Cold Highway: Ellie Kline Series: Book Four

by Stone, Mary

  “Ever since they found Charity, I keep thinking if I’d told my parents about the letters…” Hope cleared her throat and sniffed, turning away as she gathered her composure.

  “They wouldn’t have found her.” Clay’s voice was low and gentle. “Your sister moved around a lot, and she probably dropped a letter in the nearest mailbox on her way out of town.”

  Hope nodded, hands folded tightly together. “You’re probably right. I didn’t think about postmarks, so I didn’t save the envelopes. I wish I had.”

  “Knowing where she’d been would help us, but because of her phone, we have a pretty clear picture of your sister’s movements before her death.” Clay leaned back, tablet poised on his lap so he could take notes. “Is there anything Charity said to you in those letters that stood out? Did she mention a boyfriend or anything like that?”

  Hope shook her head. “No boyfriend, but I got a letter a couple days after she called here, asking Mom if she could come home.”

  “Which letter?” Ellie asked.

  Hope took a letter from the pile and handed it to Ellie. “She was scared. Some of her friends had disappeared. Charity said they would trade favors for rides and food and stuff.” Hope shook her head. “I was just a kid, so I didn’t realize she meant sex. But that’s what she meant. Anyway, Charity wrote me about how scared everyone was, and that she was going to try to come home, but hitching rides with truckers was the only way she could get anywhere. She promised me she would be careful and only ride with someone who seemed safe and didn’t want anything from her.”

  “To ease your mind a bit, we are delving into the idea of a trucker.”

  Hope closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Do you think that’s what happened to her?” She stood suddenly, fists balled up tight, eyes narrowed. “If only she’d just let Mom and Dad come get her. She was alive, but she wouldn’t let them help her. She was always so stubborn, and now she’s gone.”

  Hope’s anger filled the room before she collapsed into the chair and buried her face in her hands.

  Ellie’s eyes grew warm with unshed tears. Before she could reach out to Hope, Lyle Parker was in the living room, rushing to his daughter.

  He wrapped his arms around her and glared at them over the top of Hope’s head. “Charity’s been dead for twelve years and not knowing is tearing us apart. You find who did this to my baby girl. Promise me that you won’t stop until he’s found.”

  “We won’t stop until this case is solved.” Clay held out his hand and Lyle took it, eyeing the agent, his other arm still holding a sobbing Hope against his chest. “You have my word on that.”

  11

  Nick leaned back in his office chair, stretching. He started to put his feet up on the desk, inhaled the scent of fresh lemon wood oil, and thought better of it. The lavish office in his father’s building was treated to a deep cleaning several times a week, and he was loath to mar the carefully polished desk surface despite how stiff his legs were from sitting all day. He’d worked right through lunch, so focused on wrapping up for the week that he hadn’t wanted to waste a minute.

  The muffled whir of a vacuum in the main office beyond his door made him realize how late it was. The secretary had offered to stay a while ago, but Nick had dismissed her.

  Turning back to the computer screen, the lines of data blurred together. He shook his head. He’d been at his desk for over eight hours, making sure the files his father’s accountant had sent over were accurate. He sighed. There was no getting around it now. Vincent Greene’s business was doing even better since a consulting firm had been brought in to help streamline operations. They had done their job, whipping the conglomerate into shape.

  With a few keystrokes, he sent the data he’d compiled on a spreadsheet to the printer, less than eager to share the news with his father. The company was raking in profits, but Vincent Greene wasn’t going to be happy to sell and retire, though he’d been waiting for just that. Nick had known that his father wouldn’t be able to let go of control if there was the slightest chance the manufacturing conglomerate might fail, so he’d convinced his father to bring in an outside consultant. And it had paid off. His father was going to be sad to leave the company he loved, and Nick couldn’t blame him. Still, he wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.

  The shrill ring of the landline phone split the air.

