Behind the Pine Curtain

by Gerri Hill

  She shook her head, motioning for him to walk on. They walked to the back of the plant, where the finished product was being cut and stacked on pallets, waiting for a forklift to move it. Once outside, the noise subsided somewhat.

  “Noisy as hell,” she said.

  “Yes. They all are. Everyone wears earplugs inside.” He pointed. “Fiberboard is over there. And the creosote plant is in the back.”

  “Where the black smoke is coming from?”

  “Yes.”

  “What kind of environmental safeguards are in place?”

  “We meet the minimum standards on all the plants,” he said.

  She nodded, then pointed to the old mill that she remembered. “The sawmill is practically surrounded.”

  “Yeah. But it’s convenient. All of the by-products from the mill go immediately to the plants. In the old days, we’d have to store it and wait on the trucks to pick it up.”

  Jacqueline nodded, remembering the huge mounds of sawdust and chips that were piled high around the mill. She was about to ask another question when Walter’s cell phone rang.

  “Excuse me,” he said politely, then answered. Jacqueline watched his face, noting the frown. “Yes, she’s here now.” He looked over at her. “I understand, but it appeared to be perfectly legal.”

  Ahh. Her mother, no doubt. Jacqueline crossed her arms, not ashamed at all to be listening in on the conversation.

  “There’s nothing I can do, Madeline. Talk to your lawyers.” With that, he disconnected and shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “She’s heard?”

  “Oh, yes. I’ve been avoiding her calls all day.”

  “You two never really got along, did you?”

  “Not really, no. But now, I don’t have to see her again, do I?”

  Jacqueline lowered her head, then looked back up. “Uncle Walter, how do you really feel about all this?”

  “Well, the way I look at it, I haven’t lost anything. And honestly, I never expected anything from Nicolas, unless perhaps his share of the sawmill.” Then he smiled. “Thank God Madeline didn’t get it, is all I can say. No offense, Jacqueline. I know she’s still your mother.”

  “Well, that’s where you’re wrong. She’s just a stranger to me.”

  He shifted nervously. “Me and Joan, well, we couldn’t believe what she did. No one could. Especially Nicolas. It devastated him that he couldn’t stand up to her. You may not know this, but he changed a lot after that. Became a different person, really. More likable, more down to earth. The old Nicolas Keys would never have left one million dollars to the city for a park and library.”

  “Well, then perhaps some good came of it all, huh?”

  “You know, I’m sure Joan would love for you to come by and visit. Maybe have dinner with us one night.”

  “No offense, Uncle Walter, but it’s been a long time. I’ve changed, too. Perhaps for now, we should just stick to business.”

  “I understand. Of course.” He walked back toward the golf cart and Jacqueline followed. “About that, have you decided what you’re going to do?”

  “Do?”

  “I mean, with all this. It can run itself for awhile. You were right, Nicolas hired good men. Some are local, but most not. But, bottom line, it’s going to need direction. There has to be someone to defer to when questions arise. And they will, trust me.”

  “The sensible part of me says to sell it and be on my way. But the stubborn part says to stay and piss my mother off.”

  He laughed heartily, bending over at the waist. She finally joined in, not really intending it to be so funny. It was simply the truth.

  “Oh, can you imagine the talk in town? It would kill her, I think.”

  “Well, that’s not my intention.”

  “Paybacks?”

  She grinned. “Perhaps.” Despite her earlier apprehension, she was actually enjoying her time with Walter. He’d mellowed quite a bit. She wondered if he was all that upset that she was here. All these years, he hadn’t had to change a thing, just keep running the sawmill like he always had, only suddenly, he was making a lot more money doing it. Why should he want the headache of Keys Industries? “Listen, let’s can the rest of the tour. I think I’d like to meet with the managers and see what’s going on and who’s in charge. Or are they deferring questions to you now?”

  “No. Nicolas made it clear that I was no part of Keys Industries.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you worked closely together.”

  “Again, no offense, but he did his thing and I did mine. And I’d have been crazy to buck it, even if I could.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He had controlling interests in the sawmill. So, whatever decisions were made, we discussed it, but if it was something he really wanted to do, he didn’t need my approval.”

  “But?”

  “But, we usually agreed, so there were few problems. When he first got the idea for the plants, I thought he was crazy. But, he used his own money to finance them so I didn’t really have a say. When he wanted to build them here, on sawmill land, I couldn’t say no. He was majority owner.”

  “But you were compensated?”

  “Yes. Keys Industries paid Pine Springs Lumber, which in turn, paid me.”

  Jacqueline shook her head. Uncle Walter, bless his heart, really didn’t have a clue. Because her father owned sixty percent of the sawmill, Keys Industries only paid out forty percent of the normal cost, yet yielded one hundred percent of the profit. Her father was actually a very smart man. Even she, with little business sense, could see that.

  “Since you already know Greg, I’ll let him introduce you around. I can’t promise that everyone is here, though. Their schedules vary and some work from home at times. Greg will know.”

  “What exactly is Greg’s position?”

