CHAPTER TEN
“Deanna, can I see you for a moment?”
“Of course, Mr. Barnham.”
She stood from her desk and walked into her boss’s office. He’d been the one to ask her to be on the selection committee for the parades. He was always asked to do things for the community but seemed to find ways to get his staff to do the work instead of himself. No doubt he would advertise the company’s good deeds with his and his partners’ names, not Deanna’s.
“Have a seat, Deanna.”
“This doesn’t sound good,” she frowned.
“No. No, it’s fine. Deanna, we’ve been trying to build our business here and are doing a great job. A lot of our new business came from clients that you and your father saw together.” She nodded, swallowing as she stared at the man in front of her. “Penn Carver has asked to partner with our firm on a very large account he has. He suggested that you would be the perfect person to work with them since your father worked with them at one time.”
“Who are we talking about, Bill?” She had a pit in her stomach growing wider by the minute.
“Douglass and Jackson Construction.”
“No.”
“What? Deanna, we’re a firm. We take on new businesses, and we all do our part. It’s not about liking them or disliking them. This is just another company that needs help with their taxes before the IRS comes after them. It’s as simple as that, and I’d think you’d jump at this since your father worked with them.”
“My father chose not to do business with them, Bill. He specifically said, ‘we will have nothing to do with that company.’ Now, I don’t know why he said that. He didn’t tell me. But I will not do business with them either. He had his reasons, and I wish I knew what they were, but if that was how he felt, there was something there.”
“Deanna, this doesn’t look good for us. They asked for you. They said your father started some work for them and then, obviously, couldn’t finish it. This could be huge for your career.”
“Bill, you’re still not listening. I like my career the way it is. I like doing taxes for mom-and-pop businesses, for struggling families. It makes me feel good. People are terrified of taxes and the IRS. I want them to feel better about it. That company, whatever my father saw, is not who we wanted to do business with.”
“Deanna, I don’t want to have to remind you that I could terminate you if you refuse to take on this business.”
Deanna stood, staring straight at the middle-aged man. His hair was snow white, his face was filled with worry lines and wrinkles. Photos of his wife, grown children, and a grandchild were behind him. There were also photos of his new home, new boat, and vacation property in Telluride.
“You do what you need to do, Bill. I won’t compromise my beliefs in this way. It’s not how I was raised.”
“Think about it,” he said slowly. “Think about it and get back with me tomorrow.”
“I won’t change my mind, but I’ll get back with you tomorrow.”
Deanna left the office and immediately headed out to Gray Wolf. When she arrived, it was Luc and Dex who were sitting in the outer office, laughing over coffee and something silly that had happened earlier in the day.
“Deanna! What a surprise. Were we scheduled to see you?” asked Dex. She shook her head, biting her lower lip. Her pale skin told them both that she was scared.
“Deanna? Honey, take a seat,” said Luc. He sent a text to Gaspar, Nine, Ian, and Ghost and then grabbed some water for her. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Did someone break into the warehouse again?” asked Dex. The others walked out, looking around the room. Behind the four leaders were Vince, Ivan, and Jean.
“No. I have a weird feeling, though. My boss. My boss called me into his office today and told me I had to take on a new client. Douglass and Jackson Construction.”
“I’ve heard of them,” said Ghost. “They’re building one of the additions on the hospital downtown.” She nodded.
“They’re very big in New Orleans and the surrounding area. But the thing is, they tried to get my father to take them on. Originally, Dad agreed to give a cursory glance at their stuff. Then he suddenly stood and told me we would never do business with them. Never. He told them he wasn’t going to do their taxes. Today, Bill, my boss, said that they specifically asked for me to take over the account since my father had information on them. I refused.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he could fire me over this. He can. I know he can, and I don’t care, but it scared me. I’m not even sure why.”
“Honey, what did your dad find on them?” asked Ian.
“I don’t know. He refused to let me see the documentation they brought but said we would never do business with them. I just can’t go against something that was so important to Dad.”
“Nor should you,” said Ian. “Tomorrow, we’re going to send Jean with you to submit your resignation. You are now the new tax expert for the businesses of Belle Fleur.”
“Wh-what? No. No, I can’t ask you to do that. I’m okay for a while. I have savings,” she said.
“Nope,” said Gaspar. “Afraid not, kiddo. I think we need to have you stay out here for a while. Something is fucked up, Deanna. We all agree that whatever is happening is more than just destroying floats. There’s an underlying piece of strange conspiracy and mystery here, and we have to find it.”
“You can’t be serious,” frowned Deanna. “Are you thinking this has something to do with Mom and Dad?”
“Maybe,” nodded Nine. “And you were the only person who saw the individuals who killed them. You might not remember them. In fact, the papers made sure to report that you couldn’t remember a thing that evening. Yes, it was early evening, but still. Yes, you were there. But you couldn’t identify the men.”
Deanna leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, shaking her head. She sat up and looked around at all the familiar faces, a feeling of security and protection washing over her. Ivan stared at the young woman and smiled.
Before she could respond, the doors opened, and three massive men walked in with a loud cry of hello.
“Grandpa!” yelled Pax and Brax, hugging Ivan.
“I’ll be damned, you’re home.”
“Yes, sir. Patrick, too.” Pax turned to see the somewhat familiar face. He cocked his head to the side and then smirked as the beautiful woman smiled.
“Hi, Pax.”
“Deanna? Deanna Trehorn? Damn, you look exactly the same,” he laughed, hugging her.
“I don’t feel the same,” she frowned. Pax and Brax looked at the others.
“It’s a long story,” said Ivan. “If you guys have some free time, would you mind going into town with Deanna and help her to gather her things? She’s going to be staying out here for a while.”
“Yeah. Yeah, of course,” said Brax. “Come on, Deanna.” She stood up and hugged each of the older men.
“Would you mind swinging by my office, Brax? I think I need to turn in my notice, and I’d like some support with me when I do.”