Generation Lost (Gray Wolf Security #17)

CHAPTER TEN

Grant Zimmerman, the contractor and builder for Belle Fleur and all her projects, had always been given free reign when it came to hiring people for his team. This project was giving him a lot of free reign given the timeline and expectation of completion.

Interviewing skilled labor could be a long process, especially with the background checks used by his company. They didn’t have a lot of time, so the tech boys were lending a hand, getting the backgrounds done within minutes versus days. They wanted to get the homes built and ready for occupancy as fast as they could without any delays.

“Do you have a permit to carry a weapon?” asked Grant. The man frowned at him, giving him a strange look.

“It’s Louisiana. Most men have a permit to carry a weapon. I was in the Air Force for a few years and always carry.”

“That’s good,” nodded Grant.

“Is this job dangerous?” he asked. “I was told I’d be doing basic carpentry work.”

“You will, but the previous owners of the land are angry that we bought it from the mortgage company and are rebuilding the homes they tore down. They were all owned by senior citizens who were cheated out of their properties.”

“I see,” nodded the man. He was probably mid- to late-forties, slender but seemed fit. “Well, I’m not married. Divorced about eight years ago. I live not far from here, and I’d be more than happy to help with whatever you need. I know how to use a weapon, and I’m not afraid to use one. Do you expect violence?”

“I damn sure hope not,” said Grant. “However, the previous owners are known for not taking ‘no’ very well.”

“Do you need more workers?” asked the man thoughtfully.

“I need a crew of at least two hundred,” said Grant. “I’m desperate for labor of all the trades. Carpentry, plumbing, roofing, all of it.”

“I think I can help,” he smiled. “I do a lot of work for a group called Brother Builders. Corny, but it’s all men and women who served. Now we work contract jobs around the city. Business has been slow lately.”

“How many people are we talking about?” asked Grant.

“Three, maybe four hundred,” he said.

“Call them. Call them all, and as many that can make it here and pass the interview will be hired. Here are the wages,” he said, sliding the sheet toward the man. “We offer healthcare, holidays off, vacation days, all of it. If they do a great job here, I’ll have a shit-ton more work for them in the future.”

“Are you serious?” asked the man.

“As a heart attack, my friend,” laughed Grant.

By the end of the day, Grant had four full crews working on the property. Plumbing and foundation were being laid out, and plans were being made for framing within the next week. With the days being longer and giving them more daylight, it was a blessing Grant didn’t take for granted.

“Time for dinner, fellas!” he yelled.

“Dinner?” frowned one of the men.

“We expect our men to be healthy and strong. To do that, we provide meals every day. That catering truck over there is owned and operated by our company. They will provide three meals a day and snacks if you need them. Water, electrolyte drinks, and fresh fruit. I don’t want men injured, getting overheated, or dying on my job site. Your health is number one.”

“Who are you, mister?” asked a young woman. “I’ve been working construction for five years, and no one has ever given a shit about my health unless it affected the job.”

“I’m sorry that’s been your experience,” said Grant as he grabbed one of the boxes with dinner inside. Brooke and Tru waved the workers over, telling them their choices for the evening meal.

“We’ve got roast beef po’boys with fries and gravy, grilled chicken salads, seafood pasta, or a vegetarian option for anyone who needs that. Cookies, chips, potato and macaroni salad are over there in the small containers, and drinks in the coolers. Help yourselves.”

“You know, I thought you were nuts for paying us so much. I thought it was a joke, but this, this is just crazy,” said the man Grant had spoken to at the start of the day.

“Like I said, we’re a different kind of company. I like my people to want to come to work. I don’t want to force anyone to do a job they hate,” said Grant. “We, all of us, believe if you treat people well, they’ll want to stay, and they’ll want to come to work every day.”

“Well, you’ve damn sure got my vote.”

“That’s good,” nodded Grant. “If this other company causes issues, I want them to be aware of the fact that we’ve got an army of our own.”

“What happens when this is all done?” asked another man.

“Well, if you still like working for me, I’ve got plenty of jobs that need people. I can keep every one of you employed for at least another four or five years, maybe longer.”

“Why haven’t you advertised for help before now?” asked another woman.

“That’s not how my company works. I want to handpick the people who work for me. You all heard my rules earlier. No drinking, no drugs, no verbal abuse or harassment. If you avoid those things with me, we’ll be golden.”

“Can I ask a favor?” Grant turned to look at three men standing behind him.

“You can ask me anything,” said Grant.

“We’ve been living out of our cars for a while now. Would it be alright if we camped here? We won’t make a mess, and we can watch the area at night for you.” Tru and Brooke stared at Grant, watching his wheels turn.

