page33 (1/1)

Rylan took his ti out the cash to pay her “If you’ve lived here for soes in the area”

“Tell o, the esture took in the small courtyard, she looked upward at the redbrick facade of the gallery and beyond to the rooftops of the other units within the Diamond

“This was a warehouse, right?” Rylan asked

“Most of these buildings were originally used for that purpose,” Judith said “There was an iron foundry and feed and grain mill nearby, so these warehouses were needed to store their products The foundry closed first, but the area retained its industrial identity This building housed a construction company”

“You talk like someone who knows a lot about it”

She looked self-conscious “You got me started on my favorite subject Local history, especially the Second Street area, is a real hobby of mine”

“It’s fascinating” It was true, possibly because she was so enthusiastic about it “What happened?”

Judith shrugged “The recession hit Businesses closed one by one These buildings started to fall into disrepair and there was talk of pulling them down A foundation was set up to try and save them from demolition and preserve their identity So about how it felt to have their future ripped away, but they just couldn’t raise the funds Then a develops With support from the city council, they sold them on with business incentives for the neners The Dia, and this is an additional attraction”

“Was there any bad feeling about the change in the area?” Rylan asked

Judith pursed her lips “Not that I’m aware I run an online local history foruht these buildings about five years ago and, at that tis landscape I don’t think anyone would view the way they look now as a bad thing The Diamond has breathed new life into this area”

She took the ave her, and went back inside Judith’s brief history had given him a new perspective on the Diamond, but he wasn’t sure it helped him in any way It sounded as if the area had been dead, and the new businesses had revived it Was there a grudge buried in there somewhere? If so, it wasn’t immediately obvious

Although Judith had firmly banished Papadum from the interior of Arty Sans, Rylan was able to view the setup from his position outside There were threeJudith, all of the counter while their colleague manned the cash desk Every now and then, one person would step out from behind the counter to clear tables

None of the three women looked like crazy stalkers But that was the problem Crazy stalkers didn’t usually advertise the fact

Judith had admitted her devotion to local history Was her positive attitude to the changes sincere, or did she wish the area’s true past had been preserved? Even if she hadn’t been truthful with hiet Bree? If this was about the Diamond, surely the other businesses would also come under attack? Maybe they had

He sent a quick texthiht not like taking orders froether, and he would do whatever it took to protect Bree If that included ruffling a few Colton feathers, he’d live with the consequences

He finished his coffee “Where next?” he asked Papaduet you a beret It would give you a creative air And let people knohere your head is”

Chapter 8

Everything had been gearing up to this day The gallery shoould take place later that evening, and Bree orking with Kasey to ements were in place The exciteh her own paintings weren’t on display, she knew this would be one of the best shows Wise Gal had put on