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“Wonderful to meet you, Mr. Frost,” she said, digging out a business card and handing it to him.

“What’s this about? I have meetings to prepare for.”

Bree smiled again. “Bluestone has been engaged by several investors to help with due diligence on projects that your company is involved in.”

He took that in. “Which investors?”

“Arcadia Fund, for one,” she said, which was true.

Frost’s brows knit. “We sent Arcadia all our documents two weeks ago.”

“Which is why I’m here,” Bree said brightly. “I just have a few questions.”

“This isn’t usually how it’s done.”

“I know, but Arcadia wants to make a decision soon.”

The developer checked his watch. “You’ve got ten minutes.”

He led her back to a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, chrome and black leather furniture, and a large wooden table with several models of developments on it.

Bree gestured to the table. “You’re busy guys.”

“We don’t let grass grow under our feet,” Frost said impatiently. “Your questions?”

“Arcadia, of course, is interested in your B Street mixed-use project,” Bree began. “But they’re wondering about things you have not disclosed.”

“Such as?”

“The recent purchases of land between the lumberyard in Southeast DC and the Anacostia River,” Bree said.

Frost was quiet for a moment. “We’re not obligated to disclose those buys.”

She had anticipated this tack. “Except as they pertain to your financials. Arcadia is a little concerned you might be spreading yourself too thin.”

“Hardly,” Frost said dismissively. “Those purchases are speculative and paid for with our personal funds.”

“So do you plan to flip or build?”

“Build,” he said. “New housing, a shopping center, and a pedestrian walkway along the river, in an area we believe is woefully neglected and underutilized.”

“Visionary,” Bree said agreeably. “But I noticed that you don’t have all the land under your control. There’s a hole there. That old off-ramp.”

Frost stiffened. “We’re working on that.”

“How so? It’s jointly owned land held by the District and the DOT.”

“The land has not been used in a decade. Both governmental agencies recognize that the ramp cannot stand there forever.”

“You’re talking to them about getting permission to buy the land and the ramp?”

“Yes, we’re negotiating to buy the land and dismantle the ramp at our own cost.”

“That won’t be cheap.”

“Nothing worth doing is cheap, Ms. Stone. Are we done?”

“Just a couple more questions. We’ve had someone check out that property, and there’s a homeless encampment there.”