Two men sat waiting in two separate vehicles, one with his windows down, the other becoming more agitated by the minute. For some reason the person they were expecting had just arrived. 'Bout time, the second man thought as he exited a city-owned, white Chevrolet Spark. The first man, dressed in a tailormade smoky grey suit, hadn't noticed the second man walking towards him trying to get his attention. "Are you an attorney?" the second man called.
The first man, figuring the second to be Peter Reynolds, hesitantly nodded.
Peter continued speaking, waving in the direction of a black Cadillac Escalade. "Well, I believe that's her coming now."
The attorney climbed from his car as the SUV made its way pass the attendant at the park's entrance. While the driver circled the parking lot before heading in their direction, Peter watched impatiently. "Oh, spare us the shenanigans why don't you," he mouthed the moment the Escalade pulled up and began backing in.
"Ah, gentlemen," an older sophisticated woman greeted as the driver's side door swung opened and she motioned to climb out. "Glad to see we could all make it."
The attorney eagerly hurried to the woman's aid. "Mrs. Fletcher. How are you?"
"No reason to complain, Steven," the woman expelled. "Good. I see you and Peter have met."
"We have," Steven confirmed.
"Geez. Enough with the small talk already. Can we please just get on with it? Some of us do have real jobs and a shit load of prior commitments, you know," Peter barked before heading for the nearest picnic table.
"What a wonderful idea, Peter," Mrs. Fletcher agreed. "Why don't we do just that."
Gyro Park was the name the location was better known as. The next door neighbour of Schooner Cove Apartments, the land and most of the acreage in a ten mile radius belong exclusively to Price Investments. In recent years development of company properties along the South Huron River Drive corridor had flourished and resulted in significant capital gains. It was a timely investment those involved hoped would eventually mean more money in their personal bank accounts.
Peter looked out across the lake. On the other side stood the first testament of what he and Ethan Jackson had accomplished: Lake in the Woods Apartments. A once promising gated community, Peter remembered how difficult it had been to gather city approval for the project before Price Investments had come aboard. Despite proposing the site as having the finest amenities, opposers argued for the city to back such a measure would give the appearance that it condoned the displacement of wildlife and disturbance of native vegetation. No matter how the original developers restructured the deal, no one in public office would support it. At the time, Ethan was Price Investments' number two man. Second to only Adrian Price, Ethan convinced Peter to allow a dummy corporation he'd created to underwrite and construct the project. Per their agreement the company would absorb all associated cost and liabilities and Peter, Ethan and their silent partners would split the profits. Assured the arrangement wouldn't become entangled in public scrutiny and political bureaucracy, Peter agreed. But before the first shovel of dirt could be pitched or zoning permits issued, Adrian Price somehow learned of their plan and threatened to have those involved criminally prosecuted. Petrified of the community philanthropist going to the authorities, Peter was ever so elated when the announcement came Adrian had become the Widower Murder's fifth victim. And because the Lake in the Woods' deal was already in motion, the development continued despite Ethan becoming Price Investments' chief executive officer.
Peter situated himself to hear what Mrs. Fletcher and her attorney had to say. Now that Ethan was gone and Price Investments slated to be taken over by the son of the man he had despised, he felt the corporate relationship he'd maintained for twenty years was no longer in his best interest. Besides, thanks to Ethan and their silent associates, Price Investments would continue to have a formidable local competitor: Him. Utilizing the company the group and he had built and operated anonymously, effective immediately Peter would resign as city manager and reveal himself as the entity's sole proprietor. With no one aside from Ethan being able to prove otherwise, he would then pursue endeavours which until now had been deemed too risky. "I have something I'd like to say," Peter began, interrupting Mrs. Fletcher's explanation of why he had to remain as Price Investments’ liaison.
"By all means," Mrs. Fletcher replied. "Please, Peter. Feel free to voice your concerns."
Peter rose from the picnic table, glared at Lake in the Woods in the distance, and grimaced. "As of this day, I am no longer the Ypsilanti City Manager and my dealings with Price Investments are over."
YOU ARE READING
The Widower Murders
Mystery / ThrillerTwo decades ago, a total of five widowers were killed by a female serial killer named Ella Timmins. Believed to have been the fifth, local philanthropist and businessman, Adrian Price, was discovered bludgeon and mutilated in his mansion, Price Esta...
