Название: Lyza's Story: Book One of The Lane Trilogy
Автор: Vicki Inc. Andree
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Религия: прочее
isbn: 9781456611699
isbn:
“Oh, I intend to.”
Lyza, ready to face the day, picked up her attaché case and sauntered to the garage. She climbed into her gray Mercedes-Benz and drove thirty minutes to the Lane office building downtown. She met her father across the street at Cecconi’s restaurant.
She gave him her best smile. “Good morning.”
“Lyza, you look especially beautiful this morning.”
She laughed at the thought of her father looking beautiful and filled her cup from the carafe. “Thanks, Father, so do you.”
Not amused, he opened his day planner. “Let’s begin.”
Leesa appeared at their table. She gasped, “Hi there,” likely winded from dashing to the restaurant.
Lyza jumped up to give her a hug. “I thought you were out of town until tomorrow.” She hugged her again. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Leesa grinned. “I know you are.” She laughed. “And I also know how you hate to lead these meetings. That’s why I hurried back.”
Their father plunged straight into business. “Leesa, how did the Vegas deal go?”
“Oh, it didn’t. They didn’t understand what they were getting into.” Leesa shrugged. “That’s the way it goes sometimes. Anyway, I rushed back in time for the staff meeting. You can catch me up.”
She sat and turned toward Lyza with a big grin. “I thought you were going to Germany.”
Lyza suppressed a jubilant smile. Thank God I don’t have to stay another minute in a boring office. Thank you, Las Vegas! And thank you, Leesa, for liking this part of the job! “Always glad to hold down the fort for you.” She gathered her papers and stood. “But now that you’re here, I do have a flight to catch. I’ll keep you posted.”
Leesa’s tone changed slightly. “Oh, I know you will.”
As Lyza turned to leave, she caught an uncertain expression on Leesa’s face that vanished when their eyes met. Curious. What are you up to, Miss Goody Two-Shoes?
Chapter Two
As Lyza’s jet descended into Nuremberg, she recalled enduring endless stories of how the grandparents she’d never known had died in a death camp in that godforsaken country. Now she planned to take advantage of some Germans. She rested in the thought that her deeds that day might result in a sweet surprise for Father. Her spirits lifted with the thought that neither her family nor the German government might ever discover her part in the deception that was about to take place. And if they learned about it later, after it was too late, it would be even sweeter.
She had four hours before her meeting. Her limo arrived to take her to the Sheraton Carlton. As they passed through the streets of Nuremberg, she pondered the significance of this city. The Nuremberg Trials and other war crimes trials had taken place in the Palace of Justice after World War II.
Nuremberg had symbolically provided the setting for the trials, and Lyza expected to get a little of her own justice today. Perhaps a little late, she would do her part to add to the collapse of the economy of the country that had allowed death camps.
In addition, the deal promised to be a one of her biggest. See Leesa top that! She pulled her mink coat around her. Father will be delighted. Her three-carat diamond ring caught a ray of sunshine and spread light across the limousine ceiling. Life is good. Her favorite ruby earrings matched her red designer miniskirt and black Dior blazer. They pulled up to the front of the hotel and the chauffeur jumped out to open her door. Lyza hurried past the doorman to the registration desk.
The uniformed man behind the desk greeted her. “Welcome to the Sheraton Carlton Hotel, Miss Lane. Your bags are in your room. My assistant, Max, will escort you to the penthouse. Have a nice visit in Germany. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.”
She turned toward the elevator. “Thank you. I will.”
Max punched the penthouse floor. “Did you have a good flight?”
She smiled. “Uneventful, and that’s always good.”
The elevator stopped outside the penthouse suite. Max held the door as she exited, then stepped in front of her to unlock the penthouse door. After he showed her around the suite, she handed him a tip and watched his eyes enlarge. Then she closed the door behind him, glad to be alone. After a short nap, a relaxing bath, and a light lunch, she changed for the meeting. The earrings with the fifteen-carat ruby pendant worked with the other red miniskirt she brought. The black Dior blazer would do. Her black stilettos with sparkling diamond chips finished the outfit. She opted for the shorter blond mink to show off her shapely legs. She was ready for battle. Bring it on!
***
Father patted Leesa’s shoulder. “I think the weekly meeting went well.”
She nodded. “Me, too.”
He flipped through several pages of notes, then looked up at her. “You did a great presentation. No one resisted the proposed reorganization. Let’s celebrate at the club.”
Leesa stood to leave, then sat back down. “I’d love to, but can we talk about the Norton deal?”
He tucked reports into his attaché case. “Is there a problem?”
Leesa avoided meeting his eyes. “Oh, no, nothing like that. I’m not sure how much the market will bear on this deal. With all the negative press on real estate these days, I’m afraid the asking price on this commercial property may be a deal-breaker. We meet for final negotiations tomorrow.”
He grinned and shook his head. “Leesa, Leesa, Leesa. I thought I taught you better. Don’t worry.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know as well as I do that price has little to do with this deal. Norton wants this property so bad he can taste it. Downtown ground is expensive, but he can afford it. Don’t let him sing you a sad song about the real-estate collapse. Prime real estate demands prime prices.” He leaned forward and patted her hand. “There’s no way you can mess up this deal, sweetie. Twenty million dollars is chump change to Norton. He needs a building as big as his ego.”
“I appreciate your confidence.” She smiled. “Since I can’t possibly mess it up, I guess I do have time for lunch.”
***
Lyza entered the glass-walled conference room. Surrounding the huge mahogany table were young attorneys, gray-haired consultants, and Mr. Klaus Müller of Müller and Sons.
Lyza extended her tiny hand. “Good afternoon, Mr. Müller.”
“Miss Lane.” Mr. Müller shook her hand. “I trust you had a good flight.”
“Oh, yes.” She took the chair next to him, placing her attaché case on the conference table in front of her. “Shall we begin?”
Mr. Müller introduced the others. “I’d like you to meet my attorney, Benjamin Schmidt. And this is Gretchen СКАЧАТЬ