“No Sayer, we’ve got the time keeping training class tomorrow.”
“We can cancel it.”
“No, I don’t think we should. There have been some discrepancies I wanted to talk to you and your dad about. I think the time clock is important.”
“Alright. You, Dad, and I will meet first.”
I watch him go. I have only gotten through four months of just basic entry, but there seems to be several timecard issues with a couple carpenters and definitely some supply inconsistencies on the last month that I wanted to discuss with the two of them before Paul leaves on his vacation.
I’ve been down this road before. Is trouble knocking on my door because of bad luck or is someone trying to cause a distraction. Could Greg have something to do with the oddities in Sayer’s business?
CHAPTER 9
Sayer
Dad is at the table when I get back to the kitchen. “I called MaryKatherine. She’s going to bring some clothes first thing in the morning. Her daughter is about the same size as Gentry. That will get her by until you can get her shopping.”
I nod. “She insists we do the timecard training. She mentioned some inconsistencies. Have you two talked about them?”
“Yeah.” He studies his cup a moment. “I think she may be right.” He looks up. “I’m sorry, son. I may not have been paying close enough attention. After my little heart attack, I noticed some things, but there was always an explanation and a ‘we told you’. I thought I was slipping. Getting old. It’s partly why I was glad you were coming home.
“Don’t get me wrong, having you and our little one have made my life so full. But I always intended for you to have the business. To keep or to sell as you pleased. I feel like I’ve let you down by not being able to pay enough attention. My mistakes.”
“Who’s telling you that you forgot or that they’ve told you something different?”
“Clive. He’s been with me about five months. Called his references and they were all outstanding. Thought he might become my lead, until I knew you were headed home. He’s slowed down a bit lately, was a real go getter in the beginning. Then the new guy, John. Everyone calls him JonBoy. Clive recommended him.”
“What kind of things have they said you forgot?”
“I didn’t order enough beams and not enough drywall a couple times. Stuff like that. A couple times they reminded me I approved overtime.
“I’m sorry, son. I guess I just haven’t’ been all there since the health scare.”
“Dad, you are the most together man I’ve ever met. You would have been one hell of a commander. What you need is a break. Don’t worry about any of this. You go on your vacation, have fun, and send pictures. In fact, can you and MaryKatherine take a few days before the cruise and maybe spend extra time in Vancouver? You haven’t had a vacation in ten years. You deserve to relax.
“You’ve told me how sharp Gentry is. She and I will try to hold down the fort for a few weeks.”
“Vancouver could be fun. I’ll talk to MaryKatherine in the morning.”
“Go get some rest.”
I check the security on both the house and the outbuilding before calling in a couple of favors. My tech buddy who helped with the security is going to stop by and install some hidden cameras and other upgrades when no one is around.
Next, I pull out Dad’s ledger book and look at the staff names. Someone has already flagged the two names I’m looking for.
Tate answers on the second ring. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, she’s home with me. Were you able to find anyone that saw Greg slash her tires?”
“No one that would talk.”
“I don’t suppose anyone heard or saw the break-in?”
“Naw. Not a surprise. His old man was crooked as the day is long. His uncle, the last sheriff, well let’s just say I’ve seen some of his reports. He was something else. He had almost a full time job covering for his nephew, the rest was covering for himself. But hey, they were Archers. Big men in this town. Until the town started changing.”
“What’s Greg into?”
“Officially, he backs businesses for part of the profits. Unofficially, he shakes them down or finds ways to cheat them.”
