Debts and Debtors: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #3) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

detective.
    “Yes?” His voice was high and nasally, not at all what Kalina expected to come out of such a large man.
    “You don’t happen to work for the development company do you?”
    Instead of answering, he reached into his breast pocket and produced a business card. She took it and glanced over the text. The mystery man was Victor Mackland, Asset Protection Manager. Mr. Mackland did indeed work for the development company.
    “I saw you down the street and I wanted to ask what you could tell me about what’s happening here on the waterfront. I’m relatively new to town.” She prayed he hadn’t seen her on Main Street any time recently.
    “The company is building a new hotel and some high end waterfront condos.”
    “Oh, wow. That sounds great. I mean it will just boost tourism to town and increase revenue. But … what about the people who live here?”
    “I’m sorry, Miss. If you have more questions, you’ll need to speak to one of our girls in sales. Good day.”
    Before she could say more, Mr. Mackland did an about face and strode off out of sight. Kalina stayed put for a minute trying to process the new information. She needed to do a little fact checking to see if there really was a new development project happening and how Thomas Chase was involved. Shaking her head, she made her way back up the beach and the street to the Chase house. The technicians were loading up the last of their gear and Chris and Savannah had disappeared. Jillian stood alone by the front steps.
    “This is getting pretty crazy,” Kalina said and sidled up to her sister.
    “Savannah is going to stay with us until this is all over. It clearly isn’t safe for her to be here alone.”
    “That makes sense. Hey, do you know anything about a new hotel and condos going up on the beach?”
    “Yeah, a lot of people weren’t too happy when that contract came through.”
    “Why not?”
    Jillian rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Kal. Read a newspaper sometime. Building the new hotel and condos means the people who live there now will have to give up their houses. And a lot of the older population of town live out there. They don’t have anywhere to go. But the town agreed to the project so there’s not much they can do.”
    “Thanks. I need to get back to the shop. Let me know if you need anything.”
    Her sister gave a weary smile and nodded. Time to do some more digging.

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    The trip back to the shop was short and she found AJ flipping through the Cards against Humanity deck at the front counter. She set her phone down on the counter beside him and scooted him out of the way.
    “Things seem to have slowed down,” he said.
    “That’s how it usually is.”
    “Sorry I got mad at you before, Aunt K.”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “So what’s the latest news on our dead guy?”
    “Well, he hasn’t worked for the real estate firm in at least two months and there was a man from Carlisle Premiere Developments lurking around the Chase house after it had been vandalized. That was kind of suspicious.”
    “Oh, they’re the guys who are building the luxury hotel on the waterfront.”
    “So I’m told. But something seems off. I can’t really explain it.”
    “You know who you remind me of?” her nephew said.
    “Who?”
    “Jessica Jones.”
    She smacked his arm. “I am not.”
    “You help people without being asked and you are pretty awesome. Plus you own your own business.”
    “I’m also not a super powered drunk.”
    “She’s got charm.”
    “Yeah, OK. Look, I need to see what I can find out about this company so I’m going to be in the back if you want to hang out here.”
    “Absolutely.”
    Kalina grabbed the tablet from beside the register and headed to one of the big, comfy chairs in the corner. She could still keep an eye on the store and dig up some dirt on the development company. Needing to concentrate, she put in her earbuds and turned on some instrumental music. With the world