Looking For You All My Life Part 85

mother. Although I've never heard her mother complain

much, because California law stipulated that I leave her with

half of all my a.s.sets. Not such a bad deal for her." Surpris-

ingly, he said all this without the slightest perceivable trace

of bitterness. "And what's your story, Ms. Carpenter?"

"Well, if I'm to call you by your first name, you had better

do the same. My husband died several years ago. I have a fif-

teen-year-old son. Then my mother lives with me, and

another young woman we ve sort of adopted." She glanced

over at Leah, who looked very grown up as she visited with

the other three adults. "And we have two dogs, also

adopted."

''Sounds like a nice little extended family. Lucky for you.

It's not that much fun being alone." He took a sip of water.

"What I was about to say, Mr.-I mean, Cohn, is that

before we get this trip all settled I'd like to lay my cards on

the table for you. I want you to understand fully where I'm

coming from-"

"You mean, like how you plan to really scrutinize the

quality of my developments? That you intend on uncovering

and exposing anything that looks even slightly suspicious or

questionable? That you'll grill my employees and look under

the rugs? Things like that?"

She nodded, suppressing a grin. "Yes, as a matter of fact,

that pretty well sums it up.''

"Good. That's exactly what I hoped you'd do. And when

it's all said and done, I also hope that you'll write an honest

appraisal of my work, and perhaps I'll get some good press

for a pleasant change."

She was baffled. Either this guy was good-or he was

really good. He almost had her believing him, and nearly to

the point where she might consider simply saying, "Oh, let's

forget about this whole trip, you've got me convinced."

just 136Melody Carlson

But then she remembered Clyde's warnings. She couldn't be

that gullible. "Great," she said. "Then it looks like we under-

stand each other."

"Fantastic-"

"Excuse me," said Cindy. "Mr. Byers, you have a phone

call. The man sounded like it was urgent. Do you want to

take it at the front desk?"

"Sure." He turned to Maggie as he casually stood. "I'm

sorry about this. You know how it is when you're out of

town for a few days; everyone suddenly thinks they need to

talk to you. I'll try to keep it short."

With Cohn gone, Maggie glanced over again to Jed's

table. This time when he looked her way their eyes locked

for a long moment. She felt her heart begin to beat faster as

she looked straight into his dark eyes. They seemed laced

with what she feared might be sadness, and she longed to run