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“McAllister,” I finished, extending my hand to shake. “Evan McAllister.”
His grip was firm for the standard two shakes, and his eyes appraised me with caution. “You better treat our Alexa right.”
“I will,” I assured him. It was an easy promise to make.
“And you’re here because?”
Either Alexa hadn’t discussed our arrangement with him yet, or he didn’t like it and was playing dumb. Either way I waded in. “Alexa mentioned that you were having difficulties with your landlord regarding a lease extension.”
His eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms, but stayed silent.
“She thinks very highly of you, Sydney, and thinks the situation is unfair.”
His face softened after my words, but he didn’t utter a sound.
“Alexa asked if I could provide some help.”
He uncrossed his arms, a small victory. “I don’t see how.”
“I’ve dealt with a lot of situations such as these. If I could have a look at a your lease—”
“I don’t need help reading the fucking thing. Pardon my French. Our previous landlord Mrs. Quenton passed away and her son, Jason, is a…”
“Jerk,” I finished for him.
He nodded with a snort. “That and a hundred worse names.”
Sydney argued a bit more, but in the end I convinced him to let me leave with a copy of his lease. He clearly doubted I would come back with anything helpful.
After Albert picked me up downstairs, I dialed from the back of the car. “Hey Diane. I’d like you to dig up everything you can on a Jason Quenton.” I spelled it for her. “And then get a hold of him.” I read off the number to her. “Set up a meeting for this afternoon at our offices, four o’clock. Tell Anita I need the boardroom. Don’t take no for an answer.” Since dad was out of town, I would outrank anybody else that wanted the room.
“And what do I tell this Mr. Quenton it’s about.”
“A hush, hush. Super secret special opportunity.”
“And if he’s busy?”
“He’ll regret it if he misses this and tell him that he’ll need two forms of ID with him. Get security to post two guards at the boardroom and relieve him of his cell phone before he enters.”
She giggled. “I know the drill.”
Next, I dialed the bank.
* * *
Alexa
Mr. Perez seemed quiteimpressed when I repeated Evan’s line about how banking was more about relationships than math.
I suggested two other minor changes to his application before we were done.
He left happy, and I had my fingers crossed for him that this time he’d get through the approval process. The neighborhood would be well served by the bodega he wanted to add.
Rita was at my door as soon as I walked Mr. Perez out. “Now we can open it.”
I slid my purse to the side and pulled this morning’s box out from under my desk.
Rita was jumpy with excitement. “He likes penguins, so this is going to be good.”
