Richard raised one hand.
“Let’s not create unnecessary tension.”
He stepped toward the porch.
“Leah, perhaps you don’t appreciate how valuable this property could become with the proper development.
Thomas and I had several conversations about opportunities in the area.”
I stood.
“Then you must know he wasn’t interested.”
Richard’s smile tightened.
“Thomas was an excellent engineer.
But good engineers aren’t always good businessmen.”
“Funny,” I said.
“He did rather well for himself.”
Vanessa made an impatient sound.
“Can we please go inside?
It’s freezing.”
“No.”
She stared at me.
“You’re joking.”
I shook my head.
The younger man with the tablet took a cautious step backward.
Richard studied my face.
“Leah, I don’t think you understand the position you’re in.”
I slipped my hand into my apron pocket.
My fingers closed around Thomas’s black remote.
“I understand perfectly.”
I pressed the button.
