Killian (Hope City #8) - Kris Michaels Page 0,2
to stop by or not?”
“What time?”
“Brie and Ryker are supposed to be here by seven, so you need to be here by six-thirty. And don’t park on this block. I’ve talked to Mavis Robinson and Deloris Habersham and they said we can park in their driveways and in front of their houses. That way Ryker won’t know what we’re doing.”
“How old is he now? Two hundred and fifty?” She snorted at her own joke.
“Bekki Rene King, you are such a little snot sometimes.”
“Mom, I was joking.”
“It wasn’t funny. You know your brothers give him a hard time about his age. I want you all to stop it. Brie is happy and that is more than enough for me.” Hannah King huffed the indignant reply.
“Mom, I’ve never said anything to anyone except you at this moment. I’m sorry, the joke was in poor taste. You are getting mighty possessive of Ryker, aren’t you?”
“Well, he’s a wonderful man. So are his brothers. Some of them will be coming, and I’d like all of my children to be in attendance also.”
“Yeah, I can be there. I’ll call Caitlyn and we’ll ride together so we eliminate a car.”
“Thank you, that would be perfect. I’m sure Sharon has alerted her children by now.”
“Can I bring anything?”
“No, I think we have everything we need. Perhaps a present for Ryker, if you have time, but Brie said not to ask for presents.”
“I’ll see what I can do. A bottle of good Scotch or something, maybe?”
“That sounds like a perfect idea. I need to head over to the school and pick up Gage. Dawn has to work late tonight and tomorrow night so, unfortunately, she won’t be able to come to the party. I’ll see you tomorrow, no later than six-thirty.”
“That’s a shame. I like Dawn.” Gage’s aunt on his mom’s side was a kick in the pants and said what she meant all the time. Maybe that’s why they got along so well.
“We all do. Six-thirty, Bekki, not any later.”
“Got it, Mom. Have a good day.”
“You too, honey. Bye.”
“Bye.” Bekki ended the call and hit up Caitlyn, getting her voicemail, which made sense given the time of day. “Hey, teacher girl. The ‘rents are doing a surprise birthday party for Ryker tomorrow night. We’re driving together. I’ll swing by and pick you up at six. We’re going in halfsies for a good bottle of scotch. I’ll meet you for our run at Eternity Park when you divest yourself of those high school cooties and tie on your running shoes. Let me know if you’re going to be late. Smooches.”
Bekki stared at the folder holding the information on her investigation again. She palmed her phone one more time. “Walter Crane’s office.”
“Hi, Doreen, is he in?”
“For you? Always. Hang on a minute, okay?”
“Thanks.” Bekki leaned forward and turned over the information she’d received from the county in regard to zoning regulations. She’d need to overlay the regulations against what each of the contractors had been awarded. She also had a copy of Title One, Two, and Three of the Code of County Regulations, which pertained to Environmental Protection, Permits, Approvals and Inspections, and Planning. To say her mind was spinning was an understatement.
Walter’s smooth baritone voice came across the line. “Bekki, what has you calling an old reprobate like me?”
Her laugh floated out of her. “Walter, you are not a reprobate. Like I’d associate with such people.”
His rumbling laughter filled her with joy. Walter had been her mentor since she took her first journalism class at Hope City Community College. “What’s bothering you, Bekki?”
“You know me so well.” She sighed. “I have a story I’m working on. It has the potential to be huge, Walter. If my gut is right, it could be enough to launch me into a major market.”
“Damn, you know those types of stories only come along once in a lifetime. What can I do to help you?”
“I still have a lot of research and months of videos to watch, but…”
Walter waited for a minute. “Let me guess, you have a way to shortcut the actual work. You know that never goes well, Bekki. You have to substantiate your facts.”
“No, I plan on doing the work, I have all the materials gathered, but I have access to one of the people who may be involved in the story.”
“Good guy or bad guy?”
“Could be bad, but I have no hard evidence right now, just a lot of coincidences and speculation on my part.”
“Find the proof before you