This Life: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

you, I’ll touch him instead,” said Suki, still without facial
expression. “He won’t enjoy it.”
    Blake hesitated. What
the hell should I say to that? “Uh…thank you.”
    “All in a day’s work.”
Suki raised her hands, palms up, then let them fall to her lap. No other part
of her body moved in the slightest.
    I can’t even see her
breathing , Blake realized. She shivered again, and busied herself with her
BlackBerry on one knee and her iPad on the other. The flight stewards can’t
take drink orders soon enough for me…
    She forgot the spooky
introduction to Suki, however, as she discovered a new email from Charles.
latest. Please advise what you want to do.>
    joking,> Blake emailed her reply. those properties are?>
    As she waited for
Charles to answer, her BlackBerry alerted her that she had a new text message.
From Suki’s smartphone, and also sent to Matt and Antonio. ahead has been eyeing my client ever since we boarded the plane.>
    else?> asked Antonio.
    
Suki replied.
    watch him,> Matt tapped out on his smartphone, while Blake sneaked a peek
behind her and didn’t see Suki holding a phone at all.
    That woman makes my
skin crawl. I’m glad she’s on my side. Blake turned her attention back to
her email.
    New message from
Charles: <330k, 180k, and 117k.>
    Blake gazed out the
window at the clouds beneath the plane, considering the situation. Her latest
bids were 120 percent of the FMVs for the properties. She expected her plans for
the three Little Haiti properties to double their value immediately, with their
worth increasing as she gradually revitalized the entire community. I can
outbid the anonymous person by a small amount and still turn a profit soon
after renovations are completed , she decided.
    percent of the anonymous bidder’s offers,> Blake emailed Charles. As she
looked up from her iPad, she observed the old man two rows ahead studying her.
He waved, but she didn’t wave back.
    She plugged the
BlackBerry into the nearest of the Delta’s first-class power outlets,
recharging it while she browsed news using the iPad. Business news websites
were rife with gossip that Blake Bertrand was about to buy the Wishman Spears
building. Her photograph, as she’d looked the day of her final divorce hearing,
was splashed all over the Internet.
    “Good morning.” A
smiling stewardess stopped the drinks cart next to Blake and Matt. “Can I get
you a complimentary beverage?”
    “I’d love a Grand
Marnier Sidecar,” Blake answered, returning the smile.
    “Nice try.” The
stewardess laughed. “We’ve flown together before, Ms. Bertrand. Don’t you
remember? And we’re still not equipped to mix cocktails; but I did tell Delta
you asked about it.”
    Blake faked a heavy
sigh. “Well, I had to ask, you know. So…just beer, wine, and spirits still?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “A nice Cab would go
down well, I think.” Blake nudged Matt, who tugged his headset off and arched
his eyebrows. “Want something to drink, Matt?”
    Matt shook his head. “I’m
not supposed to when I’m on duty.”
    “You’re not on duty
until the night shift.” Blake winked at him.
    “Go ahead,” Suki
intoned. “She’s the boss. Antonio and I can keep watch on Big Eyes up there.”
    “I’d love a Sam Adams.”
    “Coming right up.” The
stewardess rummaged inside the cart for a few seconds, then handed Matt a
chilled Sam Adams before pouring a glass of red wine for Blake. “If you need
refills, just let a member of the steward team know.” She smiled and
half-saluted, then pushed the cart along to the next row of customers.
    Another stewardess
handed Blake a second glass of wine, this one from the menu of drinks that cost
extra. It was a Merlot with a heady aroma that made Blake’s mouth