Turn Over(86)

The intern reached on the floor and revealed five more packets just like the one I had read. “These came in first, though.”

Shit. So much for the scoop on who had won the auction. Apparently, they all had their proposals submitted in case they won. Or at least they were all as confident as Mason Lachlan that they would outbid the other.

I shuffled through each package, jotting down the relevant information on my pad. I knew most of the names, and there were two I assumed were shell companies. No surprises or breaking news here.

I meekly handed back the last envelop. “Any more?”

“Nah. That’s all I have.”

“Well, thanks again.” I turned to leave, but stopped at the door. “If anything else comes in will you give me a call or text me?” I flipped one of my business cards on his desk.

“Like what?” He turned it over between his fingers.

“I don’t know. If you see something interesting. Another application for the Beach Combers Cove land. Just anything. Ok?”

He smiled. “Sure. And now I’ve got your number.”

I sighed. “That’s not what I meant.”

He rocked back in his chair, and for a second I thought he might bounce onto the floor.

“Gotcha covered, girl.”

“Awesome. Thanks.” I darted out of the office before he misinterpreted everything else I said. He may not be a reliable source, but if another application came in today there was a good chance he would let me know, assuming he could identify what he was reading.

I had another stop I wanted to make before I started writing my article. I checked the directory in the lobby and found Commissioner Rodriguez’s office.

I tapped on the door. She was hunched over a map in the corner of her office.

“Come on in.” She didn’t look up.

“Commissioner, we met at the last council meeting. I’m Sydney Paige.”

She stood upright and turned to smile. “Nice to see you again. What can I do for you?”

“I’m here reporting on the Beach Combers Cove development. I was wondering what the council’s position is on developing that end of the island. Would you like to make a statement?”

There was a pen lodged above her ear. “I wasn’t aware there were any applications.”

“The Lachlan Corporation submitted one for a resort and—”

“A resort?”

I nodded. “Yes. What is your stance on a resort at that end of the island?” I would go through the list of proposals. There was a golf course and an amusement park in the stack too.

“I’m afraid I need to pull together some information before I make any kind of statement on that tract of land.”

“But, how would you vote for the resort?”

“Excuse me.” She hustled past me in the small space and opened the top drawer on her desk. “I need to work.” It sounded as if she was whispering to herself.

“Would you like to comment on the zoning issues?” I asked. I needed a quote. Something. Anything. I couldn’t write a story on six applications that hadn’t even crossed over the intern’s desk yet.

“I will release a statement after I have had a chance to review the information. I work within the confines of facts. I need facts.”

Did she realize she was speaking to a journalist? I placed my card on the corner of her desk. “Here is my contact information.”

“You will receive a copy along with the rest of the press. I don’t play favorites, Miss Paige.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that, Commissioner.” Great, I had offended her. I debated slipping the card off the desk and into my bag. “Thank you for your time.”

I ducked out of her office while she frantically worked on the tip I had given her.

I was spinning my wheels. Nothing panned out. I made a few calls from my car to the companies who had submitted applications. No one would comment on whether they had won the auction.

It was three o’clock. With only two hours until deadline I was screwed.





5





Mason





I walked into Pete’s after six. Eden said she and Grey would be on the terrace. The bar where the locals gathered after work had grown on me, kind of like the rest of the island.

Mark had called on my way over. The Lachlan Corporation bid had been accepted. Barbara must have been a shark at the table. My instincts were right to send her in. We outbid the competition without going over our budget. Our application was in with development services. I couldn’t think of a better time to have a few beers to celebrate.

“Look what the cat drug in,” Mac taunted me. Like the rest of the locals here they had started to accept I was a part of the Padre landscape. The Palm was reason enough for me to travel to town.