CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
(part four)

“Why would we want to support someone like that?” Jacob asked.

“If you don’t buy it, what happens?” Valerie asked.

“Someone else will,” Jacob said. “There’s a lot of scrape and rebuild in that neighborhood right now.”

“Would you like to refurbish his house?”

The gleam in Valerie’s eye made Jacob look her up and down.

“Not a chance, psychic boy. I still know how to keep you out of my head,” Valerie said. “Use your words.”

“No, these houses were built by the Air Force during or right after World War II. They have some neat details – coved ceilings, red oak piece floors – and are solidly constructed.”

“But?” Valerie asked.

“They don’t inspire me at all. And we have plenty of rehab work. The phone’s been ringing off the hook since Jill’s started working with us. We have a waiting list for most of this year and some of next.”

“That’s why it’s taken me so long to get to Katy’s room,” Mike said to Valerie.

“What happens if we don’t buy the house?” Valerie asked.

“Someone will buy it,” Jacob said. “That’s the point. It’s a great deal. We could scrape the building in two hours and resell the lot for double what we bought it for. With the media attention and FBI presence, the house is tainted. The agent said they won’t be able to sell the house to homeowners after yesterday’s media coverage. I guess most of the pornography was filmed in that house.”

Mike grunted with disgust.

“So we could buy the house….”

“We?” Jacob asked.

“Shush,” Valerie said. “We could buy the house, scrape it, then hold onto it until the drama goes away. When do they want the check?”

“But Valerie, we’re supporting this asshole’s defense! We’d be…”

“Someone else will. Why not us?”

Valerie clapped her hands together with glee. Mike and Jacob looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“How fast can you get ownership?” Valerie asked.

“The agent says she can provide a detailed property search showing ownership and liability claims. If we do a quit claim? We can have possession by the end of the day today. Then thirty days until all the paperwork is filed through the courts.”

“But you can modify the house on a quit claim?”

“Sure,” Jacob said. “Why? What are you up to?”

“We leave tomorrow at noon. Can you do it before then?”

“I…”

“Don’t be a baby, Jake! Trust me! This is going to be fun!”

Jacob glanced at Mike. Mike shrugged his shoulders. They both looked at Valerie. She was counting something on her fingers. When she caught their look, she dropped her fingers and gave them her movie star smile.

“I do have my own money, you know. I could buy it myself…” Valerie’s voice mocked Jacob. “I mean, if you’re too chicken.”

“Very funny,” Jacob said. “You need to come in to Lipson to work today and tomorrow before you leave. We have to make decisions about what to do without Aden.”

“Fine,” Valerie said. “I will work long and hard today and tomorrow. Anything else?”

“What are you planning?” Mike asked.

Valerie gave him a little girl smile and he shook his head.

“This is not going to be good,” Mike said.

“Go on, Jake. Make the call! We’ll wait right here.”

While his eyes puzzled over Valerie’s face, Jacob redialed the agent on his blackberry.

“Not good at all.”

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….