  Nick sat up straight, hoping it wasn’t his father. But the familiar number was a welcome distraction that pulled Nick out of his musings and put a smile on his face. He snatched up the handset and tucked the phone against his chin.

  “Paul. It’s nice to hear from you. What’s up?”

  “I’ve found another property.” Paul got right to the point, his deep voice tinged with excitement. “Have you heard of the Mount Pleasant Wellness Club?”

  “No, but I’m not surprised. There are so many places on the market in South Carolina, it’s hard to keep track of them all.”

  Paul gave a short laugh. “Nick, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You have quite an eye for a good bargain.”

  “Thank you.” His chest swelled with pride. Paul wasn’t one to be quick with compliments, and Nick was eager to prove that he was more than just a wealthy heir. He had aspirations outside of his father’s business dealings, and Paul Strong’s mentorship meant the world to him. “Did it go under?”

  “The spa failed before the first guest had a chance to book a retreat, but I’m not concerned about that. The project was poorly funded. This is a fantastic opportunity, with the perfect location. I was nearby, so I took a tour today, and it’s just what we’re looking for. Large property surrounded by trees, close to a highway but well away from traffic noise. Plenty of water close by.” Paul knew his real estate and never failed to amaze Nick with his eye to detail. “A near constant breeze and completely shut off from the outside world. I sent a link to your email. Want to take a look at the drone photos and tell me what you think?”

  Nick’s heart beat faster as he opened the message and clicked on the link. An aerial view of the twenty-acre property loaded on the computer screen; a sprawling resort hotel fashioned to resemble a castle. The gray stone walls blended perfectly with the surrounding landscape, which was an eclectic mix of water features, tree-lined paths, and a full golf course. There was also what looked like a pool, though the developer had obviously stopped mid-construction.

  Nick scrolled through the realtor’s photos, his excitement growing with each click of the mouse. “This place looks fantastic, and the price is right.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  The comment gave Nick pause. “What do you mean?”

  “My lawyer called me a few minutes ago.” He cleared his throat.

  Nick frowned. “Is something wrong?”

  “No. Not really. It’s just that my attorney reminded me that I’ve been the one to provide the majority of upfront cash, and he’s concerned that…”

  “That your partner isn’t pulling his weight?” Nick finished for him. Dammit. That was a punch to the balls.

  “Well, let’s just say that he believes I’m spreading my assets too thin.” Paul poo-pooed in a tone that let Nick know he thought of his attorney as the hired help. “I have an appointment with him, but I spoke with the realtor. The property is set to go to auction Monday morning if no one buys it before then.”

  “Today’s Friday. We’re cutting it a little close.”

  Paul chuckled softly. “I’m well aware of that, which is why I’m calling you. Would you be willing to purchase the property on behalf of our LLC? Once the renovations are complete on the other properties and they start seeing profits, we’ll be able to use our equity to make more purchases. Until then, our choices are limited.”

  Nick hesitated. He half expected Paul to press the issue, but the line remained silent while Nick worked through his options. He scanned the pictures again, breath quickening as the beauty unfolded in front of him. The property was listed for far l
ess than it should’ve been, given the exclusive area. And the fact that the main building was complete and unused was a huge selling point. They wouldn’t spend much money bringing it up to code and furnishing the rooms, and the swimming pool looked close to completion too.

  “Of course. I understand.” Nick smiled as his heart soared. He was on his way to making his own fortune and name in this world. “Gotta spend money to make money, right?”

  “Only if you do it prudently.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” He could handle it, no problem. “I’ll call the agent as soon as we’re off the phone and get the ball rolling.”

  “Can you email her and copy me instead? I’ve already spoken to her, and I don’t want there to be any confusion about my involvement. I’d hate to have her fib and say the property isn’t available because she’s trying to hold it for me and my partner.”

  Nick smiled at the mention of partner. He never tired of hearing it, especially from a man as respected as Paul Strong. “Yes, of course.”

