Hearts of Steel and Stone

ight as well have been written in a foreign language. For the third time in an h

days of trying to return to his normal routine. Two days of prete

s doorway. "The Hartwell Group

ty-eight. He was never late for meeti

them

e type immediately - old money, inherited wealth, the kind of men who'd

extending his hand. "Richard Har

palms and weak grips. These weren't men who built things

ence table. "I understand you're interested

"We're particularly interested in the Riverside facil

red people," Marcus said. "They've been

turing of course. Bringing

jaw tighten. "

d overhead." Hartwell's smile didn

his facility, fire his workers, and strip the valuabl

sense. The Riverside plant was profitable but not spectacula

"reduced overhead" like the workers were line items on a spr

nterested,

rose. "We haven't

be discuss

d like to thi

y ending the meeting. "The Riv

ances. Hartwell's face had

said, standing as well. "We're prep

re. Jennifer wi

as probably working at her sewing machine, creating something beautiful with her hands. She'd never lay o

rbed him more tha

xt from his driver: "R

Another meeting, another deal, another chance to t

n five minutes,

where deals were made over expensive wine and imported steaks. Marcus arriv

tood to shake hands

city. He was old money, established wealth, the kind of man who

How's th

getting married next month. Big

me thing, grilled salmon with no sauce, vegetables

left, "I wanted to talk to you abo

strial buildings that could be converted into luxury condos and up

Marcus said. "Low buy-i

to move fast. The city council is me

construction timelines. It was the kind of conversation Marcus had three t

finished eating. "Some of the existing busi

nd of bu

s, repair services, that sort

pause halfway to his

ssi something. The owner is refusing to n

dust in Marcus's mout

kno

eard th

mportant. These small operations always cave e

nd of in

ode violations, make it expensive to stay.

his fork. "And

y. Can't let a few holdouts

e contracts, promising to get back to David within the week. But his mind was else

evelopment suddenly felt different. Personal. He'd sat through hundreds of similar meetings

hose small busin

t bag slung over her shoulder. She wore a simple black dress and low heels, her hair pulled back in a neat bun.

What were the chances of running into her here, just after

moment, surprise flickered across her face, the

said. "This

ch nearby." It wa

on her shoulder. "Well, I should get g

nd of de

. She needed some las

ould see expensive clothes displayed on mannequins, the kind of pla

for boutiqu

." Elena's tone was matter-of-fact. "Custom

be good for

he

ed to leave, but Marcus found himself reluctant to let her go.

get back to work

I shou

she held herself differently here in the business district. More

stopped. He didn't know

es

pe your delive

nk y

noting the straight line of her shoulders, the purposeful way she moved. Even

: "Looking forward to your decision on Harbo

te, guaranteed profits, a chance to transform a rundown area into somethin

The pride in her voice when she mentioned five years in business.

mind churning with numbers and possibilities. The Harbor District development wo

just bu

el like somethin