Our jaws dropped, and our eyes bugged out. It was insane.
"I don't have that kind of cash," Mickey said.
"Consider it a 10% finder’s fee.”
"I can pay you on the back end.”
Red scoffed. "There's no such thing as the backend. Cash upfront, or no deal.”
"There's no way to get that kind of cash today," I said.
“That sounds like your problem, not mine.”
"Katie, don't you think you’re being a little unreasonable?" Kylie said.
Katie glared at her. "I'm being perfectly reasonable.“
"That was Dad's book. Half of it belongs to me.”
"Your dumb ass was going to sell it for five dollars. There's a reason that Dad didn’t trust you to make financial decisions."
Kylie glared at her.
“Keep your mouth shut, and you'll never have to work again for the rest of your life,” Katie said to her.
“How can we make this work?” I asked. “A life is at stake.”
“Come up with $15 million.”
“That’s not going to happen today.”
“Then you’re not getting the book.”
“We just need to look at it.”
“Did I mention we’re willing to throw in the lizard?” Flynn said.
“I don’t want the lizard.” She glared at him.
“The lizard talks…” Flynn sang, trying to entice her.
She gave him a look of disbelief.
“Please, I’m begging you,” Mickey pleaded.
“Well, you know what it’s going to take to get this deal done.” She moved to another table, set the box down, then pulled out the copy of Treasure Island. “You know where to find me when you’ve got the money.”
She smiled and waved the book as she strutted away. Katie stepped out through the pedestrian door, taking shelter under the covered breezeway as she walked to the back door and stepped inside.
Kylie scrunched her face. "I'm sorry about that. Katie can be… difficult at times."
"It’s not your fault.”
She looked at Flynn. "I don't think you're a has-been."
He smiled. "Why, thank you."
"Actually, I kind of liked Fool’s Paradise."
