Gene took in every facet of the research laboratory in her sight. This is my environment—not negotiating numbers, sales, or dollars. Fighting banks to keep the dream alive has never crossed my mind. How did I come to this? I’ve lost not only my dreams but what my parents set up. I don’t understand how I’ve become such a failure. Walking over to Matriarch she looked at the bush that had spawned so many great derivatives to keep them at the top of the game. Being at the top of the game wasn’t enough though was it, you needed more than a great perfume. You needed investment.
“Gene.”
A voice that settled her tremulous emotions and thoughts. Gene sighed and turned to the visitor. “Dee.”
Dee walked to stand two feet from her and shrugged. That was a telltale sign that Dee wasn’t quite sure that what she was about to say would be welcomed. Little did she know that anything she said meant more to Gene than anything anyone else might say.
“I thought that you would want to know the result of the meeting.”
Gene shook her head. “I know the result…we are finished.” Dee gasped, and Gene saw a gray tinge invade her usually healthy complexion. “I’m sorry, Dee. Please tell me.”
“If we can raise $100,000 in ten days, we have the chance of a reprieve.”
Gene saw dark stars float in her vision and she figured fainting at this moment would be appropriate.
“Gene, with the help of the town I’m sure we can do this. I’ve already started—”
“Started what, Dee? What I gleaned from that bank woman is that I’ve mortgaged every damn thing I own. If the town helps me out, they won’t ever see a cent back. I don’t have any more assets. Unless I sell my body.” She threw up her arms. “Not going to get much for that.” She saw Dee turn away and thought it was probably in disgust.
“Are you saying you don’t want help?”.
The softly spoken words broke her heart. “I’m not going to let others be burnt by this fire. It ends now. It ends here.”
Dee gave her a hard stare. “What about the people who work for you, and Grady. We need you, Gene, it’s time to quit being a victim and take back what you own and make it work for us all.”
Gene curled her fingers into the palms of her hand. “You are right. I have nothing left, Dee…nothing.”
Dee shook her head and moved to the door. Then she said as she opened the door, “Then you are not the woman that I think you are. I have faith in you and Desrosiers and I’ll continue fighting to give us all a chance. Maybe you should think beyond yourself, Gene.”
She watched Dee angrily walk out of the lab. And wrapped her arms around her middle as tears traveled down her cheeks.
†
Quinn exited the Desrosiers building and was surprised to see Simone Baker still in the parking lot bent over the hood. Should she or shouldn’t she…ah, nothing ventured nothing gained.
“Hi, thought you’d have left by now. Car won’t work?”
“I’m sorry?” Simone frowned.
“Car.” She pointed to the vehicle. “Got a flat?”
“No, no. I was thinking.” Simone moved to stand up straight.
“Nothing wrong in that, and in your position quite understandable.” Quinn moved to stand beside the woman who was about three inches shorter than herself. Folding her arms across her chest, she said, “I have to admit that your concern is refreshing.”
“Refreshing? Isn’t that the last thing happening here?”
“True. I’d call it tragic. At least they have a sympathetic ear in a banker. I have to say that’s a novelty in my experience.”
Simone gave a brief smile. “Mine too. I don’t think they have a chance of salvaging Desrosiers, unless there is a huge injection of cash. Sutters is going to do that?”
Quinn heard a hopeful expectancy in the voice. “I can’t speak for my employers.” She watched a shadow cross the banker’s features. “Look, I don’t know what your business calendar is like, but would you like to have a drink with me? Ray’s bar is close by.”
“I can’t. I’m at work and we have a zero tolerance of alcohol.”
“Then have a soda. I, for the record, will have a beer. My employers expect me to do what is needed to fix a problem.” Quinn winked.
Simone hesitated then threw up her hands. “Ray’s bar it is then.”
“Can I ask for a lift, please?”
“Yes.” Simone laughed.
Quinn smiled, noting that the laughter lines on Simone’s face gave her a younger look. She figured the banker must be around her age, but then looks could be deceptive.
