At Last Read online

  “Ms. Merchant, Dee will be with you in a minute or so.” Chole saw a nod of acknowledgment before she went back to her work.

  †

  If Gene was a lesbian then this woman must surely turn her head, she was about three times more attractive than Christine. I’m not even on the radar. Not that Gene would ever think of me that way, but then I’ve worked with her for years and never, not once, has there been any grist for the mill to grind that indicated she was interested in women that way.

  “Dee, Ms. Merchant asked you a question.” The gruff voice of her dad interrupted her thoughts.

  “I’m sorry, my mind was elsewhere. Would you mind repeating the question, please?”

  Quinn Merchant’s nostrils flared. “I asked if Desrosiers had a new range for the near future?”

  Dee swallowed hard. They had a lot of options, but none for the last six months had come up to Gene’s expectations. “Ms. Desrosiers does have a new range in research—”

  “Research can be months or ten years, which is it?”

  The blunt, almost abrasive words had Dee on the back foot. Her position with Gene meant the strictest confidences and the main one was not to give anything away on a new perfume range.

  “Well, as you can expect we can’t divulge—”

  “Please don't give me the confidentiality guff. For god’s sake, this company is teetering on shutting. First priority is keeping your customers happy. I’ll ask again, does it have a new range in the next, say six months, or not? A simple enough question.”

  Dee closed her eyes, what should she do? The answer came from a surprising quarter.

  “Ms. Merchant, you are early. To answer your question…within six months and it may be sooner. I’ve just been speaking with my senior production lab technician.”

  The surprised expression on Quinn Merchant’s face must have mirrored hers, then Dee almost lost it when Gene touched her shoulder and winked at her.

  “Well, that’s good news. Do you have my product?”

  There was a marked silence for a fraction of a minute, but it felt like an hour to Dee.

  “Actually, no we don’t.” Felix answered gruffly.

  Dee took her dad’s hand, gripping it hard.

  “Exactly when can we expect the merchandise?” Quinn asked, and Dee thought she sounded flustered.

  “I figured you could answer that after your tour of the factory. Felix is giving you the full guided tour?”

  “Right, Ms. Desrosiers.”

  “After the tour you will understand that it’s impossible for us to provide you with any product for at least ten days.”

  “Ten days,” Quinn threw her hands in the air. “My boss will pull the plug. Look, can’t you give me anything at all?”

  Dee watched the two women. There was definitely body chemistry going on, but she couldn’t tell if it was just business aggression or something else. All I want to do is make it right for Gene, but what can I provide? Nothing, nothing. I have a few savings, probably enough to buy the next stapler.

  “Dee, I think Ms. Merchant is finished here, will you please take her to reception? Ms. Merchant, if Sutters moves away that’s fine. Right now, I need to concentrate on the customers who are prepared to give me the time to sort out my current difficulties. They will be given priority. Give my regards to Arnold. It’s been a long time since we caught up. Please tell him if he wants to give this kind of ultimatum, then he should do it himself.”

  Dee had never in the years she’d known Gene ever heard her speak with such authority. Way to go, you. She glanced at her dad and he looked equally bemused.

  “I never said this was it.”

  “Really, that sounded like a threat to me…something Sheila would deliver.”

  “You do know that Sheila runs Sutters now, right? Arnold had a stroke two years ago, it was severe.”

  Dee winced as Gene’s expression turned to concern.

  “I didn’t know that. How severe?”

  “In the first few months he was wheelchair bound and barely able to talk. I do know that for the last eight months Sheila has contact with him every working day at the same time.”

  Dee watched Quinn’s expression as she asked, “You respect Arnold?”

  “Yes, he was a great mentor, he understood that business wasn’t all wins, sometimes you had to lose a few and work hard at more. He reminded me of a friend.”

  The inflection when Quinn said friend made Dee think that this woman was as much of a pawn in the game as the rest of them. Wasn’t life a chess game? Her mom had said that to her the first time she had tried to teach her to play.

