CH28
Serena Kaye stretched out while still in bed lying next to the love of her life. How Joanne had stolen her heart had her chuckling softly so as not to wake her. Here she was a thief that stole works of art mostly from rich people to sell it to other rich people.
It was even comical! She had, at one time, stolen the very same piece from whom she sold it to so she could sell it to another person that wanted it. Her honest job was getting art back for the museum or owner that had allowed a museum to display it. She charged 10% of the real market value of the item. She used all of the money to have her home built and to have housing built for her friends who just happened to be mountain lion shifters.
She also used it to help other shifters. Yes, missing the attack on the polar bear community had been something that they couldn't prevent. Serena had found out about the attack too late to do anything about it. The loss had affected all of them greatly. Still they had found a new place for the remaining polar bears from that community to relocate to. They had also helped them set up the ambush on Coonan and Josh's team.
The equipment that Paladin had provided their team that was now theirs was simply icing on the cake. It had taken Sarah to explain what the weapons they had found in the trucks were, as well as the long distance communication equipment that had a scrambler.
Even today that very same group was almost done setting up their new community and the communication equipment they now had allowed them to talk with Sarah whenever they chose.
Serena extracted herself from her lover's arms and put on a pair of panties, leggings and an oversize top that fell off her shoulder, then went downstairs headed for the kitchen.
Serena stopped at Sarah who was the computer in the center core and pressed the panel. "Anything on who this single person with a 6-year-old could be?" Serena asked her.
"Negative, however I am still searching. It is likely this person is using a fake name to hide behind. Wyoming narrows the search pattern considerably. The first satellite to be in position will be in...32 minutes and 16 seconds…mark," Sarah answered.
"I'll be in the kitchen eating. When the satellite's in place alert me and put the visual on the TV in the living room," Serena requested. "Acknowledged," Sarah responded.
Sarah wasn't a true AI anymore than Watson, that IBM had made, was a true AI. Sarah was simply a little better than Watson, but nobody told her that. She thought she was light years above Watson who was still in the Stone Age compared to her.
XXXXXXxxxxXXXXXXXxxxxxxxXXXXXxxxxxxXXXxxxxXXxxXXxxXXx
This was the part that Johanna was the most unsure about. Hiring people and likely firing people later or simply losing them because they had chosen to move on.
They had timed their visit perfectly, it was just before class and they got a chance to talk to the teacher. She sounded happy with what Johanna was doing and was actually dying to find out what Johanna would be cooking. "You want to hire some of my students?" She tried to comprehend what Johanna was asking. "As cooks, dishwashers, hosts or hostesses or even wait staff. If they have an interest in learning how a real restaurant works and get paid for it, yes," Johanna confirmed.
"If you have at least three kids who would like to cook and get paid that would be great. We'll give you the menu and Johanna can come in and teach them alongside you so they learn how to make the items on the menu. Be it just the appetizers, soups or desserts."
"Maybe they want to work with the general public and be a host that greets the customers and seats them. They will learn how long it takes to eat a meal and what to tell people regarding how long they will have to wait," Oscar offered.
"Let me teach my class and I'll discuss it before the end of the class then call you in so you can pitch your offer directly to them," she offered. Johanna and Oscar accepted.
The class was normally an hour, however, she stopped teaching after only 40 minutes. "I have two people that want to talk with each of you. Nancy, Mark, Jerry, and Shawn, you four will probably want to listen closely to what they have to say." She singled out the 4 of them, went to the door, and called Johanna and Oscar in.
"Hi, I'm not actually sure how… My name is Johanna Beckett and this is my friend and architect Oscar Lehman. I'm renovating the abandoned Wendys® down the road and turning it into a working restaurant. Some of you have probably seen the construction."
"What I want is to hire some of you. Be cooks to help me cook the items on the menu, be hosts or hostesses, dishwashers, bus boys, or wait staff. Each of you would be paid to do this. The restaurant is only open for dinner so it will not interfere with your school work," Johanna informed them and heard a soft "Rats" from someone. "Sorry," Johanna chuckled.
