Sizzling Cold Case

by Rayna Morgan

  She nodded. “Go on. Tell me what happened that night.”

  “I provided comfort she needed and a shoulder to cry on.” He uttered a choking sound. “When it came time for me to leave, neither of us was strong enough to do the right thing. When Tom came home, he found us in each other’s arms. He read more in the situation than occurred, but it was easier for him to blame me than to admit failure in his marriage.”

  Her voice was stern. “That sounds like a weak excuse for inexcusable behavior.”

  He lowered his head and neither of them spoke.

  When he looked up, his eyes were sad but his speech was brusque. “The kind of inexcusable behavior expected from the black sheep of the family.”

  Maddy raised a hand. “Stop. I don’t want to hear another word. I suggest you repair your relationship with your brother. But I won’t be a go-between to patch things up, if that’s what you came for.”

  His response was cruel. “Not really. I was hoping to pick up the pieces of another relationship my brother ruined.”

  “You’re despicable!” she shouted. “It’s no wonder Tom told you to leave. Now go, and don’t come back.”

  He strolled toward the door, but turned before leaving.

  “It may be pointless, but I have to ask.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t repeat our conversation to my brother.”

  “Get out!”

  • • •

  Shaken by the visit, Maddy called her sister. She gave details of her conversation with Jack including the part about Tom finding Jack with his wife.

  “He insisted nothing happened, but Tom didn’t believe him.”

  Lea sympathized. “That was a difficult chat.”

  “I ended up throwing him out.”

  “I would have done the same thing.”

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better. The whole scene rattled me.”

  “You need to tell Tom.”

  “It might open an old wound. Like Jack said, Tom would tell me if he wanted me to know.”

  “Tom never talks about his family. Even Paul doesn’t know much.”

  “If Tom has family problems, he doesn’t burden me with them.”

  “That’s not a burden in a relationship. It’s allowing another person to provide comfort and understanding.”

  “The kind of comfort Jack provided Tom’s wife?”

  “Wounds don’t heal without being tended to,” Lea said. “It’s up to Tom to decide what to do with the information. But if he finds out and you didn’t tell him, he’ll resent it.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I hate to think I might hurt Tom or make him angry. I wish I’d never seen Jack.”

  “We don’t always choose the events we’re caught in the middle of. Sometimes those events lead to a door that may otherwise have remained closed forever.”

  “I’ll hold that thought. Thanks for listening.”

  “When will I see you at the agency again?”

  “I’ll stop by after I meet with the plastic surgeon to let you know how I make out. If you want my opinion, it’s a waste of time. Still, I’d rather be there than spending time with a bug catcher.”

  Maddy bid her sister good night and fixed a cup of tea.

  She realized she hadn’t told Lea that Jack hit on her, but knew the reason for the omission.

  He doesn’t mean things he says.

  Jack is hurting. It’s simply his way of hurting back.

  She didn’t know how, but she would find a way to patch the brothers’ broken relationship.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Lea arrived at the pest control company bright and early the next morning to meet with the owner.

  The girl at the front desk was applying lipstick when Lea entered.

  “I’m here to see Mr. Turner.”

  “He told me you were coming. I’m Suzanne.” She dropped the lipstick tube in a drawer. “He’s on the phone. I’ll let him know you’re here as soon as he finishes. Would you like coffee?”

  “Thank you.”

  The girl tugged at the hem of a tight skirt which ended inches above her knees, and walked to the coffeemaker.

  Lea accepted steaming coffee in a styrofoam cup. “Do you like working here?”

  “Oh, yes,” Suzanne answered, returning to her desk. “This is my first real job since I graduated from high school. It’s exciting to earn my own money. I plan on getting an apartment soon.”

  A young Hispanic man walked through the front door and walked to a time clock mounted on the wall. He winked at the receptionist as he pulled a card from a rack and stamped it.

  “Nice blouse, Suzanne. You look hot.”

  She stifled a giggle as a middle-aged man entered from the back hallway.

  Rod Turner introduced himself. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Lea. Come with me.”

  He led her into his office and closed the door.

  While she got settled, he stared out the window at the back lot where employees were showing up for work.

  “I don’t feel right doing this.” He nodded toward the yard. “Spying on them. They’re like family.”

  “You have every right to know what’s going on, Mr. Turner. From what you told me, your company is headed for bankruptcy. Our investigation is in the best interest of your employees. If we find out your business is more profitable than it appears, it could save their jobs.”

  His shoulders slumped. “Perhaps I’ve been afraid to admit I’m not as proficient at running a business as I thought. I worked in the industry for years before going out on my own. I felt I knew what I was doing.”

  “It may be a hard truth to accept, but at least you’ll know the cause of the failure rests on your shoulders and is not outside influences you couldn’t control.”

  His posture straightened. “Where do we begin?”

  “Tell me about your employees.”

  “The inside staff comprises three people besides myself. An office manager, a salesman, and a receptionist.”

  “Did you check backgrounds before hiring them?”