  “What does Sheila want?”

  †

  “Well I have to say that was unexpected.” Felix sat down at his chair, shaking his head.

  Gene sighed. “Yes, it was, at least the part about Arnold Sutter. Damn I felt terrible when she told me.” She took a seat opposite her production manager. “There is absolutely nothing we can do on the order, I know that. Do we have any stock of anything vaguely saleable?”

  “I’m sorry I can’t answer that. You’ll have to ask Wendy. Do you mind if I ask you a question and if you don’t want to answer, that’s okay?”

  This man had been one of the foundation stones of Desrosiers. Her dad had trusted him totally, and apparently her mother had been a friend of his wife’s.

  “Go ahead, Felix, if I have the answer, I will give it.”

  “I’m getting to the end of my working life at Desrosiers and I have savings and a good pension. Dee, she still has a long time left. We had hoped she would meet a guy, settle down, and have kids. For some reason she prefers the flowers, and she’s never happier than being here with you.”

  There was a profound silence and Gene wondered where this was going.

  “What I want to know, is this just a short-term problem or will Grady really die and Dee have to leave town and move to a bigger city?” He coughed. “I know I’m being selfish, but she’s our only child.”

  Gene dropped her gaze to her tightly clenched hands. How odd I don’t feel any pain.

  “I guess silence is as good an answer as anything,” Felix stood.

  Gene saw his defensive posture. How the heck can I answer that, when I haven’t even acknowledged it myself yet? “Truth, Felix?”

  Felix stared at her. “Yes please, Ms. Desrosiers.”

  “If Grady dies, so do I. My life is here, it’s my family home and I want to keep that. My parents are buried here in Grady, I like the people…admittedly I don’t know that many, even though I employ a few, but the ones I do know I want to see happy and remain in work.”

  Felix nodded.

  “It isn’t the answer to your question though, is it, Felix?” He shrugged. “If Dee leaves town for work then I’ve failed and believe me the Desrosiers do not fail. Now I must catch up with your daughter and our visitor. I think I’ll invite Quinn to the meeting we are having with Charles Spencer, then we will all be in the loop.”

  “About Spencer, he was our janitor last night, now he’s our business advisor, are you sure?”

  “You don’t like him?”

  “Charlie is a great guy, but if Henderson fell and he was in charge of the business side, what makes you think it won’t happen again or at least magnify what is already happening.”

  “I have to say, Felix, you amaze me.”

  “I do? Why?”

  The phone rang, Felix answered, and then gave her the instrument.

  “Hello, Charles, I understand. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Turning to Felix she shrugged. “Got to go. I’ve asked Chloe to place a buffet lunch in my office at one sharp. Don’t be late or I guarantee Dee will take your share.”

  Smiling when Felix chuckled as she left his office, she paused for a moment and looked at the production floor. Empty. People were the life force of her business. Anything else was irrelevant.

  †

  Quinn liked Dee. She was determined. Perhaps a better description
would be, she was passionate about the company. I like working at Sutters, but would I go this far for them? Arnold maybe, but not Sheila.

  “I appreciate the tour of the plant and what happens here. I have to say the action of producing the goods isn’t really my cup of tea but the tour was very informative.”

  “To make decisions in your job, surely you need to know all the facts and who it will affect if you take your business away.” Dee stared at Quinn.

  The glacial words hit hard but didn’t break skin. “You have to understand that I’m paid to do a job just like you are, and my loyalty is to Sutters. I look after their interests. Sorry if that’s a problem for you.”

  Quinn examined the younger woman; at least, she looked younger. She had a fresh-faced complexion and gorgeous auburn hair that was held tightly in a ponytail. Hmm wouldn’t mind running my hands through those lovely locks.

