Luke thought back over the past months with Claire, back to before the vandalism on her flip. The weekend before they came back to find her house trashed they’d been at the opening on the 609 West building. He remembered the condescending way Ed Samson had gone after Claire and the expression on the man’s face right before Luke broke his nose. But Samson had been drunk and surely he’d hold that against Luke and not Claire.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” he said. “I can’t imagine him doing anything illegal, but I don’t think Ed Samson is her biggest fan.”
“It’s a place to start.”
CLAIRE STEPPED BACK to look at the run of cabinets. At the speed they were moving with the install, she and her guys would be ready for the countertop fabricator to measure by the end of the day – first thing in the morning at the latest. Mike was finishing up the electrical upstairs and she had two guys hanging fixtures and mounting outlets on the main floor. The rest of her crew was painting and doing the odd bits of finishing jobs which seemed never ending.
Still at the rate things were going, they could be done as early as the following Friday. As soon as she got the CO, she could list the property and schedule the open house. With the added costs, she might not turn a profit, but she should at least make back her investment. It was a lot of work to just break even, but at this point, she’d be happy to stop hemorrhaging money. There would be other houses to flip and with the commercial side of the business looking up, it would only be a matter of time before she was back on track.
“That looks good, Jesse,” she said dragging her thoughts back to the job at hand. “Let’s get the island cabinets set next.”
Jesse looked up from where he knelt on the floor, adjusting the bun feet in front of the recessed toe kick. He nodded and then his eyes went wide at something behind her. Claire looked over her shoulder in time to see Detective Benson coming into the kitchen followed by one of the detectives from the night Pete fell. Claire couldn’t remember his name, but she’d never forget his face.
“Ms. English,” said Benson. “This is a nice place you have here. Decent neighborhood too.”
“Thank you, Detective. Are you on the market for a new place?”
Smiling anI’m harmlesssmile, Benson shook his head. “I’m actually looking for a Michael Ramirez. He works for you?”
He phrased it as a question, but Claire knew he already knew the answer. “Has something happened?” The idea of the police focusing their attention on Mike made her stomach tighten. She knew that until they had better leads, she and her crew were at the top of their list, but she didn’t have to like it. Mike loved Pete and he was a stand up family man. He’d never be involved with anything shady.
“We’d just like to ask Mr. Ramirez a few questions. Can you tell me where to find him?” The detective’s tone was friendly and accommodating but his eyes flashed with a determination that made Claire think he’d be singing a much different tune if he was pushed.
“He’s upstairs. I’ll show you,” she said but before she’d finished speaking, the detectives had turned and were headed for the stairs.
Claire followed along behind. She didn’t want Mike to have to deal with them on his own. He was crouched on the floor in the second bedroom, mounting outlets boxes along the wall. He glanced up when he heard them come in, looking concerned when he saw the detectives.
“Mr. Ramirez?” asked Benson.
Mike nodded, getting to his feet and looking worried. “Yes.”
“We’d like you to come down to the station to answer a few questions for us.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“No,” said Benson. “We just need some information.”
“I’ll call Luke’s attorney,” said Claire, stepping around the detectives. “You don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to.” She was pretty sure that was true and when the detectives didn’t step in to correct her, she figured she’d guessed right.
“No,” said Mike, unfastening his tool belt. “I’ll go. I don’t have anything to hide.”
Detective Benson motioned to the doorway and Mike handed Claire his tool belt.
“I’ll call Luke,” she said, and he nodded before walking out the door, with Benson and the other detective following behind.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Luke’s number, tapping her foot in frustration as she waited for the call to connect. Colin answered on the third ring.
“Ms. English,” he started but she interrupted him before he could go on.
“I need him, Colin. Can you put me through?”
“Of course.”
Claire heard two clicks and then Luke picked up.
“What’s wrong, Claire?” he asked, sounding worried.
“The police came. Benson and that other guy with the dark hair. They took Mike in for questioning. Can you call Mason for me, please? I’ll pay whatever he charges, but I don’t want Mike to have to deal with this alone.”