  He seemed put off by the question. “I’m afraid not. In retrospect, I can see how you might find that foolish. But it’s important to remember that we started as a mom-and-pop shop. We’ve grown, but I still consider us a small business with a growing family of long-time employees. Most of them are acquaintances or people who came through referrals.

  “My office manager, Cheryl Bassett, has been with me from the beginning. She’s the most diligent employee you could hope to find.”

  He held up a picture of himself and two women, one holding a baby. “She’s become a dear friend and the godmother of our second child.”

  Replacing the picture, he continued. “Cheryl hired our receptionist, Suzanne. The person in charge of getting new accounts is Nolan Miller. Normally, I wouldn’t try to take someone away from a competitor. In this case, Nolan approached me. I was impressed with his professionalism and courtesy.”

  “Did you ask why he was willing to leave his current employ?”

  Rod looked perplexed. “Not that I recall. I considered myself lucky to get him.”

  “How many do you employ in the field?”

  “Seven, plus Juan and Sal Gomez. Juan is our lead inspector. He’s the hardest working person I know. His attitude is a positive influence on all of us. He always has a smile and is ready to do whatever it takes to get a job done. Juan could be named the employee of the month all year long.”

  Lea admired Rod’s feelings for his employees. His reference as family seemed more than empty sentiment.

  “Are the Gomez men brothers?”

  “Cousins. Sal does fumigations and handles repairs for structural damage. He’s an outstanding carpenter who takes pride in his workmanship.” He grinned. “He’s also a bit of a slacker. But Juan runs roughshod over his cousin if Sal’s not working hard enough.”

  “Did you neglect to check their employment history as well?”

  “You can’t
fault me as far as those two are concerned. Your husband recommended them when a client of his laid them off. I hired Juan first and his cousin shortly after.”

  “Then there should be no problem. Paul does background checks on all the people hired by his clients. Still, it won’t hurt to find out what he can tell me.”

  “You won’t need to interview the field workers. They have no access to office records or finances.”

  “You may think they lack the means to engage in underhanded activity, but keep in mind that two or more employees may be in it together. Someone who works in the field may be in cahoots with office personnel.”

  “I hadn’t considered that. I guess that’s why I hired you. You look at things differently. Not a view I share, but one which may benefit my company.”

  They rehearsed her cover story and he took her to meet the office manager.

  • • •

  Rod introduced her to a heavy-set woman in her fifties with sagging jowls and unruly hair.

  “Cheryl Bassett, meet Lea Austin. Lea’s here to recommend what we can do to streamline operations and increase productivity. Lea will start by interviewing employees to find out each person’s function. When you finish, introduce her to Nolan and the others.”

  Cheryl commented after Rod left and Lea took a seat. “No need to introduce Nolan. He’ll hit on you before we finish.”

  She offered Biscotti from a tin on her desk. “Would you like something to go with your coffee?”

  Lea declined and took a notebook from her purse.

  “Rod mentioned he might hire a consultant.” Cheryl bit into a biscuit and wiped crumbs from the front of her dress. “If you ask me, it’s a waste of money.”

  “Any business owner is concerned about declining profits.”

  “Rod worries too much. We’ve faced hard times before. We get through them. Just like I did with my mother.”

  “Your mother?”

  “She got sick last year and moved to a convalescent home.”

  “That’s tough. Nursing homes are expensive.”

  “I weathered the bump, the same as Rod and I will get through this.”

  “Rod tells me you were the first person he hired,” Lea said as she scribbled a note.

  Cheryl spoke with pride. “It started with only the two of us in the office. I was bookkeeper, receptionist, and accounts manager all in one.”

  She jerked her head in the direction of the receptionist. “Now, of course, we have Suzanne and Nolan.”

  “How did you come to work for Rod?”

  “We became friends at another company where we worked. When Rod went out on his own, he insisted I come with him. My employer was sorry to see me go, but he knew Rod and I were close.”

  She pointed to the only picture on her desk. A baby dressed in a flowing lace gown and a bonnet.

  “I’m godmother to Rod’s child.”

  Lea took a moment to admire the picture.

  “Getting back to your comment about Nolan. Is he a ladies’ man?”

  Cheryl’s upper lip curled. “In his opinion, he’s irresistible. Some women clients agree based on the complaint from an angry husband over a house call Nolan made.”

  “Was Rod aware of the incident?”

  “I handled it, but Nolan doesn’t learn. His flirtatious ways will end up causing trouble.”

  “By getting him fired?”

  “Rod doesn’t have the heart to fire anyone. Even so, mark my words…”

  Before Lea could pursue the issue, Cheryl shouted. “Suzanne, where are you?”

  She shook her head angrily and reached for the ringing phone.

  • • •

  As Lea waited for Cheryl to finish the call, a tap on her shoulder startled her.

  She turned to a young man who needed no introduction. With dark hair, smiling eyes, and manicured facial hair, she understood Nolan’s appeal.

  “You must be the person asking about our positions with the company. Are you ready for me?”

  She glanced at Cheryl.

  The office manager waved them away. “Go ahead. I’ll be awhile.”

