This is book 3 of the "Holly Barker" series.

This note contains spoilers for the book.

Holly Barker inhabits the same universe as Stone Barrington, Will Lee, and for that matter Ed Eagle.

Two out of three serious bidders for a government auction die just before the auction; the third has a near-miss, in Holly's presence. (There are two other bidders, but they haven't met the minimum.)

It takes people a long time to realize that Ed Shine, the third developer, who profits immensely from getting such a good price, arranged the killings (and the failed attempt on himself as cover). I thought it was likely thousands of words before anyone else considered it.

This is where Holly acquired the money Stone helps her deal with in another book I read recently.