“Morning,” Ed said.
Chad looked confused.
“Good morning, sir. Can I help you?”
Ed placed the folder on the counter.
“I’d like to discuss your lease.”
Chad’s smile disappeared.
“My lease?”
“Yes.”
“The property management company handled that.”
Ed nodded.
“Kessler Holdings?”
“Exactly.”
Ed looked him in the eye.
**“That’s me.”**
Chad froze.
And I stopped breathing.
***
Ed explained that he’d purchased the diner building in October 2011.
Gus had been close to foreclosure after serious medical expenses.
The bank was preparing to take the property.
Then someone stepped in.
Bought the building.
Paid off the outstanding loan.
And leased it back to Gus for only $1,100 a month.
Gus had never revealed the buyer’s identity.
He’d simply called the person an angel.
Now I knew.
It had been Ed.
Chad stared at him.
“But what does that have to do with my lease?”
Ed opened the folder.