  They walked to a work station beside a small window. The desk was empty except for a laptop and a picture of Nolan behind the wheel of a shiny, red sports car.

  “I wish my desk was so uncluttered,” Lea noted.

  “I don’t like paperwork. The best thing about this job is not being tied to a desk. Most of the time, I’m in the field calling on new accounts.”

  Lea intended her next comment to throw him off stride. “I heard your field work got you in trouble.”

  He grinned. “You found out about Mrs. Brown.”

  Cheryl had disclosed no details. Lea was glad he willingly told the story.

  “Her husband caused a fair amount of excitement in the office. He showed up yelling about finding me upstairs with his wife. What does he expect returning home in the middle of the day?”

  “Did he have cause to be upset?”

  His grin was infectious. “Of course not. His wife took me to the attic to show me signs of rodents. On the way downstairs, I stopped to admire a painting in the hall. There was nothing going on. He’s a creep who spies on his wife looking for signs of infidelity. Who told you, anyway?”

  Before Lea responded, he answered his own question in an angry voice.

  “Let me guess. Our esteemed office manager. That doesn’t surprise me. Sweets aren’t her only indulgence.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Cheryl likes nothing better than getting people in trouble any chance she gets. She’ll do anything to keep her position as Rod’s favorite. I don’t know why she worries. He’s convinced he can’t run the business without her.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “Not a bit.” A thin smile spread across his lips. “I don’t plan to stay in the bug business for long. This gig is a stepping stone. It provides experience on my resume. My next step will be to manage new accounts for a large corporation.”

  “Are you dissatisfied with your job here?”

  “I’m not paid what I’m worth, if that’s what you’re asking. Without the business I bring in, this company would go under.”

  His cell phone buzzed. After reading the message, he stood to leave.

  “Sorry, I’ve got to go. Can I show you out?”

  “I’ll find my way. I have other people to interview.”

  She stood at the window and watched him leave the building. The car he got into was far above his salary level.

  • • •

  Sal Gomez smiled down at her from the cab of a truck. He was younger and more handsome than his cousin Juan.

  “You’re the lady who’s here to give us the third degree.”

  She laughed. “Not hardly, but I would like to ask about your job.”

  He jumped down from the vehicle. “Ask away. I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  His outgoing personality made him instantly likeable.

  “How long have you worked for Mr. Turner?”

  “Not as long as my cousin. After Juan became an inspector, he hired me to do the fumigations he used to do. But I can do more,” he added quickly. “I’m a carpenter by trade.”

  “How did you get into this business?”

  “With the slowdown in construction, I got laid off.”

  “Do you miss carpentry?”

  “Juan lets me use my skills here. I do repairs where the termites cause damage.”

  “Does it bother you to work under your cousin, with him telling you what to do?”

  “I’m used to it. He’s been a substitute father since my old man took off.”

  “It sounds as though he has a lot of responsibility.”

  “He enjoys playin’ man of the house to his siblings and me. I would help more, but he don’t trust me. I’ll be happy when he has kids of his own to boss.”

  “What about you? Do you want a large family?”

  “A wife and kids costs mu
cho dineros. For now, I’m spendin’ my hard earned cash on me.”

  “No steady girlfriend?”

  He looked toward the office, but gave no answer.

  “Is this a good place to work?” Lea asked.

  “As good a place as any.” He smiled disarmingly. “If I had my way, I wouldn’t work at all.”

  “No problems among the employees?”

  He looked at the other workers. “We guys get along. Cheryl and Nolan yell at each other when the boss is gone.”

  Juan approached, barking orders. “Finish loading the equipment, Sal, and get your toolbox. We’re heading out.”

  He faced Lea. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get going.”

  “My questions will only take a few minutes.”

  “I don’t have time.”

  He turned and walked away, surprisingly reluctant to speak with her.

  • • •

  Lea left the cousins and sat in her car in the parking lot.

  The fact Rod had not done background checks was a red flag. She pulled out the file of job applications Rod gave her.

  Her first call was to Cheryl Bassett’s former employer. After explaining the purpose of her call, she jumped in.

  “Cheryl told me you were sorry to see her go but you understood that she and Rod were close.”

  His reply surprised her. “I wasn’t at all sorry to see Cheryl go.”

  “Can you elaborate?”

  “Cheryl wasted valuable time chatting with women in the office. She was late getting back from lunch and took personal calls on company time. The final straw came when she claimed to be summoned for jury duty and took four days off. On a hunch, I called the courthouse. They dismissed the jury the first day. Her leaving saved me the trouble of firing her.”

  “Did you ever suspect her of taking money from the company?”

  After a brief hesitation, he gave a curt reply.

  “After she left, our bottom line improved. That’s all I’m willing to say.”

  Her next call was to Nolan Miller’s former employer.

  She anticipated negative comments because of circumstances under which Nolan left. Still, she wasn’t prepared for the response she received.

  “It didn’t bother me that Nolan went to a competitor. He’s a guy who creates problems wherever he goes. Unless Nolan has changed, Turner will end up with the same problems I had. Rod never called for a referral. If he had, I would have warned him.”