“I was an only child, so there was no way we wouldn’t be.”
“He seems to have provided for you and your mother.”
“He did. But some of that credit goes to Southern Republic. The mill made sure we had the benefits needed, not to mention a good wage.”
Bozin nodded. “We talked about that the other night. You really think we did some good here in Concord?”
“Without a doubt.”
Bozin paused for a moment, seemingly catching his breath. Then said, “I’m sure you’re wondering why one of the owners of the company stopped by unannounced?”
“That thought has crossed my mind.”
“First, tell me what happened at the negotiations. I wasn’t able to get back that way.”
“IAM and IBEW argued all afternoon. One of the members on Reed’s negotiations committee turned on him, in open revolt, on any five-year deal. There were some harsh words said at the table.”
Bozin chuckled. “I bet Hank was beside himself. That is the one thing he tries to avoid. Never let the other side see conflict. Too good an opportunity for us to divide and conquer.”
“He’s called an IBEW membership meeting for tonight. He assured me that by morning all opposition would be quashed.”
The older man smiled. “And I have no doubt that it will be.”
He wanted to know, “What is it I can do for you?”
“I have something I want you to keep for me.” Bozin reached beside him for a brown envelope. “It’s important that I know someone from the company has this information. I’d like for you to store it somewhere safe. If I become incapacitated, or die, please do exactly as it asks.”
What was going on? At the DA’s office months went by before he even spoke with his boss. Here, already there’d been private talks, a dinner at Hickory Row, and now one of the owners was sitting in his living room asking a personal favor. He was green to the paper industry, little more than a stranger to Bozin. Yet the man wanted to connect.
Why?
And he was still disturbed by the list of Social Security numbers and the deaths associated with each one. He wanted to make some official inquiries with management. But Hank had asked him to keep it to himself until the negotiations ended. There’d be serious questions raised as to how it was obtained, ones Hank did not want to deal with until the contracts were signed and sealed. He suspected Hank was also looking out for the source who’d done the actual snooping in the system. There would surely be repercussions. He debated bringing up the subject here and now, butdecided to respect Hank’s wishes and simply asked, “Don’t you have a personal lawyer who should handle this?”
“Several, in fact. But they’re in Atlanta and you’re here in Concord. Besides, this is company-related.”
“What about the general counsel? Shouldn’t he be the one to hold on to this?”
“I prefer you do it. Consider it a specific request employer-to-employee, if you will.”
Now he was pulling rank. “Mr. Bozin, I have reservations. I mean my boss could take this the wrong way. Concord’s a small town. News travels fast. Hell, there’s a company car sitting in front of my house. I certainly don’t want anyone thinking I’m less than a month on the job and already after my boss’ position.”
“I assure you, no one will have knowledge of what we’re doing. This is solely between you and me.”
He was still hesitant and Bozin appeared to sense his reservations.
“I realize I could have asked the general counsel to handle this. But the fact that you are less than a month on the job is why I’m asking you. I understand you’re new to the company and the industry. I, on the other hand, am not. So I ask you to trust me, as employer to employee, and do this favor for me.”
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
“What do you think?”
Bozin handed him the envelope and smiled.
“I appreciate this, Brent. I’ll rest easier tonight knowing this matter has been taken care of.”
OUTSIDECHRIS STOOD FOR A FEW MINUTES AND ADMIRED THEflower beds full of white impatiens and bushy green shrubs, happily saying goodbye to Catherine and Brent Walker. Finally, he climbed into the white Ford and headed off. Several cars lined the street. One was a dark-blue Buick, parked and apparently empty.
But as soon as he passed and began to turn the corner, he caught a glimpse in his rearview mirror—
