Page 40 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes

“As I was saying, I believe this is everything your firm asked for,” Lamarka told the group.

“All of our records are in order. What you see here are our current plans for renovating Perry’s Pier and a significant portion of the adjacent boardwalk properties.

With your investment, it could become the greatest, most exclusive beach front resort on the east coast.”

“Super,” the bow-tie wearing man gushed. “We’re thrilled about this partnership and bringing a little wholesome family fun to the shore. Once our lawyers verify everything, we’ll be able to work out more details.”

Candace tried not to be obvious as she strained to see everything she could of the documents before they were shuffled away into a manila folder. Her heart dropped.

“The permits,” she murmured, “you already have them?”

Somehow, Uncle Perry already had the official building plans stamped and approved.

Bagel Bombs! , along with the entire building on that section of the Wonderwood boardwalk, was slated for demolition.

In its place, he wanted to build a behemoth resort that would make Mar-a-Lago look humble.

So much of their hard work was going to be for nothing.

Uncle Perry seemed to enjoy watching the realization hit Candace. Leaning back in his kingly leather chair, he said with a smug tilt, “It helps to have friends move things along. Wonderwood officials know not to stand in the way of progress.”

“What about your renters? They have multi-year lease agreements. You can’t—”

“I can and will. Agreements change all the time, especially with something as trivial as this. It’s business, Candy.”

“But you said Daisy—”

“Screw the DeMarco girl! She can stay if she wants, but that building is coming down.”

Rage made Candace clench her teeth so hard she feared they would crack. Was this really it? After everything they had been through, Bagel Bombs! was finished by her uncle’s whim?

Across the table, the lone woman of the group (who, to Candace’s annoyance, was wearing a duplicate of her cherished seafoam suit) leafed through the papers. She seemed like the analytical type, doing most of the work for her peers.

“DeMarco?” She asked, looking at one particular document, “As in the original owners of the property?”

“Erm, yes,” Uncle Perry replied. “Their daughter still rents a unit from me.”

“A bit cruel to evict her, but it can’t be helped. Beachfront real estate is prime property, and it looks like you snagged this for a song after the ‘08 recession. How unlucky. I’d never speak to my parents again if they’d lost such a valuable investment.”

Candace felt the floor drop out from under her. Was she understanding that right? Her uncle had bought the land and the Bagel Bombs! building from Daisy’s parents? He got some kind of deal?

Did Daisy know?

Uncle Perry twisted the ring on his finger as his dark gaze met Candace’s. There was a warning, there, but also the trace of unease. He was nervous. Beside him, Lamarka smiled with an edge as he moved the conversation forward.

“One person’s loss is another’s opportunity. And here, Mr. Perry and I see a great opportunity for Wonderwood. Why don’t we discuss some logistics? Candy… Make us some coffee.”

When she hesitated to move, her uncle barked her name again. “Don’t be difficult in front of guests.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” bowtie-boy eased. “We’re just about partners here. You take your time, sweetheart.”

Stumbling from her seat, Candace went to the far less opulent kitchenette down the hall.

Her hands auto-piloted making a pot, which she dolled out like the good little niece Uncle Perry expected her to be.

All the while, warning bells screamed inside.

She had finally found a thread to pull on that might lead to her uncle’s misdeeds, one that would lead right back to Daisy.

How much pain had the Perry name inflicted on that poor woman?

Candace needed to learn more. She kept her focus despite wanting to flip the table over. Halfway through that pot of coffee and an hour into the meeting, Candace’s phone rang inside her purse. She silenced it without looking.

It rang again. And again. Ignoring the glares, she took a covert peek at the screen.

Daisy .

While the phone continued to ring in her hand, Uncle Perry asked, “Don’t your friends know better than to call when you’re in a meeting?”

Candace stared at the screen. Something was wrong; she could feel it.

Deadpan, Candace lied, “It’s my gynecologist. I need to take this.”

Without waiting for a response, Candace lightning-stepped outside onto the busy main street. She apologized as soon as the call connected, saying, “I’m sorry! I was stuck in a meeting, are you—?”

Daisy’s sob made her freeze in the middle of the sidewalk. People looked annoyed as they went around her, but she did not care.

“Daisy, what happened? Where are you?”

Broken and watery, she replied, “I’m… I’m at my house. It’s Norman, he’s—” She cut off, letting out a stuttering exhale. “Please, just get here. I need you.”

Candace was already halfway to her car.