Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
His face had gone still. “If I invested like that,” he said slowly, “I’d have to fly.”
The statement emerged like a confession.
She wasn’t sure if he’d been to see Smitty yet, but that could wait. Right now, she needed him to sign on so her money had a safe landing place. “I can meet with the bank. I could leverage Sam’s Tavern and also use the cash I’ve saved.”
He cocked his head. “Shouldn’t you run big plans like this by your fiancé? I mean you no offense, but I don’t want to be business partners with Jarod Teller.”
“No. This would be my enterprise, only. I promise that Jarod won’t be involved in the slightest.” Her voice stayed steady. “We can make this work. I know we can.”
Ace stayed quiet for several moments, studying her. No doubt seeing more than she wanted him to about her personal life. But unlike his brother, he didn’t probe. Finally, he nodded once. “All right. It’s a deal.” He reached out and clasped her hand.
She barely kept from squealing as they shook on it. This wasn’t just a distraction or an excuse. It was a solid business move. Sure, this would tie up every dollar she had so Jarod couldn’t get near it, but the plan also had real potential. She could actually turn a profit, and Ace might find his way back into the air.
Numbers started flying through her head about the amount she could afford to put down, what she could leverage, and how fast they could get the permits in place. Then she turned toward the kitchen with its door ajar. “Daisy? You can come out now. I know you’re listening.”
Daisy stepped out, eyes wide, trying way too hard to look innocent. “What?”
“Oh shut up. You heard everything.” Amka made sure the coffee appeared fresh in the pot. “Will you please draw up the papers?”
“Absolutely,” Daisy said, already glancing around. “We’re not busy. I can head back to my office and do it now.”
Ace turned to look at the far corner behind the bar and tilted his head. “Is that your diploma on the wall?”
Daisey tossed her notepad on the bar. “Yeah. That corner’s my office.”
“Go for it,” Amka said. “I appreciate it.”
Daisy smiled wide and took a few steps, then paused. “Oh, and your will and prenup are ready.”
Amka’s stomach sank just a little.
Daisy glanced sideways at Ace. “Oops. Sorry. I should’ve whispered that.”
“No, it’s okay,” Amka said quickly. But truthfully, she kind of wished she had whispered it. Maybe having her attorney work ten feet from the drink taps wasn’t the best setup after all.
“I’ll get on it.” Daisy moved around the bar, already humming to herself.
Ace watched her go, before focusing back on Amka. “Prenup?”
“It just makes sense.” Amka kept her tone even. “I’m a smart businesswoman.”
Ace lifted his chin. “You’re not wrong. I think you just talked me into a business I don’t even want.”
“Too late,” Amka said cheerfully, just as the front door opened.
Two Alaska State Troopers walked in, both in full uniform.
She straightened as they took seats at the bar, trying to keep her steps casual as she walked down to meet them. “Hi. Welcome to Sam’s. Can I get you anything to eat?”
“Coffee,” they both said.
“I’m Trooper Paige Johnson,” said the woman who appeared to be in her forties in excellent shape. She had sharp light-green eyes and dark red hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun. She removed her hat and set it on the bar. “And this is Trooper Jeb Pontevo,” she added with a nod toward her partner, a man who looked to be in his late sixties, if not older, with cold brown eyes and a square jaw that hadn’t softened with age. “He’s our expert in arson. You’re Amka?”
“Yeah,” Amka said carefully. Why did she feel like she’d done something wrong?
“We’d like to talk to you about the fire,” Trooper Johnson said. “And the shooting last night.”
They’d arrived faster than expected. She hadn’t even heard the plane. “Of course. I’ll tell you anything I can. But the sheriff’s on it, and there are two AWT officers in town. Sort of. One’s in training.”
“That’s fine,” Johnson replied. “We like to do our own digging.”
“As do I.” A woman who’d been nursing a soda by the door moved off her stool and walked toward them, tossing a business card across the bar. “I’m Helene Stanford from Northside Insurance. We hold the policy on the building that was burned down.”
Johnson arched one eyebrow. “Someone made an insurance claim already? That was quick.” She turned back toward Amka, her eyes glittering.
Helene nodded. “Yes. A Sheldon Friday called it in already. I interviewed him earlier today.”
Stupid Sheldon. Amka stared at the insurance adjuster for a moment. “I remember you from a couple of years ago. You were the adjuster for the motel that burned as well, right?”