At Wick's End - Tim Myers [26]
“But this place is mortgaged to the hilt,” I blurted out.
“Once the property is in my possession, I have no doubts that I will be able to turn a reasonable profit above what I’m willing to pay you. Given your recent salary history, it’s a quite generous offer.”
So the attorney had done his homework about my past work. Not only did he know where I’d worked, but most likely he’d discovered the dismal amount of pay I was used to. I took the document from him, studied the figure on the paper, then frowned at it in surprise. I had no idea how much River’s Edge was truly worth above and beyond what I owed the bank, but I doubted it was possible it was worth that much. It didn’t really matter. Mr. Young had made it quite clear why I couldn’t sell the place before I’d been there five years, but I wasn’t ready to admit that, at least not until I had a chance to see just how badly Cragg wanted it, and why.
“You know, now that I think about it, this figure seems a little low,” I said as I floated the paper back across the desk to him. It was all I could do to keep from grinning as I said it. I would have said the same thing no matter how much he’d offered. I was looking for a great deal more than a higher price on a parcel I was in no position to sell.
Cragg looked at me a moment, tore up the document, and to my surprise, the man actually smiled as he handed me another piece of paper. “It appears you are more savvy than I credited you for. This figure should be more to your liking.”
I studied the substantially higher number for a few moments. Cragg was serious about acquiring River’s Edge, if that second offer meant anything. I still didn’t know why though.
I said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let this go on as long as I have. River’s Edge is not for sale.”
“Mr. Black, let me assure you, the offer in your hands is well above the current market value of the property. No one is going to be willing to match it, let alone top it.”
“I’m not disputing that,” I said. “Just out of curiosity, why are you willing to pay more than you admit it’s worth? I’m not about to believe it’s for the place’s sentimental value.”
Cragg stroked his desk lightly. “You’re wrong, there; I have grown quite fond of River’s Edge.” He shook his head, then added, “However, you are correct in the assumption that there is more driving me than emotion. I plan to evict the other tenants and turn this entire building into a legal complex. We’re close enough to the courthouse to walk, and once the papers are signed, I’m certain I can persuade several of my colleagues to join me.”
I slid the second paper back to him as well. “It’s a moot point, actually. I couldn’t sell you River’s Edge even if I wanted to. Belle added a clause to her will that forbids me from selling the complex, at least any time soon.”
Cragg smiled without warmth. “Believe me, we can break that proviso without any problem. All I need is your approval, and I can move immediately.”
I stood. “Even if you’re right, I’m not willing to part with River’s Edge. I’m more interested in Belle’s intent than I am in breaking her last request.”
“Your decision is final then?” he asked, the hard edge coming out in his voice.
“My hands are tied,” I said. “If not entirely by the law, then by my great-aunt’s desires, and those are more important to me than any document.”
Without another word, Cragg destroyed the paper I’d returned to him, then he turned his attention back to the stack of papers on his desk. I was as effectively dismissed as I had ever been in my entire life.
It appeared