Chapter 3 - MY BROTHER GOT THERE FIRST
We returned after closing Tuesday night.
Mark was already waiting.
“Why were you with Susan?”
So much for the neurology appointment.
I helped Dad out of my car.
“Why are you monitoring where he goes?”
“Because I run this place.”
Dad stopped walking.
“I own this place.”
Mark’s expression hardened.
“You own paperwork, Dad. I keep the doors open.”
That was new.
Or maybe I had simply stopped listening years ago.
Denise came outside carrying her purse.
“If this is about Emma, we are not discussing it again. We have evidence.”
“Then show me.”
“Employee matters are confidential.”
I almost laughed.
“You announced it over a microphone.”
Denise’s face tightened.
Dad insisted on going to his office.
The bottom drawer of his old oak filing cabinet was empty.
No blue binder.
Dad stood there staring into the drawer.
“It was here Saturday.”
Mark leaned against the doorframe.
“Maybe you moved it.”
Dad looked at him.
Mark continued gently.
Too gently.
“You’ve been forgetting things lately.”
My father’s shoulders lowered.
I recognized the technique immediately.
Doubt him until he doubted himself.
“What was in the binder?” I asked.
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Deposit slips. Tip reports. Copies.”
“Copies of what?”
“Things that didn’t make sense.”
Denise sighed.
“Rachel, this is exactly what we’ve been dealing with. Frank gets confused and starts making accusations.”
I turned toward her.
“Then why did the shortages start four months before Emma’s first shift?”
Nobody answered.
Mark looked at Denise.
Denise looked at the floor.
That was the first consequence.
The accusation against my daughter no longer survived basic arithmetic.
Then Emma called me from home.
Her voice was shaking.
“Mom, Uncle Mark is outside.”
I looked directly at my brother.
He was standing ten feet away.
“Emma,” I said slowly, “lock the door.”
She whispered, “Not Uncle Mark.”
My stomach tightened.
May you like
“Who?”
“A man from the restaurant. He says Uncle Mark sent him to get Grandpa’s blue binder.”
