Betrayal - Fern Michaels [94]
“Of course. Then let’s get going. I do have a schedule to stick to as well.” Kate knew she sounded snotty, but she was not going to let Debbie dictate to her. She didn’t care if she was the owner of the damned real estate office.
Debbie paused before heading out the door. “Melanie, if a Mr. Fitzpatrick calls back, give him my cell number.”
Kate was surprised, but Fitzpatrick wasn’t that uncommon a name. It couldn’t be Coleman. Could it?
“I’m sorry. This man called me this morning. He’s an attorney looking for an old friend. I thought I might have something to tell him. So are you new to the area?” Debbie asked.
It took Kate a minute to find her voice. “Yes, I’ve been here a few months. I was divorced, needed a change.”
An attorney looking for an old friend. What are the odds?
“You’ll find plenty of eligible bachelors here, but most of them are too old to enjoy, if you know what I mean. I have a friend who might be interested in meeting you.” She felt like she was on an auction block as Debbie scrutinized her.
Kate felt sure she was hearing things. They were walking to what Kate assumed was Debbie’s car. She was trying to fix her up on a date? She couldn’t imagine what she’d do if they spent a couple of days together. She’d have her married off. Damn, was this how Debbie sold a hundred million dollars’ worth of real estate?
“Thanks, but I’m not dating yet. I have . . . I want to enjoy being alone for a while.”
Debbie unlocked the door to a sleek white Jaguar. “Suit yourself, but the nights can get lonely.” She’d opened the door. This was too easy. “You’re not married?” Kate asked.
Debbie drew in a deep breath. “Yes. My husband is very ill. I don’t expect him to live much longer.”
Don is dying?
“I’m sorry. You look too young to have a husband old enough to die.”
Debbie snorted. “How old do you have to be? Oh, forget I said that. My hubby isn’t dying of some terminal illness. He’s just pickling his liver.”
Kate smiled. “Oh, well, that’s too bad.”
They drove along Highway 41, the road to everywhere in Naples. They made a few stops and turns. “Vanderbilt Beach is a great place. This price is too good to be true. You won’t find another condo like this. Come on.”
Debbie showed the parking lot attendant her ID, and he gave her a pass. They parked in what little shade there was.
Kate followed Debbie. For a minute she felt like an idiot, pretending to be someone she was not. Then she thought of Alex. This was for him, no matter how stupid it suddenly seemed.
The air-conditioning inside the lobby felt wonderful to Kate. There was no way in hell she would buy a condo there, beachfront or not.
“This is on the tenth floor. Faces the Gulf of Mexico.”
Off the elevator, they found the unit for sale. Debbie fumbled with a ring of keys, then swung the door open. She stood aside as Kate entered.
Debbie closed the door behind her. “Don’t want all this cool air escaping. We’re footing the electric bills for the owner until we sell.”
Kate walked around the condo while Debbie pointed out the obvious. “The kitchen has new Jenn-Air appliances. The carpeting in all the bedrooms is new.”
Kate listened as Debbie gave the stats on the condo.
“Of course, the main attraction is the view.” Debbie pulled the floor-to-ceiling blinds open. It was a beautiful view, Kate had to admit. White beaches and aqua green water.
“What do you think?” Debbie asked. She reminded Kate of Carol Merrill from Let’s Make a Deal as she held her palm out toward the Gulf.
“Impressive.” And I’ll pick door number three, Kate thought. She smiled.
“So? You want it or not?” Debbie persisted.
She wondered if this was the technique she used with all of her clients. If so, Kate found it hard to believe she’d sold a hundred million dollars’ worth of real estate.
“I’d really like to look at more property. This is the first place I’ve seen.”
She whipped the blinds shut. “Well, don’t say I didn’t tell you. This will be gone in a week, if not less.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Kate couldn’t wait to get back to her car. Debbie was still the same self-centered