"Nothing gets past you, does it, Ellen?"
She followed him into his office where he had sat behind his desk.
"I didn't expect you until next week."
"I have a company to save. Would you ask Tom Erickson to step in here?"
"Yes. Colleen said you were on crutches from a skiing accident."
"I was. I saw the orthopedic surgeon yesterday and he said I could get by with a cane now."
"What kind of skiing accident did you have?" she chuckled.
"I don't have time to go into it now. Tom Erickson, remember?"
"Okay. I'll call him now."
Ellen left and a few minutes later Tom Erickson came in. Derek discussed the situation about losing the bids, careful not to mention anything about a spy in the plant. They went over each aspect of each contract trying to figure out what they did wrong.
"I don't understand it, Derek. How can they do it cheaper than our bid and make money?"
"They can do it because they've been awarded so many contracts, they can buy their supplies in bulk. Thanks for helping me with this, Tom."
He got up and shook Derek's hand. "Take care of that knee."
"I will."
After Tom left, Derek put the files for the next round of bids in his briefcase, grabbed his cane and walked into the outer office. "Ellen, I have an appointment I need to get to. I won't be back until tomorrow."
"Should I call your cell phone, if I need you?"
"You can, but I'll probably have it off. I can't be disturbed during the meeting." When he reached the door, he stopped and turned back. "Can you call that agency in town and set up some interviews next week for a new housekeeper that can also cook for me?"
"It's about time you hired someone full time and not use that woman anymore."
Derek started to respond, but didn't want to start another argument. "Thank you."
At three o'clock on the dot, Derek entered Wes' law office and was greeted by his secretary, "Good afternoon, Mr. James. Mr. Forbes said to go right in."
"Thank you, Pamela."
Derek hobbled into Wes' office finding him and another gentleman waiting.
"Derek, come in," Wes said. The men stood. "I want you to meet Michael Pruitt. He specializes in finding information leaks at companies."
"How do you do, Mr. Pruitt." They shook hands and sat down.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. James. Wes told me about your snowboarding mishap. How are you doing?"
"Much better now that I'm home. I can probably lose this cane soon, according to my doctor, and please call me Derek."
"And, I'm Michael."
"Perhaps we should get down to business," Wes suggested.
"Derek, I understand that you have lost several contracts to the same competitor recently. It certainly sounds like you have someone at your company leaking information. What my job would be is to conduct a thorough review of your employees that would include background and credit checks, as well as checking emails and phone calls from their offices. If needed, I can also have an accounting audit done to determine any misappropriated or misuse of funds."
"I can't believe any of my employees would do something like this."
"It's not that uncommon for someone in a financial bind to do something like that. It also might not be an employee. It could be a spouse or someone dating an employee. You'd be surprised how much damage can be done with pillow talk."
"That's amazing. I had no idea. Mr. Pruitt, I mean Michael, I need your help. I'd like to hire you to find my spy."
"Excellent," Pruitt said. He pulled a folder out his briefcase and handed Derek a document. "This is a general contract with a confidentiality statement."
Derek took the document and briefly looked through it and then looked up at Wes for advice.
"I'd sign it. It's a good and fair contract. I ought to know, I wrote it."
All three men laughed. "That's good enough for me. Where do I sign?"
Pruitt handed Derek a pen and showed him where to sign and Wes called his secretary.
"That should do it," Derek said after signing on the last place. Wes also signed as witness.
"Pamela, would you make two copies of this contract, please," Wes requested.
"Yes, sir." She took the contract and left to make the copies.
"What happens now?" Derek questioned.
"If you have time, I have some preliminary questions to get me started," Pruitt suggested.
"I have no place to be. What do you need to know?"
"Good. First, can you tell me who helped or had knowledge about the proposals for the contracts?"
"Almost all of my department managers had input. There's Research and Development, Procurement, Distribution, Quality Assurance, Sales, and Customer Service. Each manager would have written up their own proposal and I would either approve it or make changes. In addition, my secretary sits in all of the meetings and types up the final bid."
"Your secretary?" He made a note.
"She doesn't have anything to do with this. She's my sister and owns a quarter of the company. If I lose money, she loses money."
"Is she married?"
"Yes."
"What does her husband do for a living?"
"He's the superintendent of the local school system. Wes, tell him Ellen and John have nothing to do with this."
"Derek's right. Ellen is almost more protective of the company than he is."
"Nevertheless, I have to check on everyone. I'd like to meet with you and your department managers on Monday so I can start going over your files and records."
"Of course."
"I'll be there at ten. You can introduce me as an outside consultant there to do an efficiency audit of the plant. No one, not even your sister, is to know why I'm really there," he insisted.
Wes' secretary walked back in handing him the original and two copies of the contract, each in their own file folder.
"Thank you, Pam." Wes handed the original to Pruitt, one copy to Derek, and kept one copy for himself.
"I understand, Michael. I won't say anything."
"Excellent." Pruitt stood. "Thank you and I will see you on Monday. Wes, thank you for setting this up."
