Chapter 300

I was determined not to make a move on the D.C. thing until I heard from Jennifer. So after Eddie cleared out, I just went into power saver mode and collected free electrons. I was in hibernation just like when I, as a person, had slept.

The sun was up when I finally decided that it was time to become active again. I wondered what the entities that couldn't make that decision for themselves, did for a wake up call.

I did my morning things, just like I had when I was the old me. I showered even though I probably didn't need to do it. I also washed my hair and put on clean clothes. Again I most likely could have gotten by without doing any of that.

It was Monday, so before I went to the 'Sit Down', I stopped by the laundromat to drop off my dirty clothes. My Vietnamese family greeted me with big smiles. They also promised me that the clothes would be ready for me, when I finished my walk.

"Thank you," I said as I went back outside to ride my bike to the 'Sit Down'. That ride was great fun for me. It also allowed me to be seen, which could only help people know that I hadn't died from the gunshot. It was important that I not be questioned too hard.

I was surprised to find Kate waiting for me at the 'Sit Down'. "Hello there," I said in greeting her.

"Hello Maxine, I decided I would try to catch you here and have our meeting over some really good coffee," Kate admitted.

"Good coffee is always a plus," I informed her.

"This is the offer," She said putting the folder in front of me.

I opened it but decided that I wanted breakfast more than I wanted to know what the deal was. "Can you just tell me while I have my bagel?" I asked.

"Each of those three streets has twenty houses on it. The old man was very regimented. Unfortunately the few tell me that on the first street behind the mill there are only 18 that can be saved. Two of them need to come down, they are a danger and would cost more to save than a new construction of the same size would cost," Kate said.

"Well that is phase one, I would like to limit my exposure to 200k if possible. I will take the two houses down but leave the lots to the kids. They can sell them as lots without the expense of clearing the lots," I suggested.

"I can try that," Kate admitted.

"Good do that, I would like to get things started in that direction pretty soon. I am sure that you and the preacher would like to get it moving as well."

"I'll do the paperwork and have it ready for you to sign this afternoon," she said.

"Good, why not bring the offer bye when you are finished and I will sign it. I have absolutely no plans for the afternoon," I said.

I was, for the first time in my memory, comfortable doing absolutely nothing. I could sit for hours looking out my window at the thin traffic on main street. It wasn't boring, or wonderful, it just plain was, no more, no less.

Most of that Monday passed with me doing just that. Keeping an eye on the downtown traffic as if it made a difference somehow. It was a little after 3PM when the buzzer at my back door sounded. I did a quick check of my internal Internet browser to show the web cam. Kate stood patiently at the door. I buzzed her in with moving stirring. Another of those wireless applications set up in my brain, such as it was.

I did manage to move to the kitchen area before she made it through the short hallway area. "So do you have the offer ready for my signature?" I asked.

"Yes Ma'am, I have it all ready for you." Kate was being pretty formal for one who knew me intimately. I marked it down to being in her business woman's power suit.

"I can give you microwave reheated coffee or a cola." I suggested.

"I love your reheated coffee," she said.

I removed one of the smaller plastic delta coffee cups from the overhead cabinet above the dishwasher. I used the coffee cups now and then, but almost never used the dishwasher. It took about two minutes to get the coffee ready for her.

"So what do you think, now that you have it written up?" I asked.

"I would guess that you should expect a counter offer. Then most likely it will go back and forth a couple of times." she said.

"No that isn't going to happen. You need to put a bug in their Realtor's ear. They can make a counter offer if they like, but it should be their best one. There will be a yes or no response. That is because no more offers will be coming from me." I said smiling.

"Maxine on a deal this size that isn't very likely. You are trying to buy those houses at the value of the raw land. It isn't likely to work, there will have to be compromises I'm sure."

"Kate, if you would prefer not to represent me, I would hate to lose you, but I can find someone else." I meant just what I said to her.

"Very well I will explain it to the Realtor, but you should expect a counter offer that is going to be unacceptable to you."

"Sweetie there are empty buildings all over this town. It's just a matter of which people want to make deals." What Kate didn't understand was that, I didn't mind taking advantage of someone in trouble. Yes I loved being the savior of people, but I wasn't really in the charity business.

If these kids needed that money to survive, I would pay them the market value. Since at the moment there was no market for their property, I was setting the price. I had also done a financial background check on the two of them. I knew that daddy had left them stocks and bonds which provided their income. The mill property was a drain on them, since the estate required them to maintain it at the existing level of repair.