Page 122 of Ten Beach Road

Avery felt Chase’s gaze on her and looked up to meet his eyes. She knew he felt the loss of Bella Flora almost as keenly as she did. It was all so ridiculously pathetic. They had knocked one out of the park when they’d finished Bella Flora. Hurricane Charlene had thrown the baseball back at them and the umpire had called it foul.

“It’s over,” Avery said. “Let’s just accept reality and get on with it.”

Nicole came back in and took her seat. “Sorry.” Her shoulders were slumped and her voice subdued.

“What’s wrong?” Maddie asked. “What happened?”

“I thought I might have good news. I’d almost convinced myself I’d be charging back in here like the financial cavalry.” Nicole shook her head sadly.

“What are you talking about?” Deirdre asked.

“I’ve been clinging to the hope that at least some portion of those accounts Malcolm kept in our mother’s name—the ones I turned over to the FBI—would somehow be deemed mine and that we could use it on Bella Flora.” Her smile was rueful. “But it’s all going into the pot that will be divided among Malcolm’s victims.”

Avery didn’t think she could stand it. “If you hadn’t turned the accounts over, would the FBI have found them?”

“I’m not sure,” Nicole said. “According to Giraldi they can’t just go looking at family member’s bank accounts. Not without a direct link to Malcolm.”

“Jesus,” Avery said. “So we might have had enough to re-renovate.”

Nicole nodded, her expression glum. Avery felt even worse now, if that were possible. Like a condemned prisoner who’d been told about a possible reprieve from the governor after it had been denied.

“You did the right thing, Nikki,” Maddie said. “You did.”

“I know. He left so many people in such dire straits. I’m glad they’ll at least get something back.” Nikki looked up at them. “But I couldn’t help hoping.”

“So you all may see some of that money at some point,” John Franklin said.

“Yes,” Nikki agreed. “But not soon enough to save Bella Flora.”

Avery drew yet another deep breath, though the whole breathing thing didn’t seem to be particularly effective. She felt far from calm and could actually feel the hot scald of tears forming. She wanted out of here before she humiliated herself completely. “Seeing as we have a whole lot of bills and no money, I move that we authorize John to sell Bella Flora ‘as is,’ ” Avery said, hating the tremor in her voice. She paused, trying to get herself and her voice under control. “If we receive any insurance or other monies before she sells, we’ll use it to pay back Chase and tear her the rest of the way down.”

As soon as she’d said the words Avery wanted to haul them back. She sat very still and concentrated on holding back her tears. The room went horribly silent.

“I second the motion,” Maddie finally said.

Looking up, Avery saw Steve squeeze his wife’s hand on top of the table.

“All in favor . . .” Chase said.

Avery sighed, but there was no cavalry coming and no point in prolonging the agony.

“All in favor of authorizing John to sell ‘as is’ and tear down if possible, say ‘aye,’ ” Maddie managed.

Nobody was actually in favor and everybody knew it. Nobody actually said “aye,” either. But the motion carried anyway.

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