The Christmas List Read Online Free Page B

on Vance Allen. Five months earlier Allen had come to him in desperate need of nearly a million dollars. ($974,076 to be exact. Kier was always exact.) Vance had been in danger of losing a family-owned, forty-six-acre property near the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon that was in tax arrears. To secure the property Allen had to find money quickly and came to Kier for a hard money loan. It was a prime piece of real estate, easily worth five times the amount of the loan. Kier currently held the deed and would prefer it stayed that way. He pressed the speakerphone button; “Let him in.”
    Vance stepped in to his office. He was a tall, clumsy-looking man with graying temples. Kier thought him a simpleton who liked to shake hands too much. He made it a point to use hand sanitizer after their meetings.
    â€œMr. Kier, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
    Kier sat back, his gaze cold. “Have a seat.”
    Vance sat down, sensing the awkwardness of the chair. He furtively glanced down at the chair’s front legs.
    â€œYou’ve got my money?”
    Vance looked up and smiled weakly. “Well, okay, right to business. As you know, the loan call date is about three weeks from now, on the twenty-fourth of December. The good news is that I’ve found an investor. However, he’s going to have to liquidate some assets and it’s going to take him until the new year to come up with all the capital. So, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to extend the loan for an extra few weeks, with points and interest of course.”
    Kier just looked at him. “No.”
    Allen’s surprise was evident on his face. “No?”
    â€œThat wasn’t our arrangement and I need my money back. You’ve had six months to close the deal. We have payment in full by the twenty-fourth or you default and we take the property.”
    Allen’s jaw tightened. “But our investor can’t come up with the money that fast. We’re only talking an extra three or four weeks.”
    â€œThat’s not my problem. We have a deal and I expect you to live up to it. Honorably.”
    Allen turned red. “I’ve never cheated anyone in my entire life.”
    â€œGood. Let’s keep it that way.”
    â€œIt’s the danged economy, trying to find a jumbo loan right now is almost impossible.”
    â€œWe’re all having hard times. Now, I’m busy. I’ll see you with my money on the twenty-fourth.”
    â€œThis property has been in my family for almost a hundred years.”
    Kier looked down for a moment, then back at Vance. “Tell you what. When we start building we’ll name the development after your great-granddad.”
    Vance was trembling with anger. Without another word he stood up and walked out of the office. After the door shut, Kier habitually took out his hand sanitizer and rubbed it into his hands, then started looking through the P&L reports his accountant had left on his desk.
    A few minutes later Linda buzzed him.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œYour Park City reservations are confirmed.”
    â€œI need you to cancel my four-thirty meeting with Dawson.”
    â€œI already have. Would you like me to reschedule?”
    â€œMonday, if I have anything open.”
    â€œAnything else, Mr Kier?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIt’s nice you’re getting away.”
    â€œWhy, glad to be rid of me?” Kier snorted.
    â€œNo, sir. I was just thinking it’s nice to get away sometimes.”
    Kier disconnected and Linda set her phone down. After her husband Max became ill with multiple sclerosis, traveling was pretty much out of the question. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been on a real vacation.

    While Kier was meeting with Vance, Steve walked Sara out to her car, holding her arm through the parking lot. “Well, we got what you asked for,” Steve said, clearly displeased. When Sara didn’t respond he