  “Dee, it looks like I’m going to be stuck in Grady for at least another night, maybe more. How do you fancy showing me the best restaurant in Grady and trying to prove to me that I should back your team and not my own?” Watching Dee, she saw a faint twitch at the side of her face. Maybe all is not lost here. “I can sweeten that with I’ll pay. What do you say?”

  “I…tonight I have an appointment already for drinks after work.”

  “After that, you’ll need sustenance. Call it your chance to fight for what you want—”

  “Ah, Dee, sorry it took me so long to catch up. Ms. Merchant, what do you think of our production facilities?” Gene asked.

  Wow, where did she come from? “Great. Dee has been very informative.” Quinn grinned at Dee who had a blush to her cheeks. Turning to the owner who looked fraught, the skin under her grey hooded eyes dark and her skin pale, virtually translucent. The ash brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders and was mussed up in contrast to yesterday.

  “Wonderful. Dee loves the company as much as I do and probably knows more about how the production actually works than I ever will. I’m the nose.”

  “Sounds painful. Anything else I need to see?” Quinn looked at both women.

  “Actually, we have a meeting.” Gene glanced at her watch. “I’m late but it’s with my new business adviser Charles Spencer and I’d like you to attend. This might not be the best decision I make—”

  “It will be.” Dee quickly interrupted.

  “Well, if you would attend, Ms. Merchant, I have a buffet lunch arranged,” Gene, said.

  “Oh, well that makes all the difference. I’d be pleased to attend. Do you mind if I make a quick call first, promise it will only be for a couple of minutes?” Quinn withdrew her phone.

  “No, by all means make your call. Do you need us to leave?”

  Quinn shrugged and began to make her call.

  “We can’t hear anything from here.” Gene steered Dee toward the door to the corridor leading to the offices.

  “But, shouldn't we? It might help us.”

  “Oh no, we can’t do that. If we don’t do the right thing for the right reasons, how can we expect them to believe we need their help to survive?” Gene hung her head. I’m beginning to think there is nothing anyone can do to help. Then she swung her gaze to Dee and gave her the brightest smile she could muster. “Together we won’t fail.”

  “I’m sorry, you are right. She wasn’t that interested in the tour. I’m not sure how she can be of any help. She told me Sutters paid her to do a job and she would do it. How can that help us?”

  Gene smiled and touched Dee’s shoulder. “If she said that then she has a good code of ethics, and if we can show the same, maybe there is room for negotiation.” I will make it happen, Dee, I promise.

  “Sorry, guys, I had to make that call. Lead on to the next meeting.”

  Gene envied Quinn Merchant’s breezy confident way of entering a conversation…well hell, her confidence period. “Yes, of course this way.” Gene opened the door and waved Quinn forward and then Dee.

  “I need to just check on something for fifteen minutes is that okay?”

  Gene frowned. “Well yes. I told your father you would eat his lunch if he didn’t turn up. Don’t make me a liar.”

  Dee shook her head. “Never.”

  Gene watched as Dee headed for the outer door to reception and she sighed.

  “Are we just going to stand here?”

  Gene turned to the visitor. “Sorry, this way.” She pointed to the third door on the left.

  Chapter Ten

  Simone looked at the clock on the wall of the main bank area and narrowed her eyes. It was twelve fifty and no information from Desrosiers. Damn that woman, I thought she might have at least tried.

  “Ms. Baker, you have a call from HQ, shall I transfer it to your office?”

  “No, tell them I’m away from my desk and will be back by three. I’ll call them back.” She saw the frown on the teller’s face. “Hey, Christy, don’t worry, I will call them back.” Christy nodded and turned her attention back to the call.

  Simone strode toward the large glass window that gave a nice view of the entrance to the town. The traffic was moving but no one stayed for long and that was the problem with the town.

  “Simone, do you want lunch inside today?”

  Simone gazed at her PA and saw the uncertainty in her face. She must have heard my comment to Christy. I’ve never not taken a call from the head office. It wasn’t her fault that things were going pear shaped.

