Page 78 of In the Line of Ire

"Yes,"said Solomon.

"Sodafor me," I said. "Is Lily here?"

"In thekitchen," said Maddox. He grinned as he turned and headed back intothe kitchen.

"Whichway?" I asked. "Game with Dad and Daniel, or kitchen with Mom andeveryone else?"

"Neitherseem very safe. I'll follow you," said Solomon.

"Dad, itis," I said and we headed into the living room. Dad and Daniel sattogether on the couch, Daniel's son, Ben between them. My oldestnephew, Patrick, sat on a beanbag, stretching his long legs. Mynieces, Chloe and Rachel were busy building what looked like afairy castle out of Legos.

"Hi,Uncle John," said Chloe, giving him a toothy smile.

"Hi,Chloe. What are you building?" asked Solomon.

"Adungeon," she said, pointing to it. "There's a room for prisonersand a special room for torture."

"That'snice," said Solomon.

"Who'swinning the game, Dad?" I asked.

"I haveno idea," said Dad. "Daniel?"

"Beatsme," said Daniel. He folded the newspaper and passed it to Dad, whopassed it across to me. I shook it out, glancing at the headline.There was a piece about a new housing development being proposedwith a lovely artist's impression of a street of smart homes. A fewquotes were given from the city council regarding “arearegeneration” and improved, modern amenities. When I saw theaddresses listed for demolition, I did a double-take.

"Did yousee this?" I asked Solomon, handing him the newspaper.

"No.What is it?"

"Thisnew plan includes the street where Natalie Morganlives."

Solomonread the article and frowned. "That can't be anycoincidence."

"It sayshere that all the properties have been sold to the developer for afair market price and all the residents are in the process ofrelocating with an end date of two months from now."

"Didyour client also sell?"

"No, sherents. She never said anything about her landlord selling theproperty."

"Maybeshe doesn't know it yet."

"Herlease is good for another year."

"Thatwon’t work since the street is scheduled for demolition as soon asall properties are vacated."

Isighed. It was all so simple. "The landlord needs her evacuatedfrom the property. What if he can't break the lease? She needs tobe the one to do it."

"Youthink he's scaring her into doing that?"

"Maybe,but I don't have any evidence. Not yet."

"Thesecurity camera hasn't tripped."

"We needto catch him in the act!"

“It’s a solid theory. If we catch him on camera, that willconfirm it. There’s nothing we can do right now. Don’t get yourhopes too high,” warned Solomon.

"Whatare you two whispering about?" asked Dad.

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