Turn Over(85)

He bought and sold properties all over the country. He didn’t seem particular whether he acquired an abandoned school or an urban sky scraper. He was in the business of making money.

His headshot was the same in each article. He wore a tailored suit, a smile most models would pay for, and a look in his eyes that said he was on his way to conquering the world.

I didn’t have much to go on, but I knew he was involved in the development deal. I could sense it. The problem was I only had four hours until my deadline and had nothing to add to my story.

I walked into the parking lot not sure where I was going to find more for this story. Ever since I took the News & Record job I felt as if I were constantly trying to play keep up.

It had been three months since I moved here, but I still didn’t know anyone and I wasn’t the savvy business reporter I had presented myself as. Alice knew it, but she hadn’t publicly called me out on it. She was giving me a chance to prove myself. At least I had convinced myself that was the case.

Today could be my last day. I needed to produce an article.

I leaned my makeshift bun against the headrest. The wind had whipped apart every hairstyle I tried today. Mason probably thought I was a disheveled mess. I doubted it would make a difference. He wasn’t going to answer my questions.

The thoughts had been there since I met Shawna and Lindy this morning. The ones that crept into the back of my eyes, burning images like a movie playing on a screen I couldn’t stop watching. I wished I could pick up the phone and call Hailey. She would tell me something that would make me laugh. Instead I was sitting in a hot as hell car with no clue where my sister and niece were.

I turned up the radio to block out the memories. The country music in Texas was starting to grow on me. It had a different sound. Sometimes I felt as if the guys singing were sitting next to me.

The air conditioner was blowing at the highest fan speed. God, what was I doing here?

I noticed Commissioner Hernandez was on his phone. His face red from the heat. City Hall would have to be my next stop. All of the development applications would pass through there first. I hoped whichever company won the land bid at the private auction would be anxious to start the development paperwork.

I pointed my car toward City Hall, and parked near the entrance.

I raced up the front steps after looking at my watch. Most of the City Hall staff would still be at lunch.

I retrieved my press pass. “Hi, I’m Sydney Paige with the News & Record. I was wondering if any applications are in for the Beach Combers Cove development.”

The woman behind the reception desk pulled the glasses from her nose. “That’s in the development office. Down the hall on the right.”

“Thank you.” I hurried to the office a few doors down.

I was met by a guy who looked as if he were my age, maybe younger. They apparently staffed City Hall with college interns for the summer. He was typing on his phone.

“Excuse me?”

I startled him. “Oh, hey. Yeah.”

“I’m Sydney Paige with the News & Record.” I showed him my press badge. “Have any applications been submitted for the Beach Combers Cove project?”

He stared at me blankly.

“Don’t the applications come through this office?” I asked impatiently.

“I guess so. I don’t know. They hand me stuff and then I file it.”

I realized I had stumbled upon an unusual opportunity. The development office was empty except for this inexperienced intern.

“Oh, that’s cool. I guess they give you a lot of responsibility.”

He straightened his back slightly. I noticed his polo shirt was wrinkled from his chest to his waist. This kid didn’t take much seriously.

“Yeah, it’s an important gig.”

I peeked over the front of his desk. “Would you mind checking for me then on the applications? It would be really great if you could help me out.”

His desk was littered with stacks of folders and paper. I didn’t know if he could find anything there.

He lifted a manila packet on top. “This one just came in.” He handed it to me.

I peeled back the seal. It was all here. The Lachlan Corporation had a completed application to develop Beach Combers Cove. I read through the description of the proposed project. They wanted to build a resort. Impressive.

I pulled my phone out to take a few pictures of the pages so I could read through the details later.

“What’s this for?” the intern asked.

I tucked the papers inside the envelope and placed it back on his desk. “A business article I’m writing.”

“Cool.” He bobbed his head. “I’m Matt.”

“Thanks for your help, Matt.” Finally, I had a story to break for Alice.