The Key in the Attic(41)
“Your company’s presentation did impress the council, I’ll agree, but Mr. Huggins and Ms. Brock’s agreement is outside of their control—and mine too, for that matter.”
“I understand that, of course. But you still have influence, Mr. Butler, and that’s what I’m talking about. Surely the two parties can be made to understand that, for the good of the community, they might want to reconsider.”
“So you want me to lean on them a little, is that it?”
Ian looked at Annie, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. She put her hands on her hips and glared at the telephone.
“To put it plainly,” Ms. McMillan answered, “yes.”
Ian sat up in his chair and tented his fingers together on the desk in front of him. “I’m just curious, Ms. McMillan. Why is this so important to you?”
“I don’t know what you mean. I told you we have to schedule these things out in advance. If I can get this deal done, I can move on to something else. Surely that’s not too hard to understand.”
“But is little Stony Point really worth all this trouble? I mean, there are places up and down the highway you could get.”
For a moment there was only a cold silence.
“Mr. Butler, a lot of people from SLR & FFH have researched this particular location. We’ve done studies and marketing research and cost analyses. We’ve had a preliminary survey and inspection of the property. Based on all that, I have assured our CEO that this is the best place to open a location in the area. I have always gotten the locations I propose, and I’m not planning on letting this be the first one to get away. Even if we do have to wait out this ridiculous little option period between Huggins and Brock, I mean for this deal to go through. Either you can help me or you can’t. Which is it?”
Annie and Ian exchanged incredulous glances.
Ian cleared his throat. “I don’t think I can help you, Ms. McMillan. Mr. Huggins and Ms. Brock have an agreement that’s good through the end of next month. I know you’ve spoken to both of them about terminating that agreement so you can go ahead with your project now, but it seems neither of them is interested in doing so, am I right?”
“Isn’t that what I just said?”
Annie stifled a snicker at the increasing irritation in the woman’s voice, and Ian put one cautioning finger to his lips.
“These people are my friends, Ms. McMillan. Both of them are dealing with difficult personal situations right now, and I don’t think either of them needs me to turn up the pressure. Especially since I should be trying to make things easier for them.”
“Oh please, Mr. Butler, this is a business matter, not a personal one. Your friendship with any resident of your town shouldn’t have any bearing on the decisions you make as mayor.”
“Forgive me, but I don’t believe that’s true. At least it’s not true here in Stony Point. I’m not going to show favoritism to my particular friends, no—but I consider showing consideration to all of our residents a major part of my job.” Ian’s brown eyes flashed. “Now, is there something else I can help you with today, Ms. McMillan?”
“You realize that SLR & FFH has a lot to offer a small town like Stony Point. If you were willing to cooperate with us, we could be very generous.”
Annie’s eyes widened. Was she offering him a bribe?
Ian only chuckled. “I appreciate your community spirit, Ms. McMillan, believe me, but I really can’t do anything to help you in this situation. Generosity of any kind isn’t going to make the slightest bit of difference.”
“I see.” She sniffled audibly and disdainfully. “In that case, I suppose all I can do is wish you a good morning.”
“You have a good morning too.”
Ian hung up the phone, and Annie clasped her hands together.
“Oh Ian, I could just kiss you.”
His face turned a little red, and he gave her an endearing “Aw, shucks!” look. “Just doing my job,” he said, looking quickly at the floor.
Annie blushed too, realizing what she had just said, and he glanced up and gave her a wink.
“I’m not surprised Mary Beth didn’t like her,” Annie said, her smile fading. “Do you think she was trying to bribe you?”
Ian shrugged. “Hard to say. Sometimes people put out little feelers to see how you’ll react. I always find it best to stop that kind of thing before it gets started. Whether or not that’s where she was going, she knows where I stand. That’s never a bad thing.”
“You handled her just right. I’m amazed she keeps her job, treating people like that.”