Kiss Lonely Goodbye (20 page)

Marcus came in. “Sorry I'm late. I got caught in traffic.” He glanced at the two men, then gazed at Nicole. “Everything okay?”

Nicole continue to glare at her father and uncle. “Yes.”

Tense silence followed for several seconds before Stanton cleared his throat. He stuck out his hand. “Hello, Marcus.”

“Good afternoon. What did I miss?” Marcus shook Stanton's hand. He nodded to Uncle Lionel, who nodded back.

Jesse peered around the door. “S'cuse me, but we got more trouble. Robbery at the LaSalle Jewelry Store. The manager got hurt.”

“When?” Marcus said.

“Around nine o'clock last night. The manager was getting ready to leave with the day's receipts when they hit. They got away with loose diamonds, a shipment of Colombian emeralds that came in two days ago, and some of the more expensive pieces.” Jesse spoke in a rush. “An employee found him this morning.”

“Found him?” Nicole's heart thumped at the way Jesse shook his head.

“They took him to the hospital, but he's got massive head injuries,” Jesse replied. “He's in a coma.”

“So, he can't tell the police anything. Damn!” Marcus rubbed his forehead.

Dayna Tyler strode in seconds later. “Afternoon everybody. Sorry to interrupt. Marcus, we need to talk.”

N
icole walked around the conference table. “Hello, Detective Tyler. We can talk right here.”

The statuesque detective paused, then gave a curt nod toward Stanton and Uncle Lionel. “Introduce us.”

“Mr. Stanton Summers and Mr. Lionel Summers. They are very much involved in what happens to Summers Security,” Marcus said. He glanced from Dayna to Nicole. He needed to head off a battle of wills. Instead he seemed to have fanned the flames.

Though she didn't say anything, Nicole's heated glance sent him a clear message. She looked at Dayna. “My father and uncle most certainly can hear whatever you have to say.”

“Fine with me. While we're at it, let's call the media, because they'll love this story,” Dayna shot back. She stared hard at Nicole. “You've got a theft ring operating right under your nose.”

“What!” Stanton blurted out.

“Oh crap!” Uncle Lionel clapped a hand to his forehead.

“I said Nicole would destroy all my father and I built. No one would listen.” Russell stood in the open conference room door. He crossed his arms and glared at Nicole.

“There's gotta be some kinda mistake.” Jesse shook his head. “Can't be. We got problems, but—”

Cat pushed the door shut with a bang. Russell jumped clear to avoid getting his rear end snapped. “I'll get sodas for everybody. Denise will help.” She hurried over to Nicole and whispered to her.

“Immediately, Cat. Thanks,” Nicole replied. Cat left through the side door leading to Nicole's office. “Have a seat, Detective Tyler.”

Dayna sat down. She wore a stylish short-sleeved denim jacket with a white T-shirt beneath it and dark denim slacks. She rolled her shoulders as much to get comfortable as to relax. Marcus caught a glimpse of a black shoulder strap before she pulled the jacket closed again.

“Thanks. Sorry to be so abrupt. It's been a bad day. A detective from the robbery division is interviewing your staff right now,” she said. “We're working together because this seems connected to the burglaries at the Phoung business.”

“You walked in and started interrogating my employees without telling me?” Nicole said.

“To say we're investigating a serious crime isn't a cliché from some cop show on television. Time is critical. I was going to tell Marcus,” Dayna said calmly.

“I'm CEO,” Nicole clipped back.

“I wasn't sure who these gentlemen were and if you'd want me to speak freely in front of them.” Dayna gazed at her steadily.

“Quite reasonable. Nicole, wouldn't you agree?” Nicole's father gave her a pointed look.

“Of course,” Nicole said after a few moments. She sighed. “My day hasn't exactly been fun so far either. I apologize for being touchy.”

“You've got reason.” Dayna's harsh manner eased as she visibly relaxed.

“You can understand our reaction. A security company has to inspire complete trust in our procedures and employees,” Marcus said.

“Humph! You can kiss trust goodbye then,” Russell retorted. “I'll have a hard time getting us back on track after
this
.”

“You're not in the CEO chair yet, Russ. Nothing guarantees you ever will be,” Uncle Lionel growled at him.

“I wonder what it will take before you people wake up!” Russell hit the table with his fist.

“Enough!” Stanton stood up as his basso voice boomed. Everyone blinked in shock.

Dayna even sat up straight as though at attention. “Damn, sounds like our commander,” she said in an undertone.