  “Started out running the computers. Not that I know a whole lot about that. I mean, I’ve got one in my office, and I know how to check my e-mail, that’s about it. But your father liked him, and Greg’s pretty smart. But exactly what he does? I don’t know. I only know he’s got his nose in a computer all day long.”

  Jacqueline paused as she walked around the golf cart, sticking out her hand to shake her uncle’s. “Thank you for the tour. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem. And I’m sorry about the thing at the gate. I completely forgot to tell Paul you’d be coming by.”

  Jacqueline stared at him, trying to see if he was lying or not. What better way to put her in her place than to have the gates closed to her? But no, he seemed completely sincere. “It’s okay. I’ll be in touch. We will, no doubt, have a lot to discuss.”

  “You know where to find me.”

  She watched him drive off, dirty jeans, work hat and all. No, he wasn’t a businessman or entrepreneur. He was just a man who loved his work. And, if she sold to a large corporation, he would be very easy to take advantage of. They would have him for lunch.

  She sighed, finally taking off the hardhat and running her fingers through her hair. She couldn’t worry about Walter now. She had her own problems. With that, she climbed the steps to the offices, pausing only briefly before opening the door. It was cool and quiet inside. A young woman sat at the reception desk and smiled politely at her.

  “Good afternoon. How can I help you?”

  Jacqueline moved forward, smiling slightly. “Is Greg around?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Do you have an appointment?”

  Jacqueline raised an eyebrow. For a small town, they were awfully concerned with appointments. “No. But please get him for me, would you?”

  “And your name?”

  Jacqueline grinned. “Jackie.”

  “Jackie?”

  “Just Jackie.”

  She nodded slowly, pointing to one of the visitor chairs. “Stay here.”

  “Right here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.”

  Jacqueline rolled her eyes. God, she’d rather be anywhere than going thro
ugh all this. Well, actually, she’d rather be sitting on the floor with Kay, talking. It occurred to her that Kay was still as affectionate as ever. Kay was always touching her when they were kids and that hadn’t changed. Jacqueline liked it. In fact, she—

  “Jackie?”

  Jacqueline blinked, putting thoughts of Kay from her mind. “Greg.”

  “Trying to scare the hired help?” he whispered.

  She laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist.”

  “Come on back.”

  His office was a mess, littered with computers and cables and papers and, God, a thousand pictures of Rose and the kids.

  “Excuse the clutter, but I swear, I know where everything is.”

  Jacqueline picked up a picture, smiling. It was from years ago. Rose was still thin, and there was only one kid in the photo. Lee Ann, no doubt. “Cute.”

  He blushed, but straightened the picture when Jacqueline put it back. Then he sat down in his chair, waiting for Jacqueline to start.

  Instead Jacqueline looked around, counting monitors. “You have four computers in here?”

  He grinned. “Actually, I have nine. Each monitor can be hooked up to several at once.”

  “So, you really are a computer geek,” she said as she took a seat.

  “Yep.”

  She smiled. “In my day, that was considered an insult.”

  “Quite a compliment today, thank you.”

  She nodded. “So, what exactly do you do here?”

  “My title? I’m the network—”

  “Not your title. What do you do?”

  He shrugged. “A little of everything, actually. I run the network, of course. And the security cameras are all online. I manage all the servers—we have five of them. And most recently, I’ve been doing the purchasing online, and sales.”

  “Purchasing and sales? What do the managers do?”

  “Each plant has a manager. They keep track of inventory, mainly. They let me know what we’ve got to sell. If the demand is more than we can produce using only the sawmill for by-products, we’ll purchase waste from another mill and ship it in.”

  “Doesn’t that cut into the profit?”

  “Yes. But your father didn’t want to lose business.”

  “What about maintenance?”

  “Maintenance? On the equipment?”

  “Yes.”

  “There’s a crew. We’re round the clock now. Have been for the last six years or so. Maintenance has a regular shift, just like everyone else. Why?”

  “Just wondering if that was outsourced or not.”

  “No, no. Keys Industries is pretty self-sufficient.”

  “How many managers are there?”

  “Well, let’s see.” He counted silently, marking off names on his fingers. “Counting Walter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Five managers over the plants. Then, maintenance has one, but they’re not really involved in the operations, you know.”

  “Are they all here today?”

  “No. Peterson lives all the way over in Jasper, and he only comes in once a week. He works from home. Mark Edwards is traveling this week.”

  “Traveling?”

  “He’s creosote plant. The regional office for the phone company is taking bids on poles.”

  “So, there’s not like a sales group?”

  “No. Your father was it. But, everything is pretty much set. We’ve got contracts for most of the home building suppliers in the entire state, not just East Texas. And we ship to six surrounding states. There is one thing that he was working on that someone’s going to have to take over, though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Cattle feed.”

  “Cattle feed?”

  “There’s a place in Canada that buys most of our sawdust and wood chips. They make wood molasses—it’s used in cattle feed.”

  “And?”

  “And your father didn’t want to sell the sawdust for pennies and let some company in Canada turn around and sell the feed for a huge profit. We’re making next to nothing on the deal.”

  “So, make it yourself?”

  “Yeah.”

  “He obviously had too much time on his hands.”

  “Well, like I said the other night, he had a vision.”

