Page 20 of Carnival Queen

“Great. Your father has us so busy we’ve got builds happening on nearly every island you own.”

“What sort of builds?” frowned Nine.

“Well, we’re expanding the housing here on the property, heading into the western part of the land. A hundred new homes are going in. On Belle Île, we’re adding fifteen new homes. G.R.I.P. is expanding to two new islands that are being forged up as we speak. We finished the shelter and center for the kids downtown, but we’re already working on plans to add an additional floor.”

“Holy shit,” muttered Ian. “I had no idea all of that was happening.” Grant nodded at him, smiling.

“Yep. And, we’re expanding the bike shop again, the showroom attached, the tattoo shop, the salon and spa, and Gwen’s new showroom and store are expanding. Plus,” he said emphatically, “we’re building a two-thousand-square-foot addition to the General Store. Y’all are on the map.”

“Damn,” muttered Ghost. “Are you good, Grant? Can we do anything to help you and your team?”

“Brother, I’ve never been better,” he laughed. “I’ve hired a hundred new workers, most from applications submitted through the shelter or through the magic of Matthew.”

“Man, that’s great to hear,” nodded Gaspar. “Listen, Grant, we asked you here because we’d like to know if you know anything about Douglass and Jackson Construction.” Grant gave them all a strange look, then took a seat, leaning back.

“Can I ask why?” he said, staring at them.

They all looked at one another. Grant wasn’t someone who questioned a question. He was a team player all the way and was more than willing to lend a hand or give advice where needed.

“Grant, we think these guys are behind something to do with Deanna. Jackson actually confronted her outside her home after she refused to take his company on as a client at her firm. Her father was asked to do their taxes before he died, and he refused. When her boss told her she would be taking them on, she refused, and things escalated from there. She quit because of it.”

“Shit,” he muttered. He nodded, looking up at them. “Douglass and Jackson are the bullies of the construction world in Louisiana. They’ve got a shitty reputation for using shoddy materials and cheap, unskilled labor. Buildings that should take a year to construct typically are slapped together in four or five months.”

“How is that legal? Don’t they have inspectors?” asked Ghost. Grant raised his brows, tilting his head at him in a knowing glance. “Right. They buy the inspectors.”

“Exactly. Last September, they were building an addition at McNeese University. Part of the deal in hiring them was that they would allow the engineering and architecture students to assist with the build. Six young men and two young women were on the team. They kept raising red flags to the university that something was wrong. The building collapsed on them, killing them all and eleven construction workers. Jackson blamed it on the students, telling reporters that they were unskilled and changed the plans without their knowledge.”

“Fuck me,” growled Nine. “If we had to guess, it sounds like he’s got issues with his taxes and banking and doesn’t want anyone to see them. If he gave Deanna’s father that paperwork or disc or whatever, or if it was her father who discovered something in the paperwork, it could be why he wants her on it as well.”

“Don’t let him near that woman, Nine,” said Grant. “I’m not sure why he would want to destroy the parade floats. I mean, it makes no sense. But he could be doing it simply to ruin Deanna in some way.”

“We’ll look into every angle, Grant. Thanks, brother.”

“You bet,” he said, standing to leave. He turned, smiling at them. “One other thing, just so I don’t get caught in the middle. The animal island is being expanded, and new enclosures are being brought in.”

“Fuck,” muttered Gaspar as the others grinned. “What type of enclosures?”

“I’m not sure yet,” laughed Grant. “With your parents, sometimes, it’s day-by-day instruction, but man, do I love working with them. It’s like walking into a new adventure every single day. You’re not sure what you’re going to get, but you know it’s going to be a slam dunk party, and you’re going to be fed well.” Gaspar just shook his head.

“Well, let’s go speak to Deanna and see if she can shed some light on this.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Deanna, we’re so happy you’re here, honey,” said Camille. “Didn’t Georgie used to babysit you?”

“Yes, ma’am, she sure did. She was the absolute best! Ice cream and cookies before bedtime,” laughed Deanna. “Sometimes, Mom and Dad would bring me out here. Sometimes, she would drive into town to babysit me. I remember one time her brothers drove her to the house and picked her up because it was bad weather. I thought they were amazing gentle giants, and they weren’t more than sixteen or seventeen.”

The women all laughed, nodding at the young woman. She was a pretty girl, always had been. Her long brown hair and big brown eyes made her look elegant and intelligent in many ways. It was just a beautiful combination.

“Was everything alright at the warehouse?” asked Marie.

“For now,” she said, letting out a long breath. “I don’t know. Finding Mr. Jackson at my home after losing my job wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to start the day. It’s so weird. I already told him I wouldn’t take him on as a client, then my boss tells me I have to.”

“That’s strange, isn’t it?” asked Mary, wanting to push the woman to think more about it and perhaps have the breakthrough that she needed.

“It is. I just don’t get it. Bill has never forced me to take on someone if I didn’t want to. I haven’t worked for him that long, but he’s always been okay with me sticking to my passion, small business and families who needed clarity on their taxes.”

“Has this happened before?” asked Faith. “I mean, has he asked you to take on a client before, and you said no?”

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