Free Foreclosure: A Novel by S.D. Thames Page B

did, though, don’t you?”
    “I know you thought you did.”
    “So that’s when it started?”
    “That was when the invitation was made. It took me a while to, I guess you could say, consummate it.”
    “Anything else you want to get off your chest?”
    Justin lowered his head and took a deep breath. “I want to make it up to you. This portfolio I’m overseeing could be a big deal, man. A lot of work for you.”
    “So what kind of work are we talking about?”
    “High-end commercial developments. Shopping centers, condos, and town houses. We’ve got developers going belly-up along every coast in Florida. I’m responsible for all our lending from Hillsborough down to Gaspar County.” Justin pointed to the rows of papers on his desk.
    David scanned the stacks of documents. As if illuminated from a light above, the words Pinnacle Homes & Investments summoned his attention to the nearest pile. “How close to litigation are you?”
    “Pretty close. With the biggest, we’re negotiating forbearance agreements that we’re never going to sign.”
    “Make them think you want to settle. Then surprise them with a lawsuit?”
    Justin grinned. “Something like that.”
    David took another look at what appeared to be one of Frank’s mortgage loans. What he wouldn’t give to pick it up and run and never look back. “Can you give me any names?”
    “Is this conversation privileged?”
    “You haven’t hired me yet, have you?”
    “Let’s just say some high-dollar players, names you’ve seen in the business journal.” Justin crossed his arms like a man wielding power. “Look, I want to make this right. We’re talking enough work to make you partner. Lana’s onboard too.”
    “You’ve talked to Lana about this?”
    “Like I said, she wants us to be adults about this.”
    Justin’s phone rang. “Justin Baxter,” he answered. “Can this wait?”
    It obviously couldn’t, because Justin hung up and told David he’d only be gone a few minutes.
    “Sure thing, buddy.”
    The instant Justin’s door closed behind him, David picked up Frank’s contract and found a pile of email correspondence below it. Knowing that what he was reading was too good to be true, and too much information to commit to memory, he pulled out his BlackBerry and readied the camera.

    In the office lobby, everyone bid their farewells. While Alton thanked Kirk for the opportunity to tell the bank more about the firm’s services, Mackenzie gave Justin one more delicious peck on the cheek. Alice, in turn, kissed Mackenzie on the cheek, which initially surprised Mackenzie, until her face started to glow with the warmth of being trusted and loved. She kissed Alice back. Then she turned and watched David, as though he were about to perform a high dive at the Olympics.
    Now it was David and Justin’s turn to say good-bye. Justin took the lead. “It was good to see you, old sport.”
    “Likewise,” David said.
    “I hope we can talk more about the portfolio we discussed today.”
    “I’m sure we will.” David extended his hand to his old friend, but Justin passed on it for a bear hug. David let him hug away. He glanced over Justin’s shoulder at Mackenzie, who was still studying his every move.
    A few minutes later, David rode the elevator down with Alton and Mackenzie.
    “Overall, a promising day,” Alton said.
    Mackenzie nodded to David. “So, what did you learn about Justin’s portfolio?”
    David thought for a moment, hiding a smirk. “It could turn on him any minute.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    “You just couldn’t stay away, could you?” Katherine reclined behind her desk and threw David a seductive glare.
    David shrugged and wiped his brow.
    “And you seem like such a nice boy.”
    “Looks can be deceiving.” He moseyed over to her desk and picked up her snow globe. He shook it and stared as the fake snowflakes settled. “It’s empty.”
    She took it away from him. “Looks can be deceiving.”
    He shrugged. “I’m supposed