  She closed her eyes. A vision? Great. “Okay, accountants? Did he have a CPA firm in town or what?”

  “No, they’re all here. Four in that department, plus a secretary.”

  “They handled all finances?”

  “Yes.”

  “And who, you know, audited them?”

  “Your father has a firm out of Houston that audits and does the taxes.”

  “That’s smart.”

  “Yeah. We haven’t had any problems since I’ve been here. No one’s lost their job, anyway.”

  “Okay, you know what? I’m on overload right now. I wanted to meet with some of them, but not now. Right now, I think I need a drink.”

  Greg laughed. “I know what you mean. You want me to tell them you’ll come back, what? Tomorrow?”

  “How about you send out an e-mail to everyone that we’re going to have a staff meeting? I’d like everyone to attend, even this Peterson person in Jasper. And the accounting staff, of course. I’ll see if Mr. Lawrence can make it, too.”

  “I’ll get right on it. What time?”

  “Let’s do it Friday morning. That’ll give everyone notice. What about the traveling guy? Edwards?”

  “I’ll get in touch with him. He’s in the Dallas area.”

  “Thanks, Greg.”

  “So? Are we still on for tonight? Rose wanted to know if she needed to do dinner or if you’d come after?”

  “Tell you what. I think Kay gets cranky if she doesn’t get her pizza fix at least once a week. How about we pick up a couple to bring over?”

  “That sounds great.”

  “What about the kids? Anything special?”

  “Kay will know.”

  Jacqueline stood, extending her hand to Greg. “Thanks Greg. We’ll talk more tonight, okay?”

  “Sure. Look forward to it.”

  Jackie paused at the door. “One more thing. Where was my father’s office?”

  “Second floor. You want to go up? I’m sure Mrs. Willis would show you around.”

  “Mrs. Willis? That was his secretary’s name way back then.”

  “She’s still here.”

  Jacqueline nodded. “Tell you what. Why don’t you call her, tell her I’m on my way up. I just want to look around some.”

  “Of course.”

  Jacqueline took the stairs next to Greg’s office, wondering how many times a day he used them. At the top, she paused only slightly before opening the door. She entered at the edge of a large lobby. A vase of a dozen roses sat on one of the two tables, which were both littered with magazines.

  “You must be Jacqueline. Come in, dear.”

  Jacqueline saw the tiny woman move gracefully into the lobby, beckoning her closer.

  “I’m Mrs. Willis, you probably don’t remember me.”

  “Yes, I do, actually. You’re looking well.”

  The older woman blushed. “As charming as your father. I swear, no one took the news harder than I did. That man was a saint, as far as I’m concerned.”

  Jacqueline nodded, then looked around. “Nice. Did he occupy the entire floor?”

  “Half.” She pointed. “Through the double doors down there, the managers all have offices. And Mr. Lawrence, of course.”

  “He has an office here?”

  “I assume John only told you as much as he thought you needed to know.”

  Jacqueline shoved her hands in her pockets, walking slowly toward the office that bore her father’s name. She turned. “My father obviously trusted you, you’ve been with him forever.”

  The old woman just smiled. “How do you like living by the bay? I understand it’s beautiful there.”

  Jackie hid her surprise, or thought she
did. “It’s quite lovely, Mrs. Willis. Very different from East Texas.”

  “Oh, I imagine.”

  Jackie nodded. “I assume then, that you are aware of my position?”

  “Of course, Jacqueline. May I call you Jacqueline?”

  Jacqueline grinned. “I doubt I’ll answer to Ms. Keys.”

  “Speaking of her, rumor has it that you’ve been banned from the hospital.”

  Jacqueline’s eyes twinkled. “Who controls the hospital, Mrs. Willis?”

  “Why, Keys Industries, of course.”

  Jackie smiled. “Shall we have her discharged?”

  The old woman bent over in laughter, then drew Jacqueline into her father’s office.

  “Come, look at where he spent his time. He was very happy here, Jacqueline. He spent much more time here than he did at home. Were you aware that your parents had separate wings in their home? Tragedy, what she drove him to.”

  Jacqueline ran her hands across the shiny, wooden desk. Everything was neat, tidy. Her mouth fell open when she saw the picture. It was of her. She was walking along Monterey Bay. Her eyes flew to Mrs. Willis.

  “He kept up with you, yes.”

  “You knew about the will in advance? About Keys Industries?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Yet Madeline never knew?”

  Mrs. Willis stood up straight. “I never gossip, Jacqueline. Whatever is spoken inside this room, never leaves this room.”

  Jacqueline moved to the windows, looking out at the plants. “Who did my father trust the most?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She turned back to the room. “Of the managers, of the staff, who did he trust the most?”

  “What exactly is it you’re asking?”

  “Who was his right hand?”

  Mrs. Willis smiled. “Oh, that’s easy. Greg Kubiak. He’s one smart young man. Your father relied on him for nearly everything.”

  Jacqueline frowned. “Yet he wasn’t one of the managers.”

  “Well, no, he knew too much about the whole operation to be one of the managers.”

  “What’s his salary?”

  “Oh, I don’t have access to payroll records.”

  Jacqueline cocked her head, eyebrow raised.