"You're welcome," Wes replied and Pruitt left. "How does dinner at the Country Club sound?"
"I may have just alienated every one of my department heads and my sister," Derek said, ignoring Wes' question.
"Derek, you're trying to save your company and all of their jobs. If, or when, they find out, they'll understand. Now, let's go to dinner."
"Thanks, but I really don't feel like eating out tonight." Derek stood and he and Wes started walking out. "Did you get an invitation to that New Year's Eve charity event tomorrow night in Cincinnati?"
"The one for the veteran's organization?"
"That's the one. Are you going?"
"No. I sent them a check though. I decided to spend a quiet evening at home with Cynthia. Are you going?"
"I think I am. I like to support the veterans. I reserved a room at the hotel where it's being held, so I wouldn't have to drive back home so late."
"Taking a date?"
"No, I'm going alone."
"Sounds boring," Wes joked.
"I'll call you next week for lunch or dinner.
"Sounds good." Wes shook Derek's hand and then went to his truck. On the drive home, he decided to stop by the market to get something for supper. He pulled out a grocery cart and headed inside. Ever since his cook had unexpectedly left him over a month ago, he had learned how to shop for groceries. A bag of apples, a gallon each of milk and orange juice, and eggs were quickly added to his cart. He picked up a couple of steaks and headed for the frozen food section. There, he stocked up on TV Dinners, frozen pizzas, and other microwavable meals. Once through the checkout lane, he headed back out to the parking lot where he saw Jenny getting out of her car.
"Derek? When did you get back?"
"Jenny, hello. I got back yesterday mo
rning.
"I thought you were staying longer." He saw her look at his cane in the shopping cart. "Why do you have a cane?"
"I had a little mishap on the ski slope, but it's better. I was on crutches, but have graduated to a cane, which I hope to be rid of soon."
"Oh my gosh, should you be on your feet?"
"I'm fine. Saw the doctor yesterday and he said it's a minor ACL tear and I should be good as new soon."
"As long as you're getting better and minding his orders," she said. "If you need anything, you let me know."
"You're a very caring person. Thank you."
She blushed, or was it the cold breeze blowing? "I just don't want you to hurt it anymore than it is."
He noticed she was wearing the pendant that he had given her. "Jenny, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"
"New Year's Eve? I wish I could, but I have plans that I cannot get out of. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too. What about Friday night?"
"That's New Year's. Will any place be open?"
"Sure, lots of them."
"Okay, I'd love to have dinner with you."
She smiled. He loved seeing her smile because she just beamed when she did.
"How should I dress?"
"Nothing fancy. Casual will be fine."
A breeze blew through and she pulled her coat tighter around her neck. "Great. I should probably get inside. I need to pick up a few things," she said.
"Right. Of course. I'm glad I ran into you."
"Me, too. What time will you pick me up, or should I meet you somewhere?"
"You know, if you could come to my house around seven, that would really help me because I have some things to do beforehand."
"I can do that."
"Wonderful. I'll see you then."
Jenny headed inside the market and Derek put his groceries in his SUV, not taking his eyes off of her until she was inside.
* * * *
The hotel bustled with so many people attending the New Year's Eve benefit. Derek wore his tuxedo and even managed to get a fancy black cane to match. He walked into the ballroom and was immediately served a glass of champagne by one of the many servers roaming the room.
He looked around to see if he knew anyone.
"Mr. James, it's so good to see you. Your reservation came in so late this year that I thought you weren't going to attend."
While she spoke, Derek tried to remember her name. "Miss Albert, right?" She nodded and smiled. "I've been out of town, but very glad to be here. This is such a worthy cause that I feel needs so much support."
"Thank you." She looked at the clipboard she held. "We have you at table thirty. The McIntyre's are also at your table. I believe you know them."
"Yes, I do. Thank you."
Miss Albert excused herself to speak to someone else and another server, female this time, stopped to offer Derek a hor d'oeuvre that he sampled. "Thank you."
His knee felt stiff and he needed to walk to loosen it up, so he took a stroll around the room talking to several people he knew. He turned just in time to see Colleen walking toward him.
"Derek? I didn't know you were coming tonight."
"Good evening, Colleen. How are you?"
"Ellen told me you were back. You should have called me. We could have come here together."
"It was a last minute decision."
* * * *
In the kitchen, several servers were standing in line waiting for their trays to be filled. "Jenny, I think I saw that guy out there that you did the Thanksgiving party for where I helped serve," Lisa said, as she waited on the salads for her tray.
"Derek James? Where did you see him?" Jenny asked.
"I served him some champagne on my last round." The kitchen worker handed Lisa a tray and Jenny stepped out of line with her.
"Show me."
Lisa took Jenny over to the door, pushing it open enough to peek out. "I don't know. They all look alike in those tuxes from here. There." She pointed to a group of people in the middle of the room.
Jenny looked and saw Derek talking to Colleen. "That's just great." She stepped back into the kitchen.
"Did you know Mr. James is hiring a full time cook and housekeeper?"
"Who told you that?"
