Chapter 22 #2
But for me, all I want to do is sit in my office chair and message Poppy to check in.
When her reply appears on the screen, saying that she and Autumn have just ordered dessert and they’ll be at least another half-hour, I find myself breathing a sigh of relief.
It sounds like she’s having a good time and there are no dramas.
That’s a plus, considering the way this night started after she left.
Leaning back in my chair and just staring at the security screens aimlessly, Tessa catches my eye as she hovers next to some empty glasses.
As soon as Charlene turns her back, Tessa leans in and scoops a tip off the bar, swiftly tucking the bills down her bra.
Her movements are so quick, Charlene has no time to notice.
“What the fuck.” I bang the desk with my fist as I immediately sit up straighter in my chair and watch Tessa’s every move with laser focus.
Charlene says something to Tessa, who nods back at her and goes into the storage room and then comes back with a couple of bottles of whiskey and tequila to replenish the bar, setting them down on the counter in front of her.
Tessa is standing with her back to the customers, appearing to check for any other bottles that might need to be restocked.
She’s right next to the end cash register.
Charlene rings up a sale, and the tray opens.
She puts in the money, takes out change for the customer, throws part of it into the tip jar, then quickly pushes the drawer closed so she can move on to the next customer.
But the drawer doesn’t completely close, which happens sometimes when you’re in a rush.
It’s never a problem because it’s not in a spot where customers can reach.
I watch Tessa turn her head, eye up the slightly open drawer, take a step closer to it, and then look toward Charlene whose back is still to Tessa.
“Don’t do it,” I mumble out loud. I’ve been in this industry long enough that I can already see what’s about to play out, and I’m praying like hell I’m wrong.
Tessa looks around, realizing that no one is paying attention to her, and then the temptation is too great.
Her fingers slide into the gap where the drawer is open, and she quickly pinches some cash.
I can’t see clearly how much she takes, but I know it’s least six or more bills, and likely hundred-dollar bills by the slot they came from.
She scrunches up the money tightly into her fist and then pushes the drawer shut tight this time.
“Fuuuuuck!” I yell in frustration. “You had to fucking do it, didn’t you!
” Thumping my fist on the desk again, I’m ready to rip her apart.
How could she do this to Poppy, her own daughter.
Tessa knows she’s got this job because of my relationship with Poppy, and that I’m trying to support Poppy to foster a relationship with her.
But now it’s come back to bite me on the ass.
Still watching her like a hawk, she doesn’t stash it in her bra this time.
Instead, Tessa shoves the money down the front of her pants and picks up the bar towel that’s been sitting next to her on the counter.
Tessa wipes down part of the bar, then leans toward Charlene as she turns back to the cash register again to ring up another sale.
Tessa says something to Charlene and points toward the bathroom.
I’m not waiting for her to put that cash somewhere, I need her in here now while the evidence is still on her.
I don’t need the physical cash to prove she took it, the video says it all, but I would rather confront her in here, just the two of us, so the staff don’t suspect anything.
If I have John take Tessa into the security room, then it’s a dead giveaway what’s happening.
I don’t know what’s going to happen going forward, so this is a better way to start.
“John, get Tessa in my office now,” I bellow angrily into my microphone. “Don’t let her go anywhere on the way. From the bar straight to me, understood?” I growl.
“Copy that,” he replies, and I see him on the security camera step up to her as she gets to the end of the bar.
She tries to explain she needs the bathroom, but he has his orders and he’ll carry them out exactly as I asked him to.
His hand clasps around the top of her arm, and he guides her to the hallway on her way to me.
I push out of my chair and begin pacing my office until the door opens, and I hear Tessa’s high-pitched overly sweet voice, the same one that she was using earlier tonight with John. “I’m sure Landon won’t mind if I go to the bathroom first before he sees me. I’ll be quick.”
But John brings her into the office, nods at me before letting go of her arm, and then walks away, making sure to close the door behind him.
I step in front of her with my arms crossed, my fists clenched tight.
I pull my shoulders back and glare at her, not caring if I look intimidating, because I mean to.
