“Yes, of course.” He considered including Max. It was probably a good idea. He was the numbers guy. “There is another person who we should include in our meeting. Congressman Maxwell Hawthorne. Sunnydale has a location in his district.”
“Yes, I am aware. If we can meet within the next forty-eight hours, and come to a verbal agreement, I would like to tour the location in Florida over the next few days.”
“That should work for us. I’ll get in touch with Max. When and where do you want to meet?”
“My office, say, Wednesday evening? I’ll be tied up rather late. Do you mind if we meet after dinner? Say, nine?”
“Perfect.” Gerber could barely contain his excitement.
“We will expect all parties to sign a nondisclosure agreement regarding the details of our meeting.”
“Absolutely!” Gerber could not be more pleased with the prospect of carrying on with his current lifestyle.
“Fine. I look forward to it. Thank you.” Before she hung up, she gave him her address, then made a note to check her office audio equipment so she could record any incriminating information they would put forth.
Max answered his private line with a grunt. “Yeah.”
“Remember that miracle we were hoping for?” Spencer’s voice was bubbly.
“What are you talking about?” Max was totally fed up with Spencer and his addled brain.
“Have you heard of Rutledge Enterprises?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“They are looking to invest money. In Sunnydale.”
“What?” Max was incredulous. “Who?”
“A woman named Nikki Quinn. She represents the family, and they are impressed with our operation. She said it is a model of future communities. Or something like that. Whatever. She’s got quite a bit of money to throw around. She wants us to meet in her office Wednesday at nine p.m.”
“Are you sure this isn’t some kind of scheme?” said one schemer to another.
“Doesn’t sound like it. I checked the website. The company is rolling in the green.”
Max was not convinced that a fairy godmother had appeared, but he had nothing more to lose at this point. He knew his marriage was already gone. It was simply a matter of ironing out the ugly details. He wondered which one of them—he, or Karen—would make the first move. He knew if he did, she would have a hissy fit. Maybe he should wait for her to approach the subject, which was possible if confronted with an empty pocketbook. He could no longer provide the essentials. Her extracurricular activity of overspending would have to end or find another source. Right now, he may have a way out of the Sunnydale situation. That would be his exit ramp. “Alright. Give me the info.”
Gerber gave him the address and got off the phone. The excitement caused a bulge in Spencer’s pants. He wondered what Karen was doing at the moment.
Theresa was happy to hear from Annie. Annie explained that Theresa’s trio would be needed on Wednesday evening. “If they ask why, tell them you’re not sure, but instructions are forthcoming.”
“Whatever you say,” Theresa responded.
Annie smiled. It was almost as good as the Sisterhood cry, “Whatever it takes.” She knew she could trust Theresa to stick to the plan, once things were decided.
Theresa, Henry, and Frida had made plans to go to Cave Butte to watch a hot-air balloon event. Theresa phoned Henry and told him she was on her way, and that she was going to use the name “Terry” at the security gate. She donned the wig and her sun hat and proceeded to Sunnydale. Earlier, they had decided to take Theresa’s vehicle. It could withstand a more rugged terrain. Not that they planned to do any off-road excursions, but it was more conducive to sightseeing from the inside of the SUV.
When she arrived at the security gate, she kept her sunglasses on and the brim of her hat close to her nose. She was being cautious. Not that it would be a big deal if the guard recognized her, but why mess with fate? She kept her head cocked to the left and announced, “Hi. Terry visiting Henry Pushkin.”
The guard took no time in phoning Henry. “A Terry is here to see you.” The guard pressed the lift button. “Do you know where he lives?”
“Yep. Thanks! Have a nice day.” Theresa continued to look away from him.
She drove around to the parking area behind the cypress trees that separated the lot from the duplexes.
Henry answered the door and balked. “Terry?”
Theresa quickly slithered past him. Frida looked on with surprise. “Oh for. What’s this?” Her Minnesota accent came through.
