Looking For You All My Life Part 101

every room, computerized heating and cooling systems,

remote-controlled window coverings, and many other of the

very latest innovations, she almost became convinced that

she'd rather have a house like this than her own dear house

back in Pine Mountain. "Are all the homes in Phase One like

this?"

"Some come close, but nothing is quite this nice. It would

cost a fortune. But, after a few drinks and some persuasion,

most people a.s.sume that this," she waved her arm around

dramatically, "is what they'll be getting when they sign on

the bottom line. Of course, if they'd only read the fine print

they might suspect otherwise. But don't kid you Looking for You All My Life159

is very careful to obey the letter of the law. For the most part

people are incredibly trusting and gullible-especially some

of the older ones. I want to show you a couple of the vacant

houses so you can get a better look at some of the construc-

tion problems-one in this phase, and the other in the latest

phase. Then you can decide for yourself."

Maggie couldn't believe the difference between the vacant

houses and the model home. She took photos of uneven

sheet-rock on the walls where nail heads had popped out,

wobbly toilets, cheap lighting fixtures, thin vinyl flooring

with bubbles, and one bathroom where the plumbing wasn't

even connected to the sink. On top of this, June explained

how many people were having problems with improperly

installed, but very expensive, septic tank systems that sat

aboveground and were becoming environmental and health

hazards.

"You can see why I want to get out of here," said June

after they finished touring the last house.

"Do you know much firsthand about the other develop-

ments?"

"I've seen enough of them to know that this is truly their

best one."

"I guess then what I've read about the other places might

be true as well."

June nodded soberly. "It's all because of greed. Cohn and

his a.s.sociates have made millions, maybe billions-at the

expense of others. And this may be only a rumor, but I've

heard that Cohn has some lawsuits pending. I'm sure it's all

a matter of public record. It shouldn't be too difficult to get

the details."

"Have you ever heard of any actual settlements?"

June shook her head. "Cohn keeps all that kind of stuff

under pretty tight wraps. The only reason I heard about the

pending lawsuits was because I was dating him at the time.

And that is something I don't want to talk about."

Maggie surveyed the golf course again. It was really quite

an attractive contrast with the surrounding desert. "It's too 160Melody Carlson

bad they had to take all those shortcuts and do such a