“There’s a telephone call for you,” Cathy said. “Should I tell them to hang on until half-time?”
“Very funny,” Jade remarked as she trudged up the steps.
Cathy laughed. “I’ll pour you a Coke.”
“Thanks,” Jade said over her shoulder as she padded in stocking feet toward the telephone in the hall. “Hello?”
“Miss, uh, Jade?”
“Yes.”
“This is Otis Parker.”
It had been over a week since she had left the contract at his house. She had resisted the temptation to call him and was very pleased that he had finally phoned her. She responded with feigned equanimity. “Hello, Mr. Parker.”
“Some feller answered the phone when I called the number on the card you left. He gave me this number.”
“That would have been Mr. Burke. I hope this call means that you’ve decided to accept my offer.”
“No, not quite. I’m gonna think on it awhile longer.”
She folded both hands around the telephone receiver and nodded a distracted thank-you to Graham when he delivered her cold drink.
“Mr. Parker, I’m prepared to increase my offer.” She had to proceed with caution, especially since she didn’t know for certain why he was stalling. “What would you say to an offer of seven hundred fifty thousand?”
He covered the mouthpiece. Jade could hear snatches of a muffled conversation. He was conferring with someone. Mrs. Parker? Was he asking her opinion, her advice? Or was he being coached by a third party?
He returned to the line. “To offer that much, I’d say you want the property real bad.”
“I do.”
“What for?”
“I’m not at liberty to disclose that.”
“Hmm. Well, I—”
“Before you give me your answer… I’d also be willing to give you eighteen months to vacate. In other words, GSS would own the property as soon as the deed was transferred, but we wouldn’t assume occupancy for a year and a half. That would give your family ample time to relocate. You wouldn’t be obligated to take that amount of time, but you would have the option.”
Jade sipped her Coke while another muffled conversation ensued. Her fingers were almost as cold as the frosted glass.
When Mr. Parker came back on the line, he said, “I’ll have to call you back.”
“When?”
“When I’ve made up my mind.”
“Mr. Parker, if another party is—”
“That’s all I’m saying tonight. G’bye.”
For a long moment after she hung up, she stared at the telephone receiver, wishing she had said more, wishing she had said things differently. So much was riding on her handling this situation with kid gloves. Not only was her pride at stake, but her future with GSS.
* * *
Otis Parker hung up the telephone and turned to his guests.
“Well, Otis, what will you tell her when you call her back?” Ivan peer