Page 24 of Blame it on the Bet
“That’s not strictly true, Wally…I mean, there are higher interest loans available for higher risk applicants.”
They both turn to stare at me, wide-eyed. After all, why would I help the enemy? Maybe because I don’t want to think of her as an enemy?
Enough,Truitt! You’re not here to pick up another blonde.
You’re here to pick up a very lucrative property.
“Of course, those types of loans can take a few months to process…and you don’t have that kind of time,” I offer, putting my villain hat back on. They both seem to relax visibly with me returning to my expected role.
“Yes, that’s exactly why I didn’t mention it,” Wally says. But he and I both know he’s full of it. He’s not doing this woman any favors with his “advice.” But wait, there’s more… “Mr. Truitt,” Wally says, “if I may be so bold as to inquire…is there any circumstance under which you’d consider buying out the loan for a partnership interest?”
Oh hell. He finally considers a decent solution, and it’s one that I’m going to have to refuse, making me look worse than I already do.
Wait, wait, wait…why do I even care? I don’t. That’s the answer. I don’t care.
“Nope. Sorry,” I say with genuine regret. But Wally will not be put off.
“I’d be happy to furnish you with tax records for the business, showing you the steady stream of income?—”
I cut him off before we can get too far down this particular rabbit hole. “You see, it’s not my intention to keep the pub operating. In fact, I intend to raze the property upon purchase.”
They both gasp at the same time. I can understand how she wouldn’t see that coming, but Banker Boy over here should’ve sniffed that out a mile away.
“So…you plan to develop that parcel?” Wally ventures. “Uh, well, I am, after all, a real estate developer,” I remind him. “And I have a client very interesting in putting a movie theater complex on that corner.”
“Complex?” he repeats as if he’s misheard me.
“Yes, a twelve-screen, stadium seating Cineplex with IMAX and an underground parking structure.”
They both stare at me in stunned silence. I don’t usually like to disclose my plans this early on, but it’s time they know how serious I am about this—and how far I’ll go to make it happen.
Hennessy gets to her feet so that she’s staring down at me. Her face is bright scarlet, and she’s got her fists balled up on either side of her short skirt. Stormy blue eyes bore into me, and I’m sure she wishes she had the power to eviscerate me with them at this very moment.
“No,” she says flatly, starting to shake with rage.
“No what?” I ask, intrigued by this passion-filled, furious side of her.
“No. You won’t be doing that, Mr. Truitt, because I will not allow it.”
I sigh deeply and look at her pityingly, which only serves to piss her off even more.
“Wally,” she throws over her shoulder to the bug-eyed banker, “I’d be grateful if you’d provide me with all the loan documents signed by my father. Also the exact pay-off figures and dates. My sisters and I will raise the money we need in the allotted time, Mr. Truitt. So, may I recommend to you, once again, that you go home.”
She stomps out of the office, grabs her coat from the waiting room, and storms out of the bank with so much fury that people actually stop what they’re doing to watch her leave.
I turn back to Wally with a bright smile.
“So,Wally, where exactly, did you get your finance degree? Because I think you should ask for your money back.”
…
I walk and walk and walk the blocks in and around the town, careful to avoid the pub. Hennessy O’Halloran was pretty angry when she left the bank. That was only a couple of hours ago, and there’s a good chance she’ll hurl a blunt object at my head if I come into her sights. The memory of the two perfect circles of red on her cheeks makes me smile. I’m surprised an attorney doesn’t have a better poker face.
Okay, okay, enough of that. Time to get my act together and figure this out. Do I leave town without a sales contract and hope I can pick up the property on the back end, in foreclosure? I could do that. It would be easy, and I’ve done it a hundred times before. It’s just that…
What? What, what, what?
I’m frustrated at my inability to reconcile what I know I should do with what I want to do. I should go home. I should focus on my other clients and deals. I mean, what reason do I have to stay here? She’s not going to sell unless she absolutely has to, that much I’m sure of. And she’s not going to be able to raise enough cash to pay off the loan. I’m also quite sure of that.
