CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Throughout the rest of the weekend and Monday, try as she might, Sarah couldn’t think of a way to get her mother off the hook. She racked her brain and tried out her ideas on Harlan about everyone who might have had an opportunity to kill Lance. Although they both agreed Amanda and Bailey had opportunity, financial motives, and got promotions out of Lance’s death, they also were faced with the fact that both ran into Lance’s office from the lobby after Maybelle screamed.
Harlan questioned the veracity of Eloise’s time line and unconfirmed reporting of the voices she heard, noting that she had opportunity when she allegedly went for the copier paper, but Sarah pointed out that they knew she’d heard at least Cliff’s voice and that Eloise, too, responded to the scream from within the lobby. In the end, they were no further along in coming up with a new suspect than they were on Saturday. All they had concluded was that there were time periods everyone could have been outside the bank long enough to have gone in and out of Lance’s office through the alley before returning to the interior of the bank.
Consequently, this morning, Sarah couldn’t concentrate on work. Her ringing desk phone made her think of the dinging bell signaling a round break for a boxer during a fight. “Endicott and Associates.”
“One of these days, you have to explain to me who the associates are.”
It amused Sarah that sometimes her sister’s mind worked in the same way as hers, but it wasn’t enough to make her crack a smile today. “Emily, what’s up?”
“Can’t a person simply call to tell her sister what a wonderful day it is?”
“She could, if her name wasn’t Emily Johnson, who hasn’t made that kind of telephone call even once in the almost thirty years she’d been on earth. I repeat, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“Good news.”
“About Mom?”
“I only wish. More about us. Mr. Bailey called first thing this morning to apologize for the error and tell me he signed the paperwork approving our loan application.”
“Did he mention why he had a change of heart during his apology?”
“He said something about Mom’s guarantee not being associated with the paperwork when he reviewed it but that Mr. Knowlton, before his death, recognized it was missing and made a note on the file. Once Mr. Bailey found the note, he immediately had his assistant locate the documents and he corrected his error. I blocked out the rest of what he said about how he hoped this was the beginning of a long and satisfactory relationship between Southwind and the bank. Whatever really happened doesn’t matter. We’ve got the financing.”
“Congratulations.” Sarah didn’t mention what Eloise had told her about Lance having the new paperwork drafted prior to last week’s meeting. “Marcus must be happy.”
“He’s over the moon. Not only did the loan come through, but Cliff finished the venting, the stove arrived and was installed, and because Cliff was able to catch the building inspector, who happened to be in the building today, everything was signed off. Isn’t it wonderful, Sarah? We’ll be able to open the pub in time for soft openings before this weekend’s YipYeow events and then we can plan a grand opening.”
“That’s wonderful.” Sarah thought about the Saturday-night reception Marcus planned for the YipYeow volunteers. Now it could go off without a hitch. That was, unless you considered the fact that one half of the Southwind ownership team would be preparing the food at the Howellian.
“What did Marcus say about you not being there for the Saturday-night reception?”
There was a pause before Emily responded. “He’s not thrilled, but he’s come around to realizing my six months of work will make us far more solvent. Besides, we’ll start soft openings at Southwind tomorrow and I’ll be in and out for those first services. Sarah, I called because I need to ask another favor of you.”
“What?”
“Because Southwind is opening and having its reception on Saturday night, I can’t use Marcus’s staff, except for Grace, at the Howellian. I called in all my chits, and I pretty much covered my kitchen-staff needs, but I’m short a few servers. I know you’re going to be out in the sun most of the day with the YipYeow parade and the pet adoptions, but would you please help me out Saturday night?”
Sarah didn’t have to think twice. Of course she would be there for Emily. It seemed ironic to Sarah that her cool, collected sister needed her help twice within two weeks. Considering, since childhood, Emily was the careful planner while Sarah stretched out on the couch watching Perry Mason reruns, their role reversal felt strange to her.
“What do you need me to do and how do you want me to dress?”
“Typical passing of hors d’oeuvres, replenishing serving tables, clearing away cups and plates people put down, and other duties as assigned. As for your other question, black pants and either a comfortable T-shirt or thin blouse works. Thomas provides a white jacket with the Howellian insignia for each server.”
Sarah bit her tongue to avoid making a crack about the jacket. “You can count on me to be there. You might want to tell Thomas he’ll need to have an extra jacket for me.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure I can keep it white all night.”
Sarah was still chuckling at the thought of the different things she could accidentally spill on the server’s jacket when Harlan came out of his office. “Guess what, Harlan?” She didn’t wait for her boss to venture a guess. “Emily called. Their loan was approved. That takes care of any financial issues involved with the pub and the house, if you get it rezoned at today’s meeting.”
“That’s what I came to talk to you about. Hopefully, the rezoning issue is going to be pulled from this week’s agenda and not addressed until next week.”
“Why? Is it that feasibility study Anne was telling Marcus about?”
“Yes, but a study hasn’t been ordered yet. It’s still only a request at this point. That’s why I want the topic pulled from this week’s agenda. There’s a chance we can get enough votes for an up-and-down vote next week rather than the issue being stopped indefinitely for a study.”
“Why would a study take so long?”
“Because they’ll include environmental impact and a million other things to be considered.”
“Do you think delaying for a vote will really be to our advantage?”
“It’s our best shot. The council is split four to four on rezoning. We won’t know which way it will go until we know who fills Lance’s seat.”
“Have they scheduled an election?”
“Filling his slot isn’t done by public election. The council appoints someone to fill out the remainder of his term. That person will have to run again in the next general election.”
“What’s the delay appointing someone? Can’t they do it today?”
“Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the council is split.”
“I know, you said, four to four.”
“They’re even more splintered on a possible replacement for Lance. Behind the scenes, Anne hasn’t stated her preference, but two council members are advocating Jane.”
“Jane? Why?”
“They think she would have been Bill’s choice. They’re hoping because of her desire to start a new business, she’ll vote for an entertainment district.”
“What about the other councilmen?”
“Two are advancing their own candidates, and now there is a new dark horse being backed by three members of the council.”
“Who is it?”
“Bailey. This faction thinks he will give them the same edge Lance did—a joining of the council and the bank at the hip. They claim Lance’s dual role made things go smoother when the city was looking for financing or needed answers on bond issues and other money-related situations unique to Wheaton.”
“I’m surprised Anne isn’t backing Bailey. My understanding is she is an investor in the bank. Surely she’d be able to influence him. I would think he’d provide her with more value than Jane or anyone else.”
Harlan threw his hands up in a gesture of futility. “I’d have thought that way, too, but who’s to know what goes on in Anne’s brain? Maybe she’s afraid she can’t control him as much as she wants? Perhaps she believes there should be an arm’s-length relationship between the bank and the city council? Or she may think he’ll sell out for rezoning because new businesses mean more deals for the bank? Who knows?”
“Whatever it is, you can bet she’ll cast her vote for whatever way benefits the Hightowers.”
“That’s a little snide, but I don’t disagree with you. Anyway, let’s hope I can get our motion withdrawn or tabled for today’s meeting.”