“Right.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “I know you’re not after a story, but I might have something for you.”
“Pft. If it’s Moose Creek related, I doubt it.”
“How do you feel about corrupt city officials?”
This time, the silence was punctuated with interest. “Tell me more.”
Tucking her legs up under her, Maggie related the story, from the moment she’d seen the ad in The Matchmaker to when Cash had driven away, including every trick Murdock tried to ruin their chances. “Do you think there’s anything there?”
“Let me dig into it. But … yes. I can’t promise that you’ll get your house back, but if what you suspect is true, then Murdock will no longer serve the people of Moose Creek.”
She sagged with relief. “I’m not looking for revenge—I just want our house.”
“I know. We’ll see how it shuffles out.”
“Thanks, Jennifer.”
“When can you come up for a visit? We need a serious girls’ night to talk about your man.”
For the first time in days, Maggie warmed. “How about Friday?”
Chapter 28
“It’s fifty-five and five-eighths,” Cash called down the hall to Harry, who was measuring studs and cutting them in the other room. This small space couldn’t hold the table saw.
“Boss—you got a visitor,” called Cal.
Cash’s heart leapt as it did anytime someone out of the blue showed up. It happened more often than he’d ever thought it would on the job site. The crunch of tires on asphalt hadn’t registered with him before; now he couldn’tnothear it as every part of him longed for Maggie to come back.
Instead of Maggie’s messy hair and adorable nose, he found himself staring into a television camera. “What the …” He covered his face from the light.
“Cash Diamante, what can you tell us about Mark Murdock’s supposed illegal activities in relation to your house?” asked Jennifer.
Cash bit back the curse words that sprang to mind to describe the man who had stolen his family’s house. “Excuse me?” He craned his neck to see Maggie’s reporter friend standing with a mic in her hand.
“Murdock has been removed from public office due to his illegal activity, some of which is linked to your house. Do you have a comment?” She grinned like she was delivering good news.
As the words sank in, Cash’s arms with numb in shock. He dropped his tape measure to the floor with a thunk. “Say that again.”
Jennifer stepped forward and sliced her hand across her throat, telling the camera guy to turn it off. The light went dark, and she smiled at Cash. “It’s our lead story tonight. Citywide corruption and all that.”
“Mr. Diamante!” Goodall came running into the impossibly small space, his tie thrown over his shoulder. He pressed passed the cameraman, who grunted at being jostled. They were pressing the fire marshal’s occupancy rules in this small office space.
Cash put a hand on his arm. “Breathe, man.”
Mr. Goodall gasped as if he’d run clear from his office. “The city renounced their claim on your home. The homestead is yours.”
If Cash hadn’t already dropped everything in his hands, he would have done so at that announcement. “You’re kidding.”
Mr. Goodall slapped him on the back. “They called ten minutes ago. Apparently, they got some bad press.” He winked at Jennifer.
She lifted both her hands. “The power of the press at work.”
Cash laughed.
“What’s going on boss?” James asked from the doorway. The crew gathered behind him.
Cash glanced around at the people who’d gathered to tell him the good news. His heart dropped. The one face he wanted to see wasn’t there.