"You will be given a small amount of medical coverage, at least until it becomes too expensive to offer. There will also be a 401k account for each of you. You will select how much of your pay you want to go into each of these accounts. I will match it for free up to 2% of your gross pay for the 401k. I guess what I'm really offering you is the chance to learn how a restaurant works and get paid for it. In turn I get the use of what your teacher has taught you," Johanna said after telling them her offer.
"There are people who pay to go to culinary school and pay thousands for the privilege. Johanna here is offering each of you hands-on experience while paying you to learn. She is risking her future while at the same time offering you the experience of a lifetime. She is trusting that you know what you are doing and are willing to learn while on the job and get paid for it."
"This is the listing of each job and the amount of pay associated with each. This is the information you will need to read concerning the medical coverage and what is included and what isn't. While this is the information you will need to read to understand how your 401k works."
"Finally this is the form you will need your parents to read and sign allowing you to work for her. If any of you are 18 years old or older," and he doubted it, "you do not need their signature. However I would suggest that you still give it to them to read and sign anyway." Oscar started handing out papers based on what each kid did or did not say.
"Take all of this home with you and talk with your parents. Use the number listed to ask any questions you may have. That includes your parents which I'm sure will have plenty, not the least of which will be one you have to answer. Are you willing to commit to this job? Spend your evenings working and making a wage while learning instead of messing around with your friends."
"Not that you won't have ANY time to do just that. While the restaurant is presently scheduled to be open 6 days a week, there will be enough jobs that you will not be required to work each and every day of the week that it is open. You will not be giving up everything for this job. You can still be you."
"Oh, one more thing. There is a dress code. You will each be provided with one or more dress shirts that will have the name and logo on it. It is black and you will be required to provide your own black pants and black shoes. Do try to select shoes that have skid-resistant soles."
"I'm sure everyone would like to prevent the embarrassment of dropping some table's order all over the floor, having plates break, and a mess that you get to clean up. Your peers, I'm sure, will be only too happy to remind you about it for the next few weeks should it happen," Oscar informed them, which got some of them to start laughing.
"Please take home the information and talk to your parents. I'm offering you the possibility to show the residents of Newcastle, as well as people who stop here while driving through town, that you do in fact know how to cook and learn parts of a restaurant that you won't learn here."
"You'll be making money that your friends or classmates won't have. Slip on the ice and break your arm and you'll have medical coverage. At least a little anyway. Is there something that you desperately have to have but your parents won't or can't buy for you? Buy it yourself provided they approve. Use the money to help your family. Save up for college. Didn't think you could afford it? Maybe, just maybe, now you can. You may still need a job while in school, but this money may be just what you need. Everyone has dreams but are not sure how to achieve them. This may or may not be what you were looking for, but didn't know it."
"Think it over and let me know. I'm offering these jobs to you before I offer them to the rest of the town and the country. If not enough of you accept the offer I will fill them where I can," Johanna told them then thanked the teacher for the time as she and Oscar left just as the bell rang for the end of the class.
"What do you think?" she asked Oscar as he drove her to the construction site so they could take a quick look. "Hard to tell. If you get half of what you need, count your blessings. We need to get the job offers out to everyone else next week. You need your employees hired and ready to go when those doors open," he warned her while she nodded in agreement.
She needed 10 wait staff, 3 bus boys, 3 hosts or hostesses, 5 additional cooks plus herself, 2 dishwashers and 1 expeditor. The expeditor would likely be another adult who would work each of the 6 days just like Johanna would be doing. The others would have an extra day or two off as they cycled through their work schedule.
The expeditor's job was to review the incoming orders on the point of sale (POS) screen and verify that each order was taken care of and observe how long it took between the order and being served. Request this or that if it was taking too long. As well as handle what orders came back because the customer was unhappy for some reason.
Oscar pulled into the parking lot. "Looks like we're making progress," he announced, pleased with what he saw. To Johanna, however, things looked worse than last time. "You're sure?" She made a face as she questioned him while staring out of her Jeep.
He started laughing. To him it looked like they were doing great. The expansion had walls and most of the roof, the existing exterior walls were mostly scrubbed down to the studs and the Green board was going up. The roofer would be out soon to finish work on the roof. As soon as the windows were in the contractor would divide his time between inside and outside. The new A/C unit would show up and be lifted up onto the roof using a crane.
