The Heart of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    First thing Monday morning, Lucas was on the phone to Mayor Sully Sullivan, setting up a time to meet later that afternoon. He collected his spreadsheets and renderings, ready to impress and hook the mayor to help him persuade the prosperous people of Paradise Valley to invest in the new ski and golf resort.
    Showing up a few minutes early for his appointment, Lucas took the opportunity to introduce himself around the city offices and ingratiate himself with the employees. He knew his charm was sizeable and often irresistible. It was one of his many talents that helped him accomplish the things he did.
    “The mayor is ready for you, Mr. Wakefield,” Sully’s frumpy, middle-aged assistant announced with a friendly smile. “Please, follow me.” She led him down a hallway, knocked lightly, and opened the door to the office.
    “It was such a pleasure meeting you,” Lucas said, giving her hand a light squeeze, before walking into the Mayor’s office.
    “Lucas, it’s good to see you again.” Sully stepped from behind his desk, buttoned his suit jacket, and extended his hand to Lucas as he entered. Sully had blonde hair, like his sister, but without the salon highlights. His blue eyes were warm and welcoming. “Have a seat, please,” he said, gesturing toward the two leather club chairs that sat across from his desk.
    “I’d rather stand, Mr. Mayor,” Lucas said, holding out the renderings.
    “Oh, yes, of course. Why don’t you spread those out on the conference table over here?”
    Lucas followed his directions, spreading the artwork out on the table and made a sweeping motion toward them. “Have a look. I think you’ll like what you see.”
    Sully hunched over and looked down at each drawing, placing his hands on the edge of the table. “You’ve done a superb job, Lucas. People around here will be lining up to get in on this project.” He looked up at Lucas with a big smile, showing his excitement for what this would mean for Paradise Valley’s economy as well.
    “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” Lucas grinned widely. “What about you, Mayor? Would you be interested in one of these condos?”
    “Oh, please, call me Sully. And as for the condos…I would, if it wasn’t for the huge mountain of medical bills I have.”
    Sully’s excitement dulled.
    “I’d love to do that for my wife, but I don’t see how right now.”
    Lucas laid his hand on Sully’s shoulder and looked him in the eye with absolute sincerity. “I tell you what, Sully , since you’re Maggie’s brother, you’re like family.”
    Sully chuckled.
    It was a bit of a leap. After all, Maggie and Lucas had not been dating that long. Still, Lucas would work the angle.
    “I’d be happy to work a special deal with you,” Lucas offered. Turning back to the table, he opened his briefcase and pulled out his spreadsheets.
    “What kind of special deal?”
    Lucas stopped and smiled to himself, hearing the interest in Sully’s voice. “What would you say if I sell you two of the condos at a greatly reduced price?” Lucas spread the papers out on the table, then straightened his posture and faced Sully. “That way you could resell them and make a healthy chunk of change to put toward your hospital bills.”
    He turned back to his spreadsheets. “Here’s my calculations.” He tapped his finger on a column of numbers, watching Sully’s face for a reaction. “What do you think of that?”
    “What exactly are we talking, Lucas?” Sully’s eyes lit up as his gaze hovered over the numbers.
    “What if I sell you two of the three-hundred-thousand-dollar condos for two hundred each, then you can turn around and resell them for three hundred. That would give you a two-hundred-thousand-dollar profit. That should make a pretty sizeable dent in your hospital bills, wouldn’t it?”
    “Sounds like a screaming deal. Only problem is I don’t have that kind of money to put down. Aren’t you asking for twenty-five percent?”