  “Let her know I spoke with her and you’re my business partner. She’s expecting your email. She said she’d be in the office for another hour.”

  “Got it.” Nick clicked on the link for the realtor’s email and typed Paul Strong’s email address into the CC field.

  “We’ll speak soon, Nick. Thank you.”

  Nick hung up, quickly composing an email. Moments after sending the message off, his office phone rang. “This is Nick Greene.”

  “Mr. Greene, I’ve been expecting to hear from you. This is Patty Duncan. Mr. Strong told me you’d be interested in the Mount Pleasant property.”

  Nick leaned back in his chair, pulling his notepad to the edge of the desk so he could take notes. “Yes. He said it was meant to be a wellness resort. Can you tell me anything else about the place?”

  “I sure can.” Her voice was warm and friendly, almost bubbly. Nick instantly liked her. “The property is very nice. Almost eleven acres, completely walled in. The surrounding wall is hidden by trees, giving the illusion of seclusion and providing a sound barrier.”

  “What about the buildings on the property? I’ve looked through the pictures, but I’m concerned about the construction history. Were all the proper permits pulled initially? Are the buildings up to the current code as they stand now? Is this area zoned for a resort or will I have to petition to have it rezoned? I don’t want to trap myself in a money pit if I can help it.”

  “These are all excellent questions. I’ve already covered them with Mr. Strong, but I’ll be happy to go over the details with you as well. The construction company hired for the initial build was completely on the up and up and has a solid reputation in the industry. New permits will need to be pulled since unused permits expire after six months. I’ll include the construction company’s contact information in the closing documents should you choose to use them to make any upgrades.” She paused and hummed her disapproval. “My apologies for not having that information available right now. My assistant is out sick, and as you can imagine, things are a little hectic. Let’s see, what else? You asked about zoning. The area is zoned commercial, which covers resorts as well as larger rental properties.”

  The tension eased from his shoulders. “Sounds like everything is covered. What about the main building’s capacity? I don’t see that information on the listing.”

  “The hotel is modern and holds up to fifty overnight guests.”

  Nick frowned, pulling up the photo of the large castle-like building again. “The main building appears to be large enough for more than double that many. A capacity of only fifty is a little small for a resort of that size, isn’t it?”

  “It’s meant to be an exclusive venue, and part of the allure of the original design was the uncrowded feel. Resorts like this typically hold up to two hundred guests, drawing clients in with a much smaller fee. With this resort, the small number of rooms is the main selling point, ensuring visitors don’t have to wade through throngs of vacationers. Clients who want that level of privacy tend to be willing to pay far more for the experience than your average guest.” She gave a soft laugh. “Of course, you can do with it what you want, but the resort is already set up, so why waste money making expensive alterations, right?”

  “Makes sense. This property fits what we’re looking for to a T. Some of the real estate we’ve acquired is best suited for resorts, but we’re also planning a few residential communities that are all inclusive.”

  “That sounds intriguing.”

  Nick didn’t usually share the details of what he and Paul planned for these properties, but Patty Duncan was one of Paul’s most trusted real estate agents, not the competition. Her interest in their projects encouraged him to continue.

  “People are so busy, having a planned community where they can pay one flat fee monthly and have their needs provided for is an attractive option. Everything from keeping basic household supplies stocked to a dining hall that serves gourmet food throughout the day. This resort property wasn’t even on our radar, so Paul and I are still working out the possibilities. But he was really excited about this listing, and we don’t want to let a prime opportunity slip through our fingers.”

  “Smart man.” Patty’s voice dropped a notch until her tone was almost husky. “So, what do you think? Am I taking it out of Monday’s auction?”

  Nick used the mouse to scroll through the pictures again. The land was gorgeous, and the location on Evalina Street put it near the Wando River and a short distance from the Isle of Palms. Even at three point two million dollars, the place was a steal.

  Nick’s cheeks puffed out as he released the breath he’d been holding. Dammit, it was time he took a risk, and this didn’t even seem like much of a risk, not if Paul was in. He slapped his hand down on his desk. “Let’s do this.”

