Page 25 of Evidence of Secrets

A little while later, her suspicions were confirmed. Rich was the thief.

She and Levi checked the bar, cooler and refrigerator. Some unopened top-shelf liquor bottles were gone, and half the order of prime rib she’d ordered just the other day was missing, plus other expensive items. Several hundred dollars’ worth of goods walked out, not counting the other losses and the theft of goods from the fundraiser she had to cover.

“Damn him,” said Levi. “You paid him while he was out taking care of his sick son and wife, and this is how he repays you.” Levi shook his fist. “Why, I ought to…”

“Yeah, I hear you.” Laura was disappointed and sad that Rich would steal from her, especially since, as Levi pointed out, she’d paid Rich when he took time off. Now she had to fire him and take up the slack because she couldn’t afford to hire another person right now.

“What time is he coming in?”

Levi looked at his watch. “Anytime now. Want me to handle it?”

Laura exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “I’d love to have you handle it, but I’m the owner and the person responsible. Send him into my office when he gets here.”

“Will do.” Levi punched the table. “Laura, I’m so sorry this is happening. You’ve been more than fair to all the employees. Don’t people understand that someone has to pay when they steal? That it’s not absorbed?”

“I don’t know. However, at this point, I don’t care. Stealing is down there with cheating in my book.”

Laura walked back to her office. There was a lot of bookkeeping to do and finagling of money to cover the loss of food and liquor.

“Knock, knock.”

Laura looked up. Rich was standing in the doorway and smiling. How dare he? How could he look her in the face?

“Levi said you wanted to see me.”

“Yes. Have a seat.”

Rich sat down. “I was thinking some homemade ice cream would be a nice treat since it’s summer.”

Laura looked at Rich. Really? He was talking as if nothing had happened. “Rich, I didn’t ask to see you to discuss the menu. We have another problem. A big problem.”

Rich said nothing.

“I have you on tape stealing.”

He put his hands up and started to say something.

“Don’t. Just don’t. You don’t get to give excuses.” Laura fiddled with her pen. “I’ve tried to be fair to you. Paid you when your son and wife were sick. I tried to accommodate your schedule, but I will not abide by you stealing from me. You’re fired. Get your things and get out.”

“Laura…”

“No excuses. Just leave.”

Rich got up and mumbled, “I’m sorry,” as he left.

Laura’s stomach churned. The past year had its difficulties. She’d paid for the damage Colin Woods had done to the cars in her parking lot out of pocket. The fundraiser had been successful and brought in new diners, but she was still out of pocket paying Sam for the stolen food. She tried to be a good boss, pay her bills, be fair to her employees. But she was tired, so tired of trying to get ahead.

Her dream of owning a successful bistro was sinking. She had nothing right now. No apartment, no money, no man. She was living off someone else’s dime. Laura already talked to the bank once. Maybe it was time to go again. There had to be something she could do to get out of this mess without losing the bistro, but what?

CHAPTERNINETEEN

“Did you hear?” Meghan, one of the full-time waitresses, sidled next to Jaimie.

“Hear what?”

“Shhh.” Meghan fiddled with her apron ties. “They fired Rich,” she whispered.

Jaimie covered her mouth and looked around the bistro. There was no one else there, so why was Meghan whispering? “Why?”

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