Page 20 of Dangerous December (Northern Pines Suspense #8)

“Long-term? Or might it become available sometime?”

“Long-term.”

“Well, I’ll bet it’s just as charming as your store.” He glanced around. “Are there books downstairs, as well?”

“Just storage.”

He nodded in obvious satisfaction. “Beautiful old building. Beautiful. I like the old-fashioned bay windows facing the street, and how you’ve decorated them in such a quaint, appealing way. I’m sure this store draws plenty of tourists down to Hawthorne.”

He seemed more interested in the building than the books, but Agate Creek did draw a lot of people who came to soak up the Victorian flavor of the town and prowl its dozens of antiques shops.

He strolled through the store again, eyeing the crown moldings and pressed tin ceilings, a smile curving his thick lips. “I haven’t been inside until now. It used to be a dentist’s office, you know. And before that, a milliner’s shop. Beautiful views of Agate Creek and the bluffs, out back.”

She eyed him closely. “How did you know that?”

He ducked his head modestly. “Research. I toured the other buildings along this part of Hawthorne Avenue earlier this morning.”

“Why?”

He took a business card from his suit jacket pocket and handed it to her. “I’m here this weekend from St. Paul to check out a few things about the Sloane property.”

She stared at the card. “You’re Stan Murdock?”

“That’s right—Devlin Sloane’s uncle.” The man smiled beneficently, though his inquisitive gaze continued to roam the store. “He’s a fine, fine boy. Is he around, by any chance? Might I be able to see the rest of the building?”

“Devlin doesn’t work here. And the basement is just that—stone walls, rather damp in places, and only used for storage.”

“I’ll bet the upstairs is positively charming.”

“It is.”

“Would you mind letting me see it? I so love these quaint old buildings.”

He was fishing for permission, but the thought of him snooping through her things up there made Beth’s skin crawl.

“No. I’m sorry, but there isn’t really anything up there for you to see. Nor will there be.”

“I was married to Vivian’s sister, and I’m named in the will. Are you aware of that?”

“Yes, but—”

“Look, I never understood it, but Vivian had her fun trying to help charity cases. If those people weren’t able to get on their feet before she took them in, it’s unlikely that any of them can do it now. Those losers are just marking time, while enjoying cheap rent.”

“That’s not true.”

“Maybe you still think you can hang on to this building. But face the facts—you’re simply delaying the inevitable,” he said gently.

“Those people are enjoying themselves at your expense, because they’ll still be sitting in that boarding house when the deadline is long past.. .. and they won’t even care.”

“I don’t agree with that, either.”

“It isn’t realistic to assume they’ll ever be able to find ‘careers.’ You could save yourself a lot of trouble by relinquishing your rights and walking away.”

Stunned, she stared at him. Was the man crazy? “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, and come 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 check in 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— without having 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 very rude man. 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.”