Marcus strode over to stand beside Nicole's father. “Mr. Summers is right. Now isn't the time or place to hash out such issues.”

“Tell us what you've found out, Detective Tyler.” Stanton sat down again, but not before he sent an icy warning look around at everyone.

“Yes, sir.” Dayna slipped a small pad from a jacket pocket. “Store manager Glenn Howard was ambushed as he closed the shop. The last employee left a few minutes before nine. She says Howard was on his way out then. The shop closed at six. They usually left by seven-thirty. Because of a shipment and payroll they had to stay later than usual. There was no forced entry. We think one of two things happened. Someone
Howard knew came to the door, he let them in, and was beaten. Or they caught him still in the door and forced him to disarm the alarm.”

A tall white man came in and beckoned to Dayna. “Excuse me.”

“This is Detective Bates.” Dayna got up and went to him. They spoke in a low tone for several minutes.

“I don't like this one bit.” Nicole eyed the two police officers.

Marcus exchanged a glance with Russell, who sneered back. Nicole's father and uncle talked low with their heads together. Marcus moved closer to Nicole protectively. Dayna nodded once to something Bates said, and they parted. Bates left again.

“Your employee Tameka Grant was arrested two hours ago trying to sell a diamond pendant stolen from LaSalle Jewelry last night,” Dayna said.

“Oh God,” Jesse muttered and covered his eyes.

“The lady has incredibly bad luck. She got caught in an entirely different sting. The robbery division set up a fake storefront to buy stolen merchandise. Apparently Tameka got impatient and decided to cash in fast.” Dayna wore a tight expression.

“She worked in David Phoung's stores. I knew there was a good reason I didn't like her,” Nicole said.

“Tameka isn't a one-woman crime wave, folks. We've got more going on here.” Dayna looked at Marcus. “I'm real sorry, but get ready for a long day with us underfoot. We're going to need office space.”

“No problem,” Marcus said.

“We'll need employee files. We'd like to get in touch with as many people as possible,” Dayna added.

“My secretary will make the arrangements,” Nicole said. She hit the speaker button on the phone at her elbow and gave instructions to Cat.

While she spoke, Marcus pulled Dayna aside. “You have a sense of how bad this looks?”

“For you guys? Bad,” Dayna said quietly. “I'm talking gang connections, Marcus. I can't say more right now.”

“Cat is showing Detective Bates to our file room. Might as well use it, since it's big enough and the employee records are already there. You'll have a phone, fax machine, and copier close at hand, too.”

“Perfect.” Dayna put both hands on her waist. “Listen, I know this is a real rough ride for you folks. Best thing we can do is wrap it up fast so you can get back to business.”

Russell grimaced. “What's left of it.”

“I'll check in with you later,” Dayna said to Marcus and walked out.

“I'm gonna talk to the owner, Hector LaSalle,” Jesse said as he stood. “Better check out the security system soon.”

“Get back fast in case the detectives need you,” Nicole replied.

“Okay.” Jesse strode off.

“Well.” Uncle Lionel drummed his fingers on the conference table.

“We'd better start working on our disaster plan, Nicole.” Stanton wore a grave expression.

“Exactly,” Uncle Lionel agreed. He hunched his shoulders and sat forward. “First, can we keep the fact that our employee is a suspect quiet?”

“Depends. Let's check the newspapers and watch the television.” Nicole called Cat again with instructions to bring in newspapers. Then she opened a cabinet containing a television and video equipment.

“Maybe Dayna can help us out. I'll ask her.” Feeling jumpy, Marcus got up and paced while he thought. “Our customers are bound to hear about it.”

“You better do something and quick,” Uncle Lionel grumbled.

“I agree.” Nicole turned to Marcus. “We've identified the employees who have given us the most problems. Once they finish talking to the police we can either suspend them immediately or terminate the worst offenders.”

“Jesse wanted to work with several of them. We're talking about people who need their jobs.” Marcus rubbed his jaw. “Jesse and I know how valuable a second chance can be.”

“Forget that bleeding heart stuff!” Uncle Lionel cut in before Nicole could reply. “Those people are stealing your clients blind and are well on their way to destroying this company.”

“Now you see the quality of decision making around here, Uncle Lionel,” Russell put in.

Marcus struggled against a tide of rage. He looked at Uncle Lionel. “
If
more than one employee is involved, the planning started long before Nicole came.”

“Good point,” Russell said promptly with a nasty smile. “While you were the boss courtesy of my senile father.”

Nicole's eyes flashed fire. “You were in charge of hiring and background checks, Russell.”

