"How wouldyouknow?" I demanded. "I knew Lloyd Grampkin a lot longer thanyouever did."
Cole gave me a look. "And you worked for him forhowlong?"
"Three whole years."As if he didn't know.
"Right. And lemme ask you something. During that time, did you ever get a raise?"
For some stupid reason, I didn't want to say.Dodging the issue, I coldly informed him, "This isn't about money."
"Isn't it?"
My chin lifted. "No."
"So you were working for free?"
"Of course not," I said. "And besides, I don't know why you're askingmeabout pay-raises.You'rethe one with my personnel file. If you're so interested, you could just look it up for yourself."
"I could," he admitted. "But I'm asking you."
"Okay, fine. No. I never got a raise – but only because times were hard."
He practically snorted. "Yeah, right."
"Theywere," I insisted. "We were losing market share all the time."
"And whose fault was that?"
"Nobody's," I said. "It's just the way it goes."
"Not the wayIsee it."
I was glaring now. "Yeah, well not everyone sees it the same."
"Obviously." His gaze sharpened. "And as long as we're asking questions, here's one." He paused for a long, ominous moment before asking in a deadly calm voice, "What aren't you telling me?"
"About what? Mister Grampkin?" I shook my head. "Nothing. And besides, the wayyoutalk, you know everything already."
His mouth tightened. "Noteverything."
Something in his demeanor reminded me of theoldCole Henster, the monster I'd hated not so long ago. As the memories came flooding back, I said, "Look, I can't help it if I feel bad. He hired me fresh out of college."
"Yeah, so?"
"So he gave me ahugebreak. I didn't even have to apply."
With a note of surprise, Cole asked, "How'dthathappen?"
"It was mostly timing," I explained. "His assistant was retiring, and he knewmefrom the candy store."
"You mean the place you're working now?"
"Yeah, I worked there in high school. In college, too. And when Mister Grampkin heard that I was graduating soon, he offered me the job right there on the spot."
Cole gave me a perplexed look. "Why?"
The question felt vaguely insulting. "You mean other than my business degree?"
Missing the point, Cole said, "Lots of people have business degrees."