They needed the chimneys made out of stone to be started soon. Yeah, they were doing great. A little over 2 months at this pace and they would be open. "Yes, we're doing great. How about we go home and look to see if my staff has finished adding cookies to your billboards?" He started the car when she started smiling.
XXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXxxxxxxXXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXxxXXx
Kate drove home to find no one was home and went upstairs to pack her overnight bag. Along the way she took a peek at the sleeping forms of Patch and Thor. Seeing him told her that Oscar was still here. She raced back downstairs and drove her stupid hunk of junk across the highway to Rick's house.
Since she had a key, she used it to get inside and relocked the door just as Midas and Maggie showed up to be petted. She found Alexis in the living room working on a puzzle at the coffee table. She dropped her bag at the stairs. "Hi Kate!" Alexis was happy to see her.
"Hi Alexis." Kate bent down to kiss the top of her head. "That's a lot of puzzle you have there." She hadn't gotten very far and it really was a lot of little pieces for a 6-year-old child. Just what was Rick thinking? "How about I help you with that right after I talk to your father, take a shower, and change clothes," Kate offered which got a smile from Alexis. "Okay." She was happy to have Kate close.
Since Kate could smell cooking she walked into the kitchen. "Honey, I'm home," she teased since it was a clear role reversal. "My own personal comic deputy sheriff. How ever did I get so lucky?" Rick dead panned, teasing her back.
She stepped into Rick's embrace and melted the second he wrapped his arms around her. The stress of the day drifted away; she was becoming very thankful for what he could do. She lifted her face and kissed him. "Have I mentioned how hot I find a woman in uniform? Especially if I get to remove said uniform." He arched his eyebrows a couple of times, earning a short giggle from her. "Maybe another time. I need to shower first. …And no you can't join me, because if you burn our dinner because you are in the shower with me, Alexis and I will be very cross with you." Kate cut him off at the pass.
"Fine, have it your way little miss boring." He gave her a quick kiss. "Another monotonous drive I take it?" Rick asked, Kate still in his arms. "You should know, you talked to me like every half hour all day long." She was exaggerating a little, but this being able to hear the others thoughts was proving to have its uses.
"I did no such thing," he countered. "It was more like every couple of hours at best," he offered up what he remembered. "And since the clock in my car is about the only thing that works properly, it was every hour on the hour and you know it. I'm going to go take my shower now." She lifted up to kiss him again. "And do not burn our dinner," she called over her shoulder on the way out. Rick sighed heavily as he went back to his cooking. Yeah, he was in love alright. He was in deep and he wanted it to stay that way.
Kate finally felt clean after driving all day. Now dressed in leggings and an oversized t-shirt that exposed the straps of her sea foam colored bra, she sat down on the floor next Alexis and kissed her cheek. "Now let's see what we can do with this puzzle of yours," she offered and began selecting pieces.
They were still working on it an hour later, though they were making progress. "Dinner is almost ready. Pumpkin, take Midas and Maggie outside so they can do their thing," Rick called out. "Okay Dad." And Alexis left Kate behind as she took the dogs outside. Kate walked into the kitchen. "So what are we eating tonight?" she inquired as she poked her head in to see what he had taken out of the oven.
"Bolognese lasagne," she was informed which immediately had her stomach growling and Rick chuckling. That earned him a light swat to his arm. "You've been talking to my mother behind my back. I LOVE LASAGNE!" she told him, not that Rick knew that 'til now. He gave her a quick kiss. "Good! Now go wash and make sure Alexis does too, please," he requested and started setting the dining room table so they could eat.
Kate soon dropped her fork and leaned back in her chair. She was amused when Alexis did the same. "I'm stuffed. I eat another bite and I'll blow," she announced, getting a "Me too," from Alexis that had Kate smiling.
"Does that mean you don't have any room left for ice cream?" Rick teased them. Kate opened her mouth and then closed it again. Ice cream sounded good, but she meant what she said. "No thanks. I need to watch my figure," she replied. "You keep that figure and I'll keep watching," he announced. 'Is that all you're going to do? Watch?' she taunted him. 'I believe I'll eat my dessert later tonight,' he said and had Kate smiling. "How about we take the dogs for a walk and work this off?" he suggested and started cleaning up with Kate's and Alexis's help.
