water that ebbed and flowed gently onto the small beach.
“He said his client wants it so he can develop it.” For three times what the land was worth. What the hell that offer was about was still baffling. He needed to talk to Xander and Dimitri about the call. The plots of land to the east of the Pinnacle had land access, but without the waterfront property, the land was worth much less. Fortunately, they’d secured the small amount of acreage to keep someone from putting up buildings that would obstruct the views from the condos they were building.
“What kind of developments need waterfront property?” She reached over and grabbed an olive and popped it into her mouth.
He built another cracker sandwich and thought about her question. “Well, the obvious answer is expensive ones. We secured the waterfront to make sure no one takes the views from the people willing to pay for high-end condos on the beach.”
“Can all types of businesses operate on the beach?”
“Sure, as long as they comply with the laws of the city. It’s zoned mixed-use, commercial and residential.” He munched through the food as he thought. Her question niggled at him. “A couple weeks ago, Councilman Davis wanted to meet with me to discuss what he called a change to the zoning for the area. I sent my lawyers after him and we never heard a peep from him. Now, I’m sure he’s busy with other things.”
He laughed when she snorted, “Asshole.”
“Who, me or him?”
“Him, of course. I overheard where they offered you triple for the land. Do you think whoever wants your land is the same entity that is buying property? The same ones that have a system to purchase city land without competition?”
He stalled making his third stack of cheese and meat. “The way your mind works is amazing.”
She whipped her head around. “How so?” The defensive posturing told him she was waiting for an insult.
“Who else would have been able to slide those two bits of information together and say they could be related? Not many people, but you did.” He shrugged. “Impressive.”
“Thanks, but do you think they could be?”
He grabbed an olive and stared out at the water. “I don’t know. Maybe. There are so many random things going on. How’s your research going?” He took another sip of wine after she did.
“Well, it’s interesting. The ads are going through the proper channels to the paper. I had an appointment with the head of the department today and she said that she receives the orders and sends them to the floor to be processed and placed.” She shrugged. “I got a picture of the names of the personnel assigned to the section on the way out of the building. If the directory is up to date, hopefully, I’ll be able to talk to them and figure out where things get diverted. That is if this meeting tomorrow night doesn’t pan out.”
“Meeting?”
“Yeah, I got an anonymous tip from some guy. He wants to meet me at the Tipsy Tavern tomorrow night at ten-thirty. He says he has information about the ads.” She shrugged. “I need to Google that business. I have no idea where it is.”
“I do. It’s about fifteen miles due west from here. In the Longshore area. It’s a rough neighborhood. We did a project over there when we first started up. The Double T is where we went when we wanted to have a drink after work. You really don’t need to be there alone at night.”
She turned and looked at him and he watched as her eyes narrowed.
He held up a hand. “No, no, no, I’m not saying that because you’re a woman, so stow the ‘I’m so pissed you said that’ look. I’m saying that because you’re my woman and I would hate it if some asshole hit on you or worse, tried to take advantage of the fact that you were there alone. I’d have to defend your honor and challenge him to a duel or some shit. Those longshoremen are tough, but I could probably outshoot him.”
She laughed and extended a hand to Duke, who came in and plopped down at her feet, not getting near the tablecloth. Killian rolled his eyes. Of course, the dog was on his best behavior—the shepherd adored Bekki, too. She smoothed the scruff of his neck with long strokes. “I’ve got pretty good situational awareness. I’m not thrilled with the place or the time, but if I can get