David looked across at the old building and shook his head. The faulty brickwork, which was there for everyone to see, was the least of the structural problems. The earthquake had made the 130-year-old building a death trap. Shame other people refused to see it that way. From his vantage point in the ultra modern offices across the road he could see the cracks radiating out from the windows where the boney old lime mortar had crumbled, threatening the integrity of the old double-brick building. Another shake and David was convinced it would be reduced to rubble.
Angus, his business partner, came and stood beside him and followed his gaze. “Someone told me the other day that we should strengthen it—repoint the mortar, add steel structure within the building to reinforce the whole thing.” He swore under his breath. “I told him not to waste his breath. That we didn’t operate like that.”
“If we spent on it what it was worth, it wouldn’t see out the next earthquake. And I’m not having any building of mine come crashing down on innocent men, women and children.”
Angus turned to him, sympathy in his eyes. David hated sympathy and hated the fact he’d given himself away yet again.
“You can’t turn the clock back, David. You can’t help Zoe now.”
Maybe not, but he could try to alleviate the guilt, which was his constant companion since the accident. It should have been him in that building, not Zoe.
“No, but I can damn well make sure that it never happens to anyone else.” He jerked his head to the old building opposite, which had only just withstood the last major earthquake in Christchurch. “That building is coming down and I don’t care how many demonstrations we have to call the cops in for, how many rainbows we have to remove.” He sighed at the thought of the new rainbow which had popped up, seemingly overnight. He glanced at it now—the colors were beautiful. No bright primaries this time but muted shades drifting into each other like the subtle colors of a slowing growing sunset until the outer edges flared to deepest red.
“They must have got someone else to paint them instead of that red-headed girl. It looks different this time. The colors are different.”
David scanned his emails and closed the laptop with a definitive snap.
“No, it’s the same artist.”
“How do you know?”
“I saw her working on it.”
“And you didn’t stop her?”
“There was no point.” David glanced at the rainbow. Amber must have used a ladder to reach the top of the wall, knowing it could be seen from any angle, including the head office of the development company over the road. He came and stood beside Angus once more.
“And why’s that?”
“Because she’d simply come back tomorrow, when I’m not here, and repeat the process.” He turned to Angus. “No, this requires a different approach.”
“And what’s that?”
“A subtle one.”
Angus grunted a cynical laugh. “Subtle? You? That’s never exactly been your forte, David.”
“Maybe not. But I’m working on it.” He scooped up his phone from the table and walked to the door. “See you later.”
He left the building, as he usually did, through the basement where he got into his car. He exited the narrow alley and then drove directly onto the motorway. There was no public access, so privacy had easily been retained. No one knew of his association with the property company which was knocking down so many of the old inner city buildings, replacing them with modern works of art.
He didn’t care for publicity, and he especially didn’t care for Amber Connelly to know what he did for a living. It would jeopardize everything. First, he needed her to convince EarthFoods to stop creating adverse publicity to his demolition plans and accept the relocation to a modern commercial complex in the suburbs. Then, well, it would all be over anyway. He’d have what he wanted—a secure building which would ensure there would be no repeat of the disaster which had ended up with his sister becoming paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
He’d hoped the council would write it off for demolition, but it seemed it didn’t meet their criteria. Which, in David’s opinion, was far too wide. David couldn’t look at any of these old buildings without a feeling of nausea and dread filling him. He’d step in if he had to, if the council’s regulations didn’t allow them to demolish. If that meant treading on a few toes, lying by omission, then so be it. It was a small price to pay.
“Here he is!”exclaimed Jim, too heartily. Everyone turned around to see David slam the car door and walk toward the verandah steps. Jim stepped forward and greeted David with a shake of the hand. “Good to see you, David. Now, let me introduce you to everybody.”
Everyone turned to look at David who, Amber thought, looked exceptionally handsome in his white shirt and stone-colored chinos. Smarter than any of her brothers and with a machismo to rival even Max, who wore his manliness like a badge of honor. David didn’t alter his stance or respond in any way to Max’s physical challenge. Most men did. Amber liked it that David didn’t feel the need. Max took a step forward and Amber tried to move between them, but the table was in the way.
But, before Max could reach David and any intimidation could occur, Max’s wife, Laura, jumped in front and extended her hand to David.
“David!” said Laura. “How lovely to meet you. We’ve heard all about you from Amber.”
Laura momentarily turned her brilliant smile from David to Amber, winked, and then turned to David once more. Amber loved that Laura was watching out for her, trying to smooth the way between Amber’s over-protective brothers and David. But Laura was totally gorgeous—blonde, sexy, and fun—and Amber definitely felt in her shade.
But, apart from returning Laura’s polite greeting, David didn’t seem to pay her much attention. Instead, he followed Laura’s gaze to Amber and smiled. Amber smiled back and sighed as the warmth of his expression filled every inch of her. It wasn’t until Gabe cleared his throat and then nudged her that she realized someone had been talking and neither of them had heard.
“David!” she said. A path suddenly cleared in front of her. He stepped forward and took her hand. “Thanks for coming.”
