by Rayna Morgan
“You could have joined me. I wouldn’t have told your mother.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t share your thoughts.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He nodded his head slowly. “The rule with your mother and me was that I didn't talk shop. It wasn't proper dinner conversation for two young girls.”
“I would have loved to hear. Much more interesting than listening to Maddy brag about her winning field goal or Mom describe her flower show.”
Warren grinned. “Hopefully, I’ve made up for it since my retirement by sharing my stories.”
“It’s not the cases so much as how you pieced together the facts to find the guilty party that fascinates me.”
“Yes, that was the fun part.” His eyes sparkled. “You’re like me in that regard. Maddy’s a doer. You’re a thinker.”
“It's the reason Jon prefers debate to basketball.” She poked her father's arm. “And why he’s beating you at chess.”
• • •
When their guests left, Lea turned out the lights while her husband locked the doors.
“Great dinner tonight, babe,” he told her. “Are you coming upstairs?”
“As soon as I put things away in my office.”
When she heard her husband in Jon’s room saying good night, she turned off her computer and picked up her phone. Talking with her father had inspired her. She tapped in her neighbor’s number.
Ida answered on the second ring.
“I hope you weren’t in bed,” Lea said.
“Heavens, no,” the older woman assured her. “I’m staying up as late as possible so I’ll fall asleep and not lie there listening for noises.”
“It’s the noises I’m calling about. Let me know if you hear them again. I’ll try to find out what’s causing them.”
CHAPTER FOUR
The next day, Lea returned to Fresh & Healthy to update Ryan Olson on what she learned from her father and Tom. She approached the young woman at the first register. “Good morning, Libby. Is Mr. Olson available?”
The clerk seemed surprised at Lea’s second request in as many days, but her hesitation was brief. “I’ll be happy to call him.”
“Tell him Lea Austin’s here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Libby had the manner of someone eager to please. She spoke into a phone at the side of the register. “He’ll be right here, Mrs. Austin.”
Lea nodded and stepped away from the checkout lane. She watched as Libby greeted customers by name.
The cashier glanced in her direction as she bagged a purchase. “Would you like me to page Mr. Olson again?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Lea said, looking over Libby’s head.
Ryan Olson wore the same red apron and welcoming smile as the day before. He steered her away from customers. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“I have news you’ll be interested to hear.”
“Let’s go to my office.”
He turned toward the cashier. “I’ll be with Mrs. Austin. Page me if I’m needed.”
“Libby is a nice girl,” Lea commented, following Ryan through double doors leading to the back of the store. “She’s good with customers. Did you hire her?”
“Most of the employees, including Libby, were here when I arrived. I’ve been managing this store less than six months.” He pointed as they passed a room filled with tables and comfortable chairs. “That’s our employee lounge.”
Baskets of fresh fruit and snack bars lined a counter beside a juice dispenser. On the wall outside the break room, a cork board displayed advertised specials, scheduled deliveries, and work shifts for the current week.
Ryan ushered her into a room at the end of the hall and took a seat behind a moderate-sized desk. Lea sat on a folding chair. “Your short time here explains why I hadn’t seen you before meeting you at Gracie’s agility class.”
“I was happy when the company assigned me to Buena Viaje.” He pointed to a picture of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is our flagship store.”
“I knew the previous manager before he moved back east to be closer to his wife’s family. Everyone thought the assistant manager would take his place.”
“Sales in this store were lagging. I was brought in to increase the volume so the numbers meet corporate projections. If I succeed, I’m in line for a promotion to district manager. The higher salary would be a welcome relief. My wife is pregnant with our third child.”
“Then I wish you every success.”
“It will be difficult if we’re forced to keep raising prices due to food thefts.” His smile disappeared and he lowered his eyes. “Besides hurting the company, you witnessed the friction between my cousin and me.”
Lea studied his sorrowful expression. “How can your cousin hold you responsible?”
“It appears to be an inside job since the hijackers have knowledge of shipping and delivery schedules. Sunny insists no one at his orchard is involved.” Ryan’s voice raised a notch. “I’m just as adamant in defense of my employees. Believe me, it’s put a strain on family relations.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
The big man wrung his hands. “I defend these people to my cousin. To tell the truth, I’ve begun to have doubts.”
Lea’s eyebrows arched. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Have you asked the police to interview employees you suspect?”
“I don’t want police here. It’s bad for business.” His forehead creased and the corners of his eyes wrinkled. “I’ve been thinking of something since you and I talked yesterday.”
“What is it?”
“Would you be willing to talk to my employees and tell me what you think?”
Lea drew back, knocking her purse to the floor. “Me!”
Ryan continued hurriedly. “I find myself looking over their shoulder. I can’t help it. It’s a terrible feeling. If you assure me they’re not involved, it will put my mind at ease.”
Questions flooded her mind as she picked up her bag. “What possible excuse would I have to interview them?”
“You told me about your work preparing marketing and promotional material. I’ll tell the employees I’ve asked you to create a brochure highlighting our produce.”
