Little White Lies by Paul Watkins Read Free Book Online Page A

can tell you right now, the man’s a troublemaker. I can tell about those things, I really can.”
    Yeah, right. Damn! This is already more fun than I’ve had in a year. How many people almost get fired in their first ten minutes on the job? Right now I think I’m one of the lucky few, but only time will tell.

CHAPTER 4  
    I take my leave through the kitchen door and walk towards the front of the house. The workmen should be coming in to work about now. If possible, I want to meet them all today. Martha told me a man named Ned Walker is the fellow in charge of the grounds crew. About thirty yards away, near one of the gardens, there are two men talking. One, much smaller than the other, is leaning on a rake and doing a lot of listening. He nods as the other man points to another garden near the far end of the house. From Martha’s description I think I know which one is Ned. She said he was a big man, a description that hardly does him justice. From my viewing angle, I don’t think there are too many things around here that Ned couldn’t lift, including cars and small buildings. The man is simply immense… make that huge. As I approach the men stop talking and the man I assume is Ned looks down at me patiently.
    “Are you Ned Walker?” I ask mustering the biggest smile I can imagine. I suppose I tend to smile a lot when I’m confronted with a giant. He probably climbs a beanstalk to go home.
    “That’s me,” he replies, also with a smile, but not nearly as nice as mine. “You must be, Mr. Richards.”
    The man Ned had been talking with prior to my arrival ignores us as he bends over and collects a few tools and then shuffles off in the direction Ned had pointed out earlier. We both watch his retreating figure for a moment before I extend my hand to Ned and watch it disappear into his massive paw. Fortunately the giant is gentle and I am able to withdraw my hand intact. I like him even more now than before.
    “Right, I’m Philip Richards. I would prefer that you call me Philip, if it’s okay with you.”
    If it isn’t all right with him, I don’t know what the hell I’d do about it. I could park a car his shadow. I suppose this business about first names could stand a little explanation. You see, while I want to have a formal relationship with my boss, I’m really a very informal person myself and I find it much easier to work with people if there are no artificial barriers between us. A double standard, I know, but I never said I was perfect. Besides, I have good reasons for wanting to address my boss in a formal manner. My situation is different, and I think I’ll just leave it at that. I have found people who are really good at rationalization can usually find reasons to explain their otherwise irrational behavior.
    “Fine by me,” he replies in his easy-going manner. “Anything I can do for you?”
    “Yes, there is something you could help me with. I’m not familiar with much of anything around here, but I have to start work on an operating budget and I would like your input with regard to the needs of the maintenance operation. With a place this size I’m sure there’s a lot going on. I want to sit down with you and get a better understanding of your responsibilities andwhat kinds of supplies you will need throughout the year.” Ned looks a bit troubled at this point. “I realize you may not have everything handy,” I add, “but we have to start somewhere and you are the best person to talk with about the grounds. No matter how little you think you know, you certainly know a lot more than anyone else about the costs associated with maintaining this place.”
    Ned stands silently in apparent contemplation before he speaks. “I’m not sure how much help I can be, Mr. Richards, I …”.
    “Ned, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I would like you to call me, Philip. Just, Philip, okay?”
    “Sure. I guess you said that before. Didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Anyway, Philip, I was about to say