Chapter 4 - THE FAVOR THAT WAS NEVER A FAVOR
Leo Flores received Christa's call at 11:43 on a Tuesday morning.
He answered on the second ring.
“Miss Dempsey.”
She frowned.
“You knew it was me?”
“You called the number I gave you.”
“Fair point.”
His voice carried the faintest amusement.
“What happened?”
She took a breath.
“I need information about Gregory Hammond.”
Silence.
Then:
“What kind of information?”
“Why he wants my mother's estate.”
Leo didn't answer immediately.
“Where are you?”
“My office.”
“Are you alone?”
Christa stiffened.
“Why?”
“Because I would prefer not to discuss Hammond over an unsecured phone.”
She looked toward the glass door.
Her assistant was at lunch.
“Are you suggesting we meet?”
“Yes.”
She hesitated.
Leo continued:
“Somewhere public. You choose.”
That surprised her.
She named a café near her office.
He agreed.
Twenty minutes later, Leo entered wearing a dark coat.
No visible entourage.
Although Christa suspected his security team wasn't far away.
He sat across from her.
“You asked about Hammond.”
She nodded.
“Why does he want Bellweather?”
Leo studied her.
“Do you know what lies beneath the greenhouse?”
Christa frowned.
“Old foundations.”
“Anything else?”
She shook her head.
Leo looked toward the window.
“Your mother knew something about that property.”
Christa's pulse quickened.
“What?”
May you like
He turned back.
“Something Hammond has spent years trying to find.”
