Page 51 of Her Last Whisper

“How did it end up as the Basin Woods Development?” Katie asked, studying the illustrations. There were notations from the architects and builders: codes and numbers. One had a penciled-in note, barely legible, “Highland Project NP #367-44,” which had been written on the lower right corner.

“Well,” he began, “that’s where it gets interesting. I dug up old newspaper articles, which were fairly well researched for the time. It turns out that the budget for the original project fell through and the Magna Group had its funding revoked. This company originally wanted to build more of a luxury area, but politics play a major role and so eventually it fell through.”

“Did another company bid a new project?” she asked.

“You’re on the right track, Detective. Simms Development swooped in and proposed more of an affordable housing project—basically a low income.” He flipped the pages and it was clear that the new area was much more conservative and smaller. “Two years later, this was what was proposed, and after the permit was processed, it went into full construction mode.”

“Why am I getting the feeling that there were internal issues?”

“To say the least; funds went missing, construction cut corners, and there was a man killed on the job when part of a roof caved in on him.”

“Wow, I had no idea.”

“Yeah, well, it was a while ago and most people forgot about the place.”

Katie flipped through several pages of renderings and she began to recognize the area. “Do you have the individual house plans?”

“I thought you might ask. I’ve located about half of them. Was there one in particular you were looking for?” He adjusted his glasses while he stared at her, eagerly awaiting an answer.

Katie opened her file of an aerial view of the street which included the house she had searched. “Here,” she pointed. “I know it’s difficult to see with the trees, but you can see the side streets.”

“No, I can see. Can you leave this with me? I can get you the plans and courier you a copy. Would that be okay?”

“Yes, absolutely. That would be great—thank you.”

Shane took out his cell phone to write down the information. “So, Detective Scott, Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. I’ll look up the address.”

“Can you send copies of everything you have told me about the original project and what was actually built?”

“Yep.” He made more notes on his phone.

“What were the names of the people?”

He went to a cabinet close by and pulled out a thick file folder. “The Magna Group president was Kenneth Jamison, Sr., and Simms Development president was Bradley Carter. I don’t know if that helps.”

“Jamison?” she asked, a little surprised.

Reading over the paperwork again, “Uh, yes. I’ll send copies of this too.”

“Shane, you have been absolutely amazing.”

“Naw,” he said as his cheeks flushed.

“One more favor,” Katie said. “I need a list of all the people who owned/rented the houses before they were forced to move. Would that be the county assessor’s office?”

“It would be, but I can get you that list too—if you like.”

“Are you sure that you don’t mind getting everything back to me?”

“Not a problem, Detective Scott. That’s what I do. And… I’m assuming this is for an investigation.”

Smiling, Katie said, “It is… a very important case.”

Shane began to roll up the plans. “I’ll get everything together and then have it couriered tomorrow some time. Would that be okay?”

“That would be great.”

Thirty