Alexis was off running with the dogs while Kate was content to hang onto Rick's arm as they walked out into his little valley. "I wonder what Espo found," she mused. "He's dirty Kate, I can feel it." He reminded her of his opinion. "I hope not, because if he is, that means I'm investigating my boss," she commented. "Who has a homicide detective out driving a car, doing nothing? No one just wastes that kind of talent for no reason." He continued his argument.
"I'm not arguing Rick, I'm just stating that he is my boss. However you're right. I'm still surprised that he has me in a patrol car. Granted Weston County isn't the murder capital of the state and sitting in a car all day is a little hard to take. But there has to be something I could be doing that puts my skills to better use." She really wanted to see what Espo had sent her.
When they had returned to the house Rick opened up his laptop and handed it off to her. "See what he sent you. I'm going to give Alexis a bath and put her to bed then be down to help you," he said.
"Night Kate. Will you be here in the morning again?" Alexis asked innocently. Of course Alexis had noticed the other times she had spent the night here. Kate knelt down to hug her. "Good night sweetheart, and yes, I'll be here in the morning when you get up. I'll even make pancakes for you. How would that be?" she offered and got a hug in return.
Kate opened the file and the first thing she saw was a Word document titled "Read me first" so she opened it.
Hi Girlfriend, Kate saw at the top. "Of course Espo would tell Lanie, what was I thinking?" She rolled her eyes.
First things first. Who is Rick Rodgers and how well do you know him? I expect a phone call immediately after you receive this and I want details girl, every juicy bit. Just because you moved to Wyoming, don't think I won't fly out there and slap you. Someone needs to keep you on the right road.
Javi shared what you asked of him and you'll find what medical records I could find on your guy also. If the words get too big for you, you have a phone and know how to use it.
Now for the good news. Javi, Ryan and I put in for a few days off and when Montgomery approves them, we're flying out to see you. I'm told you really are out in the middle of nowhere and the closest airport is 1-1/2 hours away.
We'll send you our information including what motel we'll be staying at in your little town. I'm dying to meet this Rick of yours. Please honey, don't do something stupid and lose him. You deserve to be happy.
I'm bringing my camera!
Lanie
"I don't think I can do something stupid Lanie, he's my life mate," she said to herself. "GOD! How am I going to explain that?" she moaned and closed her letter. 'Just tell them you love him.' Her stupid voice that had actually be quiet for a while made its presence known.
Kate opened the phone records that Espo had managed to get, not wanting to know how he did that. She started using a highlighter app that was part of the file to highlight certain calls that seemed to be recurring.
She opened a new email and began writing questions for Espo to look into.
"He got his bank records?" She was shocked. However she soon realized that they were the bank records for the Weston County Sheriff's Office as a whole. "Where is the brand new Ford Explorer he's driving?" She talked to herself while searching.
She opened another file that told her where his residence was located. She used Google Maps to see it from a satellite view. Kate didn't think the house itself was anything. If anything it was actually smaller than hers.
Kate opened another file that listed his personal property. "Hm, he has a 1999 Winnebago motorhome, a 1995 20 foot Caravelle fish and skiing boat, two 1995 Yamaha Warrior 350 quads. …Hm what did you do back in 1995?" she wondered.
She opened file that turned out to be a complete history of every job he had ever had. "You made sheriff in 1995 and have been sheriff ever since. You were re-elected in 1999 after serving your first 4 year term, which puts you about half way into your second term," she said to herself.
She opened yet another file. "Interesting. This says your expected average pay should be a fraction over $100 grand, and yet you are married with 2 sons, one of whom is almost college age." That information had her back on Google again. "Undergraduate tuition for a Wyoming resident is $1,080 plus fees for one year. Not including housing, books, and other items. Doesn't sound that bad," Kate commented and opened another file.
"Airline tickets for four to Germany last year for a week's stay in a hotel in Munich. The year before it was a week in Ireland, and the year before that was a week in Paris. The year previous to the Paris trip was a week in Hawaii. Just where the hell did you get that kind of money?" she murmured.
"How's it coming? Find anything yet?" Rick asked and noticed that she was grinning.