  Patty Duncan’s warm laughter filled his ear. “Wonderful. I’ll need a twenty percent down payment, which is six hundred and forty thousand.”

  Nick hesitated. “We’ve been putting down ten percent. Why twenty?”

  “It’s Duncan Real Estate’s policy that all properties going to auction be secured with twenty percent down.” She let out a soft, flirty giggle. “I have an in with the owner, so I can reduce that to say, five hundred thousand.”

  His gaze went to the clock. “I’m not sure I can get ahold of the bank manager in time to approve a transfer that large. Would you take fifty thousand until Monday, then I’ll head to the bank and take care of the rest.”

  His chest tightened as he waited for an answer. She was silent for so long, he was sure she was going to tell him she couldn’t make an exception. He decided to let caution fly. He needed to play big to be big. “You know what, let me try to get it done. I’ll give you a call back.”

  “Of course.”

  Nick’s smile widened until his cheeks ached. He was really doing this. Logging into his account, he created the transfer. Almost as soon as he pushed the button to send the money, his cell phone rang. “Like clockwork,” he chuckled as he answered.

  “Mr. Greene, this is Martha Stiller from Charleston First Financial. I’m calling to confirm a large transfer from your account to Duncan Enterprises LLC in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars.”

  His heart did an about-face in his chest. Five hundred thousand was far from the largest sum he’d authorized through his father’s corporation, but this time, the money on the line was his own. The resulting rush of adrenaline had him grinning. “That is correct, Martha.”

  “I’ll need your passcode.”

  He gave it, and the clicking of Martha’s keyboard tickled his ear as she keyed in his code.

  “You’re all set, Mr. Greene. It’s a pleasure doing business with you, and as always, thank you for banking with Charleston First Financial.”

  “Have a great weekend, Martha.”

  “You too, Nick.”

  Nick chuckled at her familiarity. He and Martha had graduated together, and he was al
ways taken aback when the petite brunette with the quick smile referred to him by his surname. But formality was part of her job as a banker, and he preferred working with people he knew. Especially when it came to money.

  There were so many scams, and every day people were being robbed of their hard-earned money online. Doing business with people like Martha and Paul set him at ease, which was no small feat considering the amount of money he’d just spent on an abandoned property. But the potential was worth the risk.

  Nick packed his laptop in his bag with a grin on his face, heart still racing with excitement. Business was going well, and Nick was feeling full of himself.

  He strode down the hall and into the elevator, the freshly buffed tile floor shiny beneath his feet. The office building his father ran the family business from was finely decorated, right down to the smallest detail. The east elevator, which served the parking garage, was covered with French-inspired wallpaper. Blue ink drawings on a cream background featured dozens of nineteenth century businessmen in various scenes that were simple yet elegant.

  Whoever had installed the wall treatment had been so meticulous, the drawing of a man in a top hat reaching upward with a lantern lined up perfectly with the wall sconce shaped to look like a flickering torch. A torch that might light another, as there were four men in all—one in each corner, each holding a flame up to the heavens.

  Nick was going to miss working in this building, but now that his own business venture was taking off, he could no longer afford to divide his time between his father’s business and his own projects.

  The elevator dinged, and Nick stepped over the polished brass threshold and into the parking garage. Headlights flashed to greet him as he disarmed his Porsche Cayenne, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.

  His smile faded, and he paused mid-stride, closing his eyes as the image of Ellie in a sapphire blue cocktail dress sitting in the passenger seat flashed in his mind. He’d never owned one car this long, choosing instead to donate them for auction before they were really broken in, and getting a new one. Buying a new car often was an indulgence he allowed himself, and something Ellie had teased him mercilessly for. All in good fun, of course. In the end, the car went for a good cause and always brought more at charity auction than he’d paid. But he’d kept this car longer than usual, and the memories lingered.