing smile. “I never say anything I don’t mean, dear.”

“Interesting, because a moment ago you said that you love ‘quaint old buildings.’”

“I may enjoy touring them, but they are a financial liability. Heating and upkeep, versus maximum return per square foot—it all has to be considered.”

“Well, I say what I mean, too, and I gave my word to Dev and the lawyer, Mr. Murdock. Vivian wanted Dev and me to help the people living in Sloane House, not walk away because it would be more convenient.”

Again, he smiled, but now she saw what lay beneath his gentle facade—an irritated, shrewd man accustomed to getting his own way.

“It sounds like easy math to me. I can offer you each ten grand to walk. But if you stay the whole six months and fail to launch every last one of those has-beens, you’ll lose the building anyway.” He snorted. “Isn’t it better to have a guaranteed checkin your hand instead of desperately hoping that each one of the boarders can make the grade?”

His voice grated against nerves she didn’t even know she had. “I don’t want to discuss this any further.”

He narrowed his pale blue eyes on hers. “I’ll go talk to Devlin, but in the meantime, you need to think hard about my offer. I guarantee you’ll fail to meet the conditions of the will. Then the whole ball game will be mine—withouthaving to give the two of you a single dime.”

He turned on his heel and walked out, closing the door quietly behind him.

Beth sank against the counter, her knees weak and her pulse racing, thankful that the book club members had left before Stan started talking.

But what if he caught Dev at the wrong moment and played his cards just right? Surely Dev wouldn’t fall for it.

She hoped.

“Ms. Carrigan?”

The quiet, lightly accented voice came out of nowhere. Beth jerked away from the counter and stumbled back a step.

“I am so sorry,” Elana said, a hand at her mouth. “I thought you saw me come in.”

Beth hoped the woman hadn’t heard Stan’s harsh words. “Can I help you?”

“That man. He said everyone at Sloane House was a failure. No good.”

“He is a veryrudeman. And he was wrong.”

“I have been thinking about what you said. About the job here.” Her chin lifted, and her eyes sparkled with defiance. “I am tired of hiding in the shadows. That is why I came.”

“You’re willing to start working here?”

“Now, more than ever. It will give me more money for school and a better chance to become somebody, just as you said. That man thinks I am a failure, but I am going to prove him wrong.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Beth hugged her mother tight. For all of her worries beforehand, the visit had flown by. They had reconnected over lattes and treasure hunts throughout the local consignment stores whenever Beth had an afternoon free.

“I’m sorry you have to leave,” Beth whispered, giving her mother another hug. “Can you come back at Christmas?”

“I’ll try, if only for a few days. I’ll start checking on flights when I get home.” Again, a weary look crossed Maura’s expression...one of many over the past few weeks, yet she’d refused to say anything about it.