I’m not holding back with Tessa right now.
She needs to understand how badly she’s just fucked up.
I’m not her daughter’s boyfriend here, I’m her boss who she just stole from.
“Sorry, Landon, I just need to visit the ladies’ room, I’ll be straight back,” Tessa says as she’s about to turn and walk out of the office, but I start talking before she can move even the slightest.
“I’m going to give you one chance to tell me, and one chance only,” I warn her, and there’s no mistaking how angry I am with how deep and raspy my tone is.
Watching her intently, I’m surprised by how well she holds her composure. She doesn’t look away or fidget. Instead, Tessa looks me dead in the eye, with not an ounce of guilt showing on her face.
“Pardon?” she replies.
“You heard me. But I’ll say it again nice and clearly so there’s no mistake what I’m asking. You have one chance to tell me what you just did, Tessa,” I say bluntly.
“I’m sorry, Landon, I’m a little confused. I don’t understand what you’re asking. I’ve just been helping Charlene behind the bar and clearing the tables of dirty glasses like you asked me to.” Her body language hasn’t changed, not even a twitch on her face or a bead of sweat on her arched brow.
“If there’s one thing I hate in this world, it’s dishonest people.
I can forgive certain wrongdoings that individuals have had to do in their life, because sometimes, it’s the only way for them to survive.
” I glare at her, taking a moment to get past the dryness in my mouth as a memory of myself as a kid resurfaces, stealing food because it was the only way I got to eat.
“Poppy means the world to me, and I will not let her be hurt any more than she has been already. So, for her sake, I’m going to give you a chance to explain why you just stole money off the bar and out of the cash register.” And still, she doesn’t flinch one inch with me accusing her of stealing.
“I didn’t touch the cash register, I would never do such an awful thing. I swear to you, Landon, on Poppy’s life.” And like her words were a red flag she just waved in front of a bull, I explode.
Dropping my arms, my fists by my side, I’m so tense, taking a step that puts me only a foot in front of Tessa.
I make sure I’m not touching her in any way.
I’m not giving her any ammunition to use against me in a workplace complaint.
I should’ve told John to stay in the office so I had a witness, but I was hoping Tessa would crumble the moment I confronted her and then we could talk about it in private.
I wasn’t expecting her to completely deny it.
“Are you fucking stupid, Tessa!” I roar at her.
“We have security cameras that film the bar from every angle. I sat here and watched you do it. It’s recorded in black and white.
You opened the cash register and took out a fistful of hundred-dollar bills.
You shoved them down the front of your pants.
So, either you pull the money out and put it on my desk or I’ll call the police and they can do it for you.
” I hope she doesn’t call my bluff about the police because I don’t want to have to do that.
“So I suggest you just do the right thing and hand the money back, and then we’ll work out how we’re going to get past this. ”
The threat of what I said must’ve been enough for her to give up trying to deny she did it.
Tessa’s tears start pouring out of her as she reaches down the front of her pants and pulls out two of the hundred-dollar bills, holding them out for me to take.
“And the rest, including the tip you stole from Charlene and shoved down your bra,” I order at her.
“No, there isn’t any more… I promise, I only took two, that’s all I needed.
And I would never take any tips from my friends.
” Tessa is laying it on thick, pretending to be so upset, when I know she’s still hiding more from me.
Her use of the word “friends” pushes my blood pressure even higher.
She’s been stealing from them for days. “I’m sorry, I’m just broke and I needed to pay my rent. ”
Sob, sob, sob.
Tessa’s now gasping in between her sobs and hangs her head, looking down at the floor as though she’s too ashamed to face me. My gut instinct tells me it’s not that at all. I think it’s the opposite, in that she doesn’t want me to work out that this is all an act.
“Please… don’t… tell… Poppy,” she whimpers through her tears.
I don’t know what to do with her right now.
I feel like she’s playing me, and I’m too angry to think rationally.
Maybe she is desperate for money, but this isn’t the answer.
Stealing from me and continuing to lie about it even when she’s been caught.
I need time to cool off before I say something I shouldn’t.