“If you have tents and would like to camp here, you have my permission. But what I’d really like to do is put you up in a temporary apartment until we can get you something of your own.” Tru gave a nod and a smile to Grant. She knew that Mr. Matthew would have wanted it this way as well.

“You can’t be serious. It’s just for a week or two until we get paid. We don’t want you to go to all that trouble. There’s space for us to camp out here, and there’s running water.”

“There is,” nodded Grant. “You have my permission to run any electricity to the boxes we’ve got up and running. If this is what you’d prefer, I understand. I just want you to be comfortable and well-rested in the mornings. I need for you to stay safe, and we need a safe job site.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Zimmerman,” said the younger man.

“It’s just Grant.” He looked around at the others, all enjoying their meals. “Are there others? Are there more than just the three of you sleeping in your cars?”

“I think so,” whispered the young man. “I can’t say for sure, sir. But I think so.”

Grant walked away to make a phone call, and Tru handed the young man a plate of food.

“Thank you, ma’am. Is he really like this all the time?”

“He is,” smiled Tru. “Our whole team is. My husband and Brooke’s husband all work for the company doing different things.”

“Different things? Different than construction?” he asked.

“Yes. We own a lot of different businesses.” She smiled at the young man as he nodded. “Eat up while it’s hot.”

As the men and women finished their meals and got back to work, Grant made a point of walking around and telling them what a great job they were doing and how beautiful their work was. He believed in constantly supporting and encouraging his employees, coaching them when needed, and ensuring that they truly wanted to work for him. When the sun began to settle low in the sky, they all looked up, shocked by what they saw.

“Quitting time!” he yelled through the bullhorn. “Gather around.”

“What’s going on?” asked the same young man from earlier.

“Well, I’ve been thinking that I might need constant security here on the site. I know it’s a lot to ask, but if anyone would be willing to stay here, I’ve had those twelve travel trailers brought in. They all have their own kitchens, space for up to four people to sleep, a bathroom, everything. I’ll make sure there are generators to run the electricity, and we’ll have a sewer truck to come out and pump the bathrooms at least once a week. You can connect to our water source here. It would be a big favor for me if you or anyone is willing.”

The three men from earlier stepped forward right away, nodding at their new boss.

“I’d be happy to,” said a woman. “I’m not married, no kids, and I’m living in a motel near the interstate. This is much better for me.”

“Perfect,” nodded Grant.

In all, he had fourteen volunteers for the trailers. Two women decided to bunk together, and two men took one together. All were either living out of their cars or in not-so-desirable temporary housing.

“You folks get a good night’s rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Mr. Grant,” called the young man, walking toward him. “We can’t thank you enough. I can’t thank you enough. I feel like my world just took a major turn for the good.”

“You’re a hard worker, and I’m lucky to have you on my job site,” smiled Grant. “Remind me of your name again.”

“Albert. Al. My friends call me Al.”

“Al,” nodded Grant. “Get a good hot shower and relax. You’ll find that the trailers are all stocked. I’ll see you in the morning.”

As Grant drove away, the others began settling into their new homes. The trailers had been placed in an old-fashioned wagon circle, making it like a small community. They couldn’t believe how beautiful the insides were. Fresh linens, comfortable beds, and, just as he’d promised, fully stocked cabinets and refrigerators.

“Are we dreaming?” asked one of the women.

“If we are, don’t fucking wake me up.”

As promised, the food truck was there again the next day, serving up breakfast burritos and other hot breakfast sandwiches, the biggest cinnamon rolls they’d ever seen, hot coffee, tea, and juice.

“Good morning,” called Grant, walking toward them with a smile. “How did everyone sleep?”

“Like a baby,” smiled Al. “Best sleep I’ve had in years.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” nodded Grant. “You’re doing great work, and I can see what we can finish today. If you need anything, just come and find me or this nice gentlemen here. This is Mr. Matthew Robicheaux, my financial backer for the company. He’s the man you can thank for everything.”

The crews expressed their thanks to Matthew, finished their morning meal, and immediately got to work. Matthew wandered the grounds, speaking to every man and woman there. With intent.

“All okay, Matthew?” asked Grant. Matthew gave that mischievous smile that he always gave, looking as if he knew something that no one else did. Which was probably the truth, and it annoyed Grant.

“You’ve got a fine crew, Grant. Nothing for you to worry about at all. I can tell that they’re all good men and women. Honest, hardworking, and they desire to help others. This is where they’re all supposed to be, and we found them in one big group. Couldn’t ask for more than that. At this pace, you’ll have the entire neighborhood of houses done in a couple of months. Good houses.” Grant hugged the older man, slapping his back. He was shocked, as always, at this steadiness, strength, and solid, hard body.

“Couldn’t do any of it without you, Matthew.”