She gazed at pictures of rural landscapes on the office walls. “You mean using a theme such as fresh from farm to table?”
“That’s it!” Ryan’s enthusiasm was contagious. “In fact, I haven’t used my advertising budget for this quarter. I’ll pay you and give you a legitimate reason to talk to the employees.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “There’s no need to do that. If you ever hire me, base it on the merits of my writing, not on my detecting skills. But I’ll speak with your staff, if it makes you feel better.”
“Can you spare the time?”
“If it’s all right with you, I’ll ask my sister to help. That will draw attention away from me, and I’ll get the job done in half the time.”
“Thank you, Lea.” He grinned sheepishly and pulled a paper from the pocket of his apron. “I anticipated your agreement. Here’s a list of employees. I’ve highlighted the three I consider to be the most likely suspects.”
Lea couldn’t conceal her surprise at the first name in yellow. “You’re worried about Libby?”
“Not her so much, but she has an unsavory boyfriend who hangs around the store waiting for her shift to end.”
“I’ll try to speak with him.” She took out a pen. “Do you know his name?”
“No, but you can’t miss him. He’s usually in the parking lot sitting on a black motorcycle. His neck and arms are covered with tattoos.”
She got goosebumps and wished she hadn’t volunteered to speak to him. “I won’t promise any results where he’s concerned. He’d have no reason to answer questions.”
Ryan nodded. “I understand, but I’d value your opinion. I suppose I’m over protective but these people are like family. If I were her dad, I wouldn’t appro
ve of her spending time with him.”
Lea smiled. “Your baby is going to have a good father.” She pointed to the second name which surprised her as much as the first. “Sheldon Palmer, the assistant manager?”
He raised both hands. “I’m not suggesting Sheldon because he’s competition for my job, although he wants it. As you mentioned earlier, the title was expected to fall to him when the company replaced my predecessor.”
“Is he ready for senior management?”
“Sheldon feels he is. He got into the company’s training program right out of college and finished with impressive marks. But he didn’t work his way up through various positions as I did. It would be unusual for someone with limited experience to be awarded this position.”
“Does he resent you?”
“Not me personally. He resents the company for transferring me from another store instead of promoting him.”
An idea entered Lea’s head. She hated to raise the question, but felt she must. “If Sheldon’s a thorn in your side, maybe you’d like to get rid of him.”
“To the contrary, I think Sheldon will make a good manager. If I make district manager, he’ll be the first person I promote.”
Lea relaxed when she heard his response. “But if you don’t consider his resentment reason to worry, why highlight his name?”
“From a practical standpoint, he has knowledge of everything that goes on in the store. He helps place orders and is responsible for delivery schedules. I pay invoices, but Sheldon has access to shipment information.”
The final name was unfamiliar. “What can you tell me about Jason Jones?”
“Jason works in the back room receiving deliveries, storing merchandise, and stocking shelves. Sunny Orchards uses its own trucks to deliver to stores in our chain. But Jason drives our truck to pick up smaller orders from local farmers.”
“Why do you suspect him? Surely, the amounts he picks up aren’t big enough to warrant criminal action.”
“No, but he was driving when one of the shipments was stolen. After that instance, the frequency of thefts escalated.”
“You think Jason sold a load and got greedy for a bigger score?”
“The thought crossed my mind.”
She hesitated, not wanting to sound indelicate. “Is he smart enough to arrange heists of this size and complexity?”
“No, but he may have been contacted by people who understand how much money can be made and recruited him as a source for delivery locations and dates.”
Lea sighed. “I hope for this young man’s sake, he isn’t involved in the black market.”
“If he had anything to do with the first heist, he’s involved whether he wants to be or not.”
A sound came over the public page. Mr. Olson to cashier one.
They pushed their chairs back and stood. Lea folded the list and placed it in her bag. “I’ll be in touch after I’ve talked to your employees. In the meantime, don’t sell yourself short. It will take more than stolen nuts to put your promotion in jeopardy.”
“I hope you’re right.” His mouth turned up in a less than genuine smile. He moved around his desk and opened the door. “Thank you for agreeing to do this, Lea. It’s a weight off my mind.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I’ve completed my interviews. Hopefully, with news that your employees are in the clear.”
Lea called her sister before driving out of the parking lot. “Is it time for your coffee break? I could meet you at Starbucks.”
“Sounds like you’ve got something on your mind. Does that mean you’re buying?”
“I’ll even spring for a muffin.”
“Hmmm. Must be big. In that case, I’ll need a latte to go, too.”
“Don't push your luck. See you in fifteen minutes.”
On her way, she devised a cover story for her sister using Maddy’s job as an interior decorator at a local furniture store. By the time she pulled into a parking spot in front of Starbucks, Lea had examined their stories from every angle and was confident they would work.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lea inhaled the pungent aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and moved in line behind a woman with long brunette hair.
The woman looked over her shoulder. “I’ve already ordered for you.”
