work, future projects, and protected their reputation. Most firms sub out portions of the build, like electrical. That’s why some get in trouble.”
“Perkins Electrical.” Her mother shook her head. “The Russian Mafia has ties deep into the history of Hope City. Most of the port cities in this area have the same issue, as a matter of fact.”
“Yeah, I learned that. But anyway, Killian doesn’t sub it out. He has workers he pays a steady salary to who are with him all year. It allows him to bid lower because the subs aren’t padding their pockets and he doesn’t have to factor their cost into the bid.”
“Well, that’s rather revolutionary.”
“I know, right? And, Mom, you ought to see his logistics operation. Every piece or part they purchase for a build is scanned in and accounted for. Zero waste. Or at least as close to zero as he can get. The unique management of the construction company is driven by Killian and he’s phenomenal. I pulled all the records I could find, and let me tell you, he’s done a remarkable job and has a great reputation. They bought the land at the Harbor years ago and then he put together the Pinnacle development. He already has people buying store space and condos.” She carefully ate more of her egg before she realized her mother was staring at her. “What?” Her hand flew to her face to check if she’d missed her mouth and dribbled some of her breakfast.
Hannah shook her head. “Nothing, just lost in thought. What do you have planned for today?”
She narrowed her eyes at her mom. “Lost in what kind of thought?”
“Honestly, I was thinking how proud I was of you.”
“Say what now?” Bekki leaned forward. “Are you feeling okay? You’re not dying or something, are you?”
Her mother flashed her a frustrated frown. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. I am thinking you may be blind as a bat if you can’t see that man likes you and that you like him.”
“Now that sounds like my Hover Mother.” Bekki laughed when her mother rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Stop laughing at me before I declare that I’m spending the entire day looking after you.”
Bekki held up her hand. “All done, see?”
They both burst out laughing. “Fine, now tell me what you have planned for the day.”
“Shower, documents, and Caitlyn is going to stop by after work for a few minutes. I’m not going to run for a couple days and she couldn’t get here last night so she’s popping in to declare I look like poo and we’ll have a glass of wine. You know, the usual after you tangle with a tripod. What do you have on the schedule?”
Her mother glanced at her watch and stood up. “We are meeting at the Civic Center to make angels to sell at the Christmas Bazaar. They sold like hotcakes last year, but we didn’t have enough to fund all the children’s programs. It was a good thing Elijah Winchester sent us a check or we’d have been in horrible straights.”
“That’s right, the quarterback for the Marauders ponied up to the bar last year.” The guy was a Hope City native and had led the team to two back-to-back Super Bowls. She stood and picked up her plate to take to the sink.
Her mom grabbed it from her. “I’ve got the dishes. You go take a shower. I’ll lock up after myself.”
“Thank you.” Bekki leaned in and pecked her mom’s cheek. “I know you’re proud of me, you know.”
Her mother’s eyes misted up a bit. “I am very proud. Now, go before you make me cry and I ruin my mascara.”
“We can’t have that. What would the bazaar women think?” She padded down her hallway and into her bedroom. Swiping the phone off her nightstand, she went into the bathroom to take a nice, long, hot shower.
After she twisted on the water and got undressed, it was inspection time. The bruises along her ribs were livid and black and blue. She’d been able to keep those private. The metal bar of the tripod was unforgiving. Looking in the mirror, she sighed. She looked like she’d gone ten rounds with a heavyweight champ and lost soundly.
A quick check of the water sent a shiver through her. That water heater was going to have to be replaced soon. It was taking longer and longer for hot water to make it to the shower. She grabbed her phone and looked at the texts waiting for her.