"Denise did. She said an employment agency she's registered with called to see if she was interested in an interview. She wasn't, but if he gets a cook, he probably won't be hiring you for any more of his dinners."
"You're probably right."
"I need to get these salads on the tables. The dinner will be starting soon," Lisa said, walking backward out the door with the tray in her hands.
"Jenny, here's your tray," one of the chefs called.
Oh no. What if he sees me? Even worse, what if I have to serve Colleen?
"Jenny!" he called again.
She took the tray and headed out, hoping Derek and Colleen wouldn't be at any of her tables. She started with the empty tables first, checking the namecards as she placed each salad down. After two more trips to and from the kitchen for refills, she came back out with the last tray. Quickly, she served each salad on the table. As she set the last salad down, she saw black pants and a cane standing next to her and looked up.
"Good evening," Derek said with a big smile.
"Good evening."
"So this was your plans for tonight."
"Yes. My school is catering and serving tonight," she whispered. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Last minute decision. Listen, this usually ends right after midnight. Can you meet me in the lobby afterward? I have a room reserved for the night."
A shiver went through her body. "I have to help clean the room, but I can probably spare a few minutes."
"I'll be waiting."
Jenny walked back to the kitchen and quickly found her friend, Lisa. "What tables are you serving tonight?"
"Fifteen through twenty."
"I have twenty-five through thirty and we have to trade."
"Why?"
"Because Derek James is seated at thirty and I can't serve him."
"You're kidding. You don't want to serve Derek Ja-?"
She pulled Lisa away from the others. "I have a date with him tomorrow night and I just can't be his server tonight."
"You have a date with Derek James!" Lisa shrieked.
"Shhhh. I don't want anyone here to know. Will you please trade tables?"
"For you, anything."
"Thanks."
"Wow, you're going out with Derek James."
"Lisa, you can't tell anyone. Okay?"
Disappointed, she agreed. While Jenny filled water goblets at her new tables, she saw Colleen talking to a lady from Derek's table and then take her seat. Back in the kitchen, she waited for Lisa to come back in and caught her at the door. "There's a lady at Derek's table named Colleen. I don't remember seeing a placecard for her name at his table. Why is she there?"
"I heard her and the other lady talking about switching their table assignments."
"So she can get her claws into Derek."
"Really? Want me to spill something on her?" Lisa anxiously asked.
Realizing she had said that out loud, "What? No, oh God no. Please don't do that."
After dinner, all the servers had cleared the dishes from the tables. With midnight only a few minutes away, the servers had been told to make sure everyone had a full glass of champagne and be out of the ballroom before the clock struck twelve.
They were all in the kitchen waiting for their own celebration, except Jenny, who stood at the door watching Derek and wishing she could be standing next to him at midnight.
The crowd started the countdown. "Ten-nine-eight-seven-six-five-four-three-two-one. Happy New Year!" The ballroom erupted into a cheer. Balloons and confetti dropped from the ceiling.
Jenny tried to keep an eye on Derek, which became difficult through the cascade of silver confetti still falling. Once it cleared, she saw them, Derek an
d Colleen breaking from a kiss and then, along with everyone else, dancing. Well, dancing as best as he could with his bad knee.
"Quickly, everyone out the door," one of the chefs called. Half of the servers cleared the champagne glasses that had filled with confetti, while the other half took out fresh glasses or coffee for the guests' choice. Jenny was part of the clearing squad and stayed away from Derek's table.
"Did you see Mr. James dancing with that lady?" Lisa asked later as they poured confetti out of the glasses.
"I saw. She works for him and is trying her best to rope him in."
Around one o'clock, the guests started leaving. After the last guest left the room, the doors were closed and the cleanup started.
"Lisa, I need to step out for a few minutes. Can you cover for me?" Jenny begged.
"Yeah, sure. Where are you going?"
"Derek wanted me to meet him in the lobby for a few minutes as soon as the party ended."
"Okay, but don't be gone long. You know they don't like us mingling with the hotel guests."
"I know. Thanks." Jenny slipped out a side door and into a hallway. She checked herself in the mirror on the wall. I can't wear this uniform in the lobby. She took off the outer shirt revealing a plain black t-shirt that she wore underneath. "This will have to do."
She headed down the hallway, rounded a corner and then stopped. Derek stood in the lobby with Colleen next to him talking.
Jenny didn't want to go over to Derek while Colleen stood there, not after seeing them kiss and dance at midnight. After fifteen minutes, she was still talking to him.
"Pssst, Jenny," Lisa whispered from behind her. "They're looking for you. You've got to get back inside."
She took one last look at Derek, who kept glancing at his watch, and then went back inside to finish cleaning.
Three hours later, with the cleanup done, Jenny walked out with some of her friends. "I've got to make a stop before going to your house, Ashley. Don't worry if I'm not there when you go to bed and thanks for letting me stay so I don't have to drive all the way home this late."
"You're welcome. There's a key under the welcome mat, if we're all asleep when you get there."
A Kitchen Affair Page 14