  “Sure, any chance of tuna mayo today?”

  “Absolutely.” Fiona grinned.

  Simone went back to her watchful gaze of the window until a frail voice said, “Can’t make things happen by just looking, you have to go out there and make a difference.”

  Before she could reply, Christy spoke.

  “Hi, Mrs. Cooper, what can I do for you today?” There was a loud laugh totally opposite to the frail tones.

  “Oh, just need a few dollars for my meetings this week. Quilt night this evening and then, of course, the Whist Drive on Friday at the church. Highlights of the week since my Fred died. I’d never see anyone if I didn’t have those social engagements. They keep me alive.”

  Simone watched the two women. Christy was amiable to Mrs. Cooper’s ramblings. Except it hit home that losing Desrosiers would have a far deeper impact than even she had realized. Walking over to her office she opened the door and entered, taking a position at the window, which was a tenth of the size of the main office.

  What was it that Mrs. Cooper had said…ah right: ‘Can’t make things happen just looking, you have to go out there and make a difference...’ She turned to her desk, picked up her purse and took the back entrance out of the building. Mrs. Cooper was right.

  †

  Mayor Darren Higson rolled his pencil between his thumb and forefinger and stared at Alice. She wasn’t sure if he was looking at her or into a private space. Still, at least he had listened to her news, although she suspected that he knew about the dire circumstances at Desrosiers. News travelled fast in a small town.

  “Are you absolutely sure about this, Alice?”

  Alice nodded and he shook his head.

  “Of course, I’ve heard a rumor or two in the past couple of weeks, nothing specific I might add. My wife was in New York recently and tried to buy the perfume from Sutters.” Alice raised her eyebrows. “Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it when we make it in our own backyard, but this particular one is only sold or commissioned by Sutters, ridiculous price too…you need to take out a second mortgage. Anyway, they had sold out and were waiting for stock. One of the sales assistants implied they might never sell it again.”

  “Shirley wouldn’t have been happy about that.” Alice watched Darren roll his eyes. Everyone in town knew Shirley indulged in luxury items and acted like a spoiled brat if she didn’t get what she wanted.

  Darren shrugged. “No, she wasn’t. Spent twice as much on a bottle for me. Between you and me I hate it and I’ve hidden it in the back of my wardrobe. I’m a Stet
son man, and I can buy it at Arnie’s drugstore in town with no fancy pricing.”

  “Darren, back to the subject. Is there anything we can do as a town to help? We both know if Desrosiers goes under the town does too, and with it all our aspirations. I’m pretty sure Shirley likes her role as first lady in town. It’s going to be hard to replace that in the near future, and besides you’ve worked so hard for it.”

  Darren stood and Alice smiled slightly. He could never be described as a tall man. Since she and Max had watched the Shrek movies, they nicknamed him privately Lord Farquaad, except unlike his on-screen character he had a friendly demeanor.

  “Then I will make some calls to the town council and arrange a meeting with Ms. Desrosiers, but it probably won’t happen until next week. Anything else, Alice?”

  “No, thank you for your time, Darren. We have planned to get together with various townsfolk on Saturday morning at Maxali’s, if you want to attend.”

  “Oh, I don’t—”

  “It will be good for your standing in the community. I’m sure you can rearrange your golf round just this once.” Alice gave him a tiny smile.

  Darren shook his head and chuckled. “That’s the problem with you, Alice, you never forget anything. I remember in school you could recall absolutely everything the teachers told you. You were also a good friend to me and my savior on many an occasion when I was bullied, I’ve never forgotten that.” He walked to stand beside her and then wrapped her in a hug. “I’ll be there and so will Shirley.”

  “If I know anything important, I will let you know.” Alice looked at the top of his head, Max would have been jealous, Darren’s head nestled for a few seconds close to her breasts. She withdrew from the embrace.

  “Have a great day, Alice, and give my regards to Maxine.”

  Alice nodded and left the room.