The Dead Letter by Finley Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

leather seat. Mary Anne approached and slid into the bench across from her.
    â€œHey,” she said, “You’re late. What’s up?”
    â€œWell,” she said and thought for a moment and smiled, “The CEO of Brown Technologies approached me this morning and offered me a contract to do annual background checks on his entire staff. Isn’t that wonderful?”
    Mary Anne nodded.
    â€œA hundred and thirty-five employees, all males, all professionals, all handsome, all single, all…”
    â€œâ€¦fictional?” added Mary Anne.
    â€œYou’re spoiling a wonderful illusion.”
    â€œReal women don’t need illusions. I read that in Cosmo .”
    â€œOh, yeah? So why do you put on lipstick and blush every morning, huh?”
    â€œSo I can look my age, of course.”
    â€œAnd how old are you, Mary Anne? The truth.”
    â€œThe truth is that real women have real secrets, and I’m old enough to keep mine.”
    â€œAren’t some secrets better shared with friends?” asked Anne.
    â€œSome better than others. You have one you want to share?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I do, but I’m not so sure you want to hear it.”
    â€œThere’s nothing that makes my mouth water more than a secret I haven’t been told. Out with it.”
    â€œHow about the secret of your vanishing money?”
    â€œI’m all ears, hon.”
    Anne pushed a brown manila envelope toward Mary Anne.
    â€œThe details are here…a few surprises, too. First, the waitress you thought was ripping you off? The new one? Genevieve?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œIt’s not her. Kate, on the other hand, is making a sugary sum at your expense.”
    â€œKate? But she’s worked here almost a year…and I didn’t notice any drop in revenue until the last couple months. Are you sure?”
    â€œAbsolutely. I can’t explain why the losses are recent. Could be a weakness for the slots, bills piling up, drugs. Could be a new boyfriend teaching her new tricks…or maybe she was just stealing less back then, and you didn’t notice.”
    â€œHow was she doing it?”
    â€œUnder-ringing mostly.”
    â€œWhaddaya mean?”
    â€œIf a customer orders a double, Kate rings in the cost of a single and pockets the difference. If someone orders a rum and coke, she just rings in the coke. She runs the tab in her head and pockets the grift near the end of her shift.”
    â€œWouldn’t I pick up those losses on my inventory check?”
    â€œShe probably gets around that by pouring smaller shots for other customers or watering down the bottles when business is slow. I counted her take at $43 from eleven until two in the morning.”
    â€œThanks,” said Mary Anne. “Your invoice is inside?” she asked pointing to the envelope.
    â€œConsider it an even trade,” Anne said pushing her lunch bill toward Mary Anne. “ Quid pro quo .”
    â€œNot a chance,” said Mary Anne. “Lunch is on me for the next two months.”
    â€œThat’ll screw up your inventory.”
    â€œI’ll call it a business expense.”
    Mary Anne waved to one of her waitresses who brought two coffees and set them on the table.
    â€œWhat’s Jacqui up to these days? I haven’t seen her for a few weeks.”
    â€œHigh school is a big change, but she’s doing well…very well, actually. Oh, by the way, we can’t call her ‘Jacqui’ anymore. It’s ‘Jacqueline.’ ‘Jacqui,’ she says, sounds too much like a boy’s name. ‘Jacqueline’ is more mature…and sophisticated, so she says.”
    â€œKids change, don’t they? Hell, everything changes. Look at Dit. A new woman. New legs. Thriving business. Who would have imagined that ten years ago? And whaddaya think of Gwen?” Mary Anne added enthusiastically.
    Anne returned a sour