Thx for the ideas. I'm already doing a lot of customization to this application so staying with the built-in Method security (roles/users) features would be a big benefit if at all possible.
My Solution: I wound up removing the 'Delete' link from the ItemList grid and adding a Delete button (as link) to the ItemInventory screen instead. I then secured the link, making it visible to only those roles that are allowed to delete an item.
I'll keep your custom workaround ideas in mind, though, should the built-in Method features prove inadequate for what I want to do.
Thx again.