The Christmas List: A Novel
: Chapter 30

When Linda stopped at Kier’s house on her way home she found him in his kitchen eating a bowl of breakfast cereal. Next to his bowl was a glass of purple Provanti juice.

“Cap’n Crunch. I see you’ve strayed from your usual diet.” She walked around the table. “I brought the Gold’s Gym lease on the Holladay shopping center. They want a three-year contract with an additional three-year option, the annual bump not to exceed a dollar a square foot. Basically what you agreed to last week.”

“Just leave it; I still want to look it over.”

She set it on the table. “So how did things go today?”

He took another bite of cereal. “I went and saw David Carnes.”

“And?”

“He has a company called Provanti. It’s worth more than a billion dollars.”

“Wow. I didn’t know it was that big. My sister drinks Provanti every morning. She says it helps her lose weight.”

“Carnes owns the company. And the building.”

“I know.”

“You knew?”

She nodded.

“I guess I’m the only one who didn’t.”

“I’m glad he’s done well for himself. So your meeting went okay?”

“It was the worst yet. Carnes sat there throwing out the same Machiavellian excuses I’ve used for years, and credited me for teaching them to him. It was like having a serial killer thank you for selling him weapons. He’s even writing a book about it—Predator or Prey. I’ve created a monster.” Kier took a drink of the juice then puckered. “This is awful.”

“I know. I’ve tried it. Tastes like goat sweat.”

Kier looked at her, stifling a laugh. “Goat sweat?” She nodded. Kier took his glass and bowl over to the sink and rinsed them out. “Have you had any luck replaceing Celeste Hatt?”

“Not yet. But I haven’t given up.”

He walked back to the table. “Then just one more to go. Gary Rossi. Anything special I should be warned about?”

Linda was hesitant. “Yes, but I don’t think I should tell you.”

“Why is that?”

“It would probably be best for you to replace out for yourself.”

“That sounds ominous.” He lifted the documents and looked them over. “Got a pen?”

“Here.”

He signed the lease, then handed it back to Linda.

“When are you going to see Rossi?” Linda asked.

“When I get back.”

“Back? You’re going somewhere?”

“I need you to book a flight for me to Boston.”

Linda smiled. “Are you going to see Jimmy?”

“I’m going to try.”

“When would you like to leave?” She took out her PDA.

“As soon as I can.”

“Very well. I’ll text you the flight info.”

“Thank you.”

Linda went to the front door, then turned back. “Jimmy will be so happy to see you.”

“I hope so,” Kier said. In his heart, he knew otherwise.