“How do you know what I want, Maddy?”
“Because you always order the same thing.”
“Am I so predictable?” Lea asked. She paid for the items while they waited for a clerk to heat a muffin.
Maddy led the way to a table by the window. “You order the same latte when we have coffee, the same salad when we eat lunch, and the same entrée for dinner. That's my definition of predictable.”
Lea sulked as they took a seat. “What did you order, Miss Unpredictable?”
“A cotton candy frappuccino.” Maddy flung her shoulder bag over the corner of the chair.
“That sounds disgusting." Lea scrunched her nose. “Have you had it before?”
“Of course not,” her sister replied breezily. “That’s why I ordered it.” She scooped whipped cream into her mouth. “Delicious! Want a sip?”
“I’ll pass.”
“So what do you want to talk me into?”
“What makes you think I want to talk you into something?”
“Like I said, you’re—”
“Predictable, I know.” Lea lowered her head. Her sister had a way of dampening her enthusiasm. “Never mind. I’m not going to ask.”
Maddy set down her drink. “C’mon, Sis. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m interested. Tell me what you’re up to.”
Lea recounted her meeting with Ryan Olson and finished by showing her sister the highlighted list of employees. “Would you interview one of these people?”
“Which one” Maddy asked tentatively.
“How about the cashier, Libby Sutton?” She watched Maddy’s reaction.
Her sister thought a moment before snapping her fingers. “You think I have a better chance of getting to her boyfriend.”
“He’s more likely to speak to you.”
“Because you think biker types relate more to me?”
“I was thinking of your ability to get what you want. No man can resist you.”
“My ex-husband figured out a way when he cheated on me,” Maddy said. She slurped her drink.
“Let’s not go there. Will you help me, or not?”
Maddy popped the last bit of muffin in her mouth. “Oh, all right. When have I ever refused to join in your adventures, even though I should know better? Growing up, it was your cops-and-robbers ideas that got us in trouble.”
“I don’t remember my brilliant ideas being a problem.”
“You wouldn't. Most of the time, I was the one Dad grounded.”
“You were grounded for playing hooky with the boys.”
“School was boring. I only went for the sports.”
“And drama classes; you starred in every play," Lea reminded her. "You have a flair for the dramatic and you’re good with a camera. We'll pass you off as a person doing artwork for the brochure.”
“That won’t require acting skill.” Maddy licked the rim of her cup. “When I help my clients redecorate, I take lots of before and after pictures.”
“Great! We can start tomorrow.” Lea hesitated. “Do you even know where the health food store is?”
Maddy stuck out her chin. “Don’t worry; if you’re referring to my preference for slurpees and French fries over vegetable juice and apples, I’ll find my way. Besides, it might be fun playing detective. It’s what you’ve always wanted.”
Lea observed her sister’s smug expression. “What do you mean?”
“To follow in Dad’s footsteps.”
Color tinted Lea’s face before she raised her palm. “Sister sleuths, Mad. Agree or not?”
Maddy smacked hands in a high-five gesture. “Sister sleuths.”
CHAPTER SIX
Sprinklers sprayed the bushes leading to
the entrance of the food store. A sign indicated it was an hour before opening. Following Ryan’s instructions, Lea drove to the back and parked next to a door marked Employees Only.
Checking her hair in the rearview mirror, she observed two men standing beside a truck with the engine idling. One man in his mid-twenties was dressed in casual business mode; striped tie on a blue shirt under a sweater vest of the same color. Wire glasses and a mustache accented a face framed by sideburns.
The younger man wore a plaid shirt, jeans, and expensive athletic shoes. His skin matched the brown color of his shirt. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but he reached out to accept some money and displayed a toothy grin before the first person slapped him on the back, ran up the stairs beside the loading dock, and disappeared inside the building.
After locking her car, she knocked on the employee door. The mustached man who responded wore wire glasses. A white badge pinned to the blue sweater vest identified him as Sheldon Palmer, Assistant Manager, the person she had come to see.
“Ryan told me to expect you,” he said. “I’ll do the interview as he asked, but I can’t give you more than a few minutes. The hour before we open is a busy one for me.”
“I could come back when you’re not busy.”
“A time when I’m not busy doesn’t exist.” His rudeness put her off. Does he lack social skills, or is he reluctant to deal with me?
He led her past the manager’s office to one with his name on it. Pausing momentarily, he turned around. “Let’s go to the break room. My office isn’t big enough for two.”
Do I detect resentment?
They sat at a table furthest from the juice bar where employees were greeting each other. Instead of coffee, they were drinking yellow or orange liquid. Glancing in their direction, he seemed to remember his manners. “Would you like pineapple or orange juice? It’s prepared fresh every morning.”
“Pineapple juice, please.”
Lea observed Sheldon’s interaction with other people as he filled two glasses. No one appeared eager to converse with him beyond a peremptory greeting.
He set a glass in front of her and took a seat. “Ryan tells me you’re preparing a new brochure highlighting our produce department.”