Casey Williams chuckled at his friend’s reply. “Tell me what you have,” he urged, reclining in his desk chair.
Topaz looked down at the pad she’d been scribbling on. “I ran with a hunch and discovered that the same real estate company closed the sales for each of the five businesses that have sold out on the block so far.”
“Did you find out who the buyer was?” Casey asked, making notes from what she’d shared.
Topaz slammed her pen to her desk. “No—not a clue. Not one hint. They obviously wanna keep this thing a secret. There was a man who came to the shop a few days ago.”
“He make an offer?”
“No, just fished around trying to find out if I was interested in selling. He made it seem like he was interested in opening a business on the block, but it was clear that he was only interested in my shop.”
Casey frowned. “Did he give you any way to contact him?”
“Mmm-mmm. I doubt he’ll even be back. I just know it’s all connected somehow.”
“Have you talked to any of the other proprietors?”
Topaz stood behind her desk. “Actually I’m on my way to see two of the other owners right now—see if they’ve had any interested visitors,” she told him, slipping her keys into the side pockets of her gray flare-legged trousers. “You think maybe you could use some of your investigative expertise to find out anything on your end?”
Casey burst into laughter that told her he knew what she was up to. “Stop tryin’ to butter me up.”
“Is it working?”
“Always,” he admitted with a phony, disgusted grunt. “I’ll see what I can find out and we’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks, Case,” Topaz whispered before hanging up. Without hesitation, she dialed another number. “Hey, Jenny, could I speak with Horace or Stan?” she requested and waited for the connection.
“What’s up, girl?”
“Horace, I need to see you and Stan later this morning if you’re not tied up. It’s important.”
Horace frowned. “Somethin’ wrong?” he asked, looking over at Stan, who was seated near the desk.
Topaz winced and scratched the hair matting her temple. “If it’s okay, I’d rather get into it when I see y’all.”
“No problem,” Horace slowly assured her, more than a little curious. “We got the whole morning free—stop by anytime.”
“See you guys in a few,” she said, ending the call just as a knock sounded on her office door. “It’s open!”
“Topaz Emerson?” the young deliveryman called as he peeked past the door.
Topaz waved. “Come on in.”
“Package for you, ma’am,” he said, trying not to ogle the lovely woman in his presence. “If you—you’d just sign,” he awkwardly instructed, extending a clipboard.
“Thanks.” Topaz smiled as she was handed a small envelope. Inside the package, she found a plastic card key with a note.
This will get you past the security gate in my neighborhood. Any time you get the urge to go to the park—go there.
Alex
Topaz felt her lashes fluttering while her heart beat double time. With trembling hands, she pressed the card against her lips and smiled. At first, she couldn’t believe he’d done something so thoughtful. Then she remembered what he’d done the night before.
“Topaz, we need to talk!”
“You shut the hell up, it was my idea to come up in here!”
The moment of reminiscing effectively interrupted, Topaz placed the card in her purse and tuned in to the bellows of the two mechanics in the office. She promised herself she would thank Alex later that day. In person.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Busy.”
“Lex, please, you do own the damn paper. Don’t tell me you can’t get away just for one evening.”
Alex massaged the bridge of his nose and ordered himself not to tell his cousin what she could do with her dinner invitation.
“I won’t take no for an answer, Lex.”
“Well then, I guess I’m left with nothing to give.”
“Lex!” DeAndra whined.
