Justice for Sara by Erica Spindler Page A

self-consciously. “It’s been ten years, hard to remember everyone from back then.”
    Unless back then was when your life came screeching to a halt.
    “He owns an automotive repair place up on 59 in Mandeville,” Dab said. “R and B Imports.”

CHAPTER NINE
Tuesday, June 4
10:00 A.M.

    Kat and the Realtor simultaneously arrived at the storefront. Tish Alexander was not what Kat had expected. Since Jeremy had recommended her, she’d pictured classic professional, like Lilith. Instead, Tish was tall with a big voice, big chest and long blond hair.
    “Katherine McCall,” she greeted Kat with a distinctive Texas twang, “Tish Alexander.” She stuck out her hand. “Pleased as punch you called me.”
    Kat smiled and took her hand, immediately liking the other woman. “Thank Jeremy, he couldn’t say enough good things about you.”
    “That man is as sweet as my mama’s peach pie. I was able to fix him up with office space, then the perfect location for his campaign headquarters.”
    “I can’t believe he’s running for state senate.”
    “I can.” She nodded as if for emphasis. “And he’s gonna win, too. You just wait and see. C’mon, let’s take a look at this place.”
    Tish kept up a running commentary while she got out the key and opened the door. “Most recently, it was a restaurant. So it has a kitchen already, though I’m sure you’d have to build it out to your own specifications. Why don’t we start there.”
    Kat stood in the center of the kitchen and did a slow three-sixty. She would need to build it out, Kat thought. But the layout was good and the size was right. The ovens were her most expensive pieces of equipment. The better the oven, the better the bread.
    As Kat inspected the kitchen, she started forming a list: sinks could stay, so could the counters. New fans, ovens and coolers. The commercial dishwasher, surprisingly, was adequate.
    She looked at Tish. “Why didn’t they liquidate the fixtures and appliances?”
    “They own the property. Figured it might help rent it out.”
    “But they’re willing to sell?”
    Tish hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, absolutely.”
    Kat frowned at her tone. “Is there a problem?”
    “No, not at all. It’s just when Jeremy contacted me, he thought you were looking to rent. He thought—”
    “That it would be wiser, considering my history? That sounds just like Jeremy.”
    “I’m sorry, you’re my client, not Jeremy.”
    “It’s all right. I suppose it does seem a little crazy. What with people wanting to tar and feather me.”
    “Tar and feather might be an overstatement.”
    “More likely an understatement.” Tish didn’t ask what that meant and Kat didn’t offer.
    As they walked through the other rooms, Kat imagined her bread company here. What had been the dining room was big enough to serve as a storefront that included a small cafe area. She planned to serve sandwiches at lunch. And although most folks grabbed a pastry to go, in a setting like this, some would want to stay and enjoy the day, sitting outside and watching the river.
    She stood on the covered front porch, the breeze stirring her hair. She smiled. “I like it. A lot.”
    “Good.”
    “I’d want to add a deck area, for additional outdoor seating. Over there.” She indicated a spot on the left side of the porch. “I wonder about the setbacks.”
    “I’ll find out. The owner is motivated.”
    “When you inquire, don’t use my name. Just the corporation’s. If I decide this is the one, I don’t want who I am to become a factor in the negotiation.”
    “I think that’s wise. You still want to look at the other two properties?”
    She nodded, and less than an hour later, they stepped out of the second one. Both would do, Kat thought. Being located on the square would offer walk-in traffic, by her estimation, and these two properties would require less of a build-out investment. But she didn’t like either as much as the waterfront option.
    Although this