“Everyone knows I was never given the authority I should have had once Dad hired Marcus. Don't try to shift this off your boyfriend.”

Nicole leaned across the table with a forefinger pointed at Russell's chest. “Keep talking and you'll find my foot up your—”

“She even helped pay for baby-sitters so the thieves could be free to commit robberies. Nice going, cousin.” Russell's lip curled with scorn.

“You're pathetic.” Nicole glared back at him.

“Stop it!” Stanton roared. “Obviously this kind of conflict distracted you both.”

“Along with other things,” Uncle Lionel mumbled and glanced from Nicole to Marcus.

Stanton looked at Nicole with a taut frown. “You wanted to be in charge with no interference. Fine. Put together a plan to deal with this situation and be ready to present it to us in two days.”

Nicole didn't flinch as she returned her father's gaze. “I will.”

Stanton turned to Russell. “Don't have too much fun gloating. If this company fails, a chunk of your income goes with it. You should have worked harder to help Nicole.”

“Me? You can't possibly try to blame me.” Russell's mouth flapped open.

“Yes, I can. And so will the family. Lionel and I will start forming a board right now.” Stanton looked at them. “We'll use the conference room.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “We'll get started, too. Come on, Nicole and Russell. Let's meet in my office.”

“At least one of you sees the value of working together.” Uncle Lionel pulled the phone toward him and picked up the receiver. “Better not use the speaker for these calls,” he muttered.

“You didn't see fit to let me in on things before now. Now you want me to share the blame. No way.” Russell started to leave.

“You will cooperate with them or I'll make damn sure your behavior in this crisis is discussed at the board meeting.” Stanton's voice cracked like a whip.

Russell's café au lait skin went pale. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled.

“And Russell,” Stanton barked louder.

“Yes, Uncle Stanton?”

“I mean cooperate in the sense of offering constructive input. We don't have time to deal with tantrums.” Stanton shot a warning glance at Nicole. “Are we all on the same page?”

“Yes.” Nicole clamped her lips together, turned, and strode through the side door to her office.

Marcus motioned for Russell to go ahead of him. Russell kept his expression blank as he followed Nicole.

 

After Marcus closed the door no one spoke for several minutes. Nicole stood with her back to them, gazing out the window. Russell sat down in a chair that put the most distance between him and Nicole's desk. He crossed his arms. With a sigh, Marcus decided he had to break the impasse.

“We need to find a way to work together. Now is the perfect time,” Marcus said. Neither responded. “Well?”

“Jesse and I went over the records of several suspect employees. We have grounds for termination. Maybe Russell could pair up with him and have those exit interviews,” Nicole said finally.

“I should never have been cut out of the process,” Russell complained.

“Let me remind you why,” Nicole snapped as she spun around.

“Nikki, don't,” Marcus said low.

Russell glanced from him to Nicole. “Yes,
Nikki
. We're supposed to cooperate.”

“Nicole's suggestion is a good one. She wants you to play a critical role. I thought that's what you wanted.” Marcus glared at him.

“Could have happened sooner,” Russell mumbled. Then he squared his shoulders. “I'll get with Jesse.”

“Why don't you call him now? He's in the process of rounding up those people.” Marcus gestured toward the phone on Nicole's desk.

Russell seemed about to argue, then thought better of it. “Fine.”

“Nicole, let's sit down,” Marcus said in a calm tone. He felt like a grade school assistant principal dealing with squabbling students.

“Yeah, right,” she replied.

Nicole marched over to the round table in a corner of her spacious office. She sat down hard in one of five leather chairs arranged around it. With a sigh he followed her.

“Listen, your father is right. This isn't the time to fight each other,” Marcus said quietly.

Nicole tapped a fist on the arm of her chair for several seconds. Finally she nodded assent. “So, let's start working on mission impossible. No way will we keep our customers from hearing rumors of some kind. My question is, do we confess everything and risk losing customers or do we try to filter information?”

“We can't tell customers anything that might compromise the police investigation. Otherwise I say we should be as open as possible.”

“I don't know.” Nicole shook her head. “Admitting we hired thieves to guard their valuables won't inspire confidence.”

“Let's ask Imani, since she's the marketing expert,” Marcus said.

“Now we're looking for ways to spin the bad news. Geez, what a mess.” Nicole squeezed her eyes shut.

“The truth is there is no good way to talk about a breakdown in our system. I'm suggesting we find the least bad way to present it.” He waved to get Russell's attention. “Call Imani and ask her to come in.”