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don’t want down their throats.”
    “What an unpleasant image, considering I was about to order my lunch.” She delicately dabbed her napkin to the side of her mouth. “I wonder how many of those same folks are cashing paychecks earned with jobs that Chandler money created for them.”
    “There’s no question your husband and his father did some good things for this community.” Howard shifted forward as far as his paunch allowed. “But people who built businesses fifty or sixty years ago didn’t have the same kinds of concerns that people do today.”
    “Are you talking about the businesses, or the building of them?”
    “We both know what I’m talking about.”
    She picked up her tea and sipped. “Then this will be a very short conversation.”
    “You can’t get your way all the time, Geneva.”
    “You’re right, of course, Howard,” she said with a thin smile. “I’d be a fool to expect that. And I’m not a fool.”
    “That’s right. That’s why you should seriously consider backing off this Tidewaters project while there’s still time. It’s the right thing to do, and you know it.”
    “If I thought it was the right thing to do, I would have quit before I started. And certainly before investing so much Chandler money in the development phase.”
    For months she’d poured funds into the pockets ofmarine biologists, geologists and engineers. She’d battled federal agencies, the state’s coastal concerns, the city’s commissions and committees and codes and several local environmental activist groups. But for too many environmentalists, the objective scientific evidence didn’t outweigh their emotions. And for too many politicians, the promise of community benefits didn’t compensate for the possible loss of their constituents’ support.
    Cobb’s complexion darkened. “The harm this project will cause to the environment will far outweigh any possible economic benefits.”
    “That’s a strange comment, even for you.” Geneva took another sip of her tea. “And particularly strange considering that the environmental impact report and the city’s financial analysis indicate precisely the opposite.”
    “Studies bought and paid for,” Howard said as he stabbed a beefy finger at the table. “By you.”
    “Which doesn’t make them wrong. Merely purchased. Another part of the cost benefit noted in that financial analysis.”
    “Some folks might say that smacks of corruption.”
    “And some might wonder about the conflict of interest for a city councilman who is involved in the construction of a similar commercial building in a different part of town. A building that may soon be in competition with mine for tenants.”
    Missy hovered near the table, her order pad in her hand. Howard glared at Geneva as he pushed to the side and exited the booth. “This isn’t over.”
    “Oh, I think it will be, in about nine months,” Geneva said pleasantly. “When Tidewaters opens its doors amid a buzz of community curiosity and to the delightof its retail tenants. Tenants who may prefer waterfront views and the benefits of tourist foot traffic.”
    “We’ll see about that.” He turned and stalked out of the inn, dropping a few bills on his table as he passed it.
    “Nasty man,” whispered Missy.
    “But a good tipper, from the looks of it,” Geneva said. “I’m sure he means well.”
    “Everyone means well when they’re trying to get their way.”
    “Why, Missy,” Geneva said as she raised her glass, “may I quote you on that?”
    “Only if it’s off the record.” The waitress shook her head. “I don’t want any of that guilty-by-association stuff.”
    Geneva sipped her tea in silence, feeling wonderfully guilt-free. It seemed there were, after all, a few benefits to having time pass so quickly.

CHAPTER FOUR

    Q UINN WAS in a foul mood on Monday morning as he headed toward the Tidewaters site. An early-morning conference with Rosie’s teacher had left him frazzled and