Quinn slid into the Audi’s passenger side and, within seconds, the engine roared to life and they headed out of the parking lot.
“Mind if I ask how long you’ve been in Grady?”
“Five years. I arrived shortly after the logging company quit the area. It was a challenge to say the least.”
“In what way?” Quinn noted the intensity in Simone’s voice.
“Lots of people out of work, mortgages unpaid, savings diminishing, you name it, Grady had it all.” She negotiated the left turn to the main street.
“Why stay then?”
“You get to know people better when the chips are down. I did the best I could for the ones who were willing to make things happen. The town is a lot smaller but, up until recently, I figured it was on the upturn. This just…well I’ll be looking for another branch in another town soon enough I guess.”
“You don’t think Desrosiers can come back from the brink?” Quinn frowned. “What I’ve experienced since I arrived here is that there is enough passion from the locals to go that extra mile. So much so that I’m going to do my damnedest to get my employers to stay onboard.”
The car stopped, and Simone turned, with an interested expression. “I guess you’ve been bitten by the bug called Grady. Care to elaborate on what you are going to do about that?”
Quinn chuckled. “I’d say a bug called Desrosiers. Yes, I’ll explain over a beer.”
They continued on.
†
Dee, tears brimming, watched from the upper floor of the mezzanine. She saw many items that stood unattended on the factory floor. Her dad had told the workforce to go home early…again. How on earth were they going to make product if the workers weren’t here? Gene was despondent and of no help whatsoever. Gene’s reaction to the situation hurt her more than she had ever been hurt before in her life. Maybe that Riggle woman was right and Christine and Gene had been involved. Her heart plummeted at the thought and she felt physically sick at the possibility. Christine Ager has a lot to answer for.
Footsteps drawing closer forced her mind back to the situation at hand.
“Hey, Dee, what brings you here?”
Dee wiped away the tears and forced a smile. “Hi, Larry. I do need a break from time to time. I had a meeting and needed some air before getting back to work.”
Larry Davis gave her a puzzled look. “The air is better with Matriarch then here and you know it. I saw Ms. Desrosiers earlier and she looked upset. I swear she was going to cry. Do you know what’s happening?”
Dee knew that Gene would never let anyone see her cry, she was way too stoic for that. Oh god maybe I was too judgmental.
“I’m a lab rat, Larry, just like you…they don’t tell me the important stuff. When did you see Ms. Desrosiers?”
“About two hours ago. I did see her heading to reception about five minutes ago though.” A buzzer sounded, and Larry shrugged. “Got to go, that’s my cue to check the next set of batch results. See you later, Dee.”
Dee muttered a goodbye and sucked in a deep breath. Then headed for reception.
†
When she arrived at reception, Dee saw Chloe talking intensely to Gene. So engrossed in the conversation they didn’t hear her enter, they both looked at her in surprise as she approached.
“Dee, we were…well.” Chloe grinned, and her cheeks glowed red.
Gene turned to her and gave that lopsided smile that always made her heart flutter.
“I was actually trying to find out where you were, Dee. Chloe mentioned that you and she were going out this evening.”
“Well yes, we are going for a catch-up drink after work.” Dee looked at them both. She could tell something wasn’t quite right since they looked guilty.
“Good, that’s good.” Gene sounded nervous. “I was, that is I—”
The door to reception opened and Dee saw Chloe’s surprised expression. When she heard a familiar pig-like sound, she turned to see Mrs. Riggle. With her was a much younger woman being virtually dragged through the entrance.
“I’m going to see this Desrosiers woman now and no lackey is going to stop me.”
Dee winced at the vehemence of the words. She was about to step forward when Gene took center stage.
“Can I help you? I’m the Desrosiers woman, I believe.”
Dee wanted to applaud her boss as Mrs. Riggle came within inches of Gene’s personal space. It was something she knew was a no-go generally, but Gene held her place.
Mrs. Riggle gave Gene an up and down look then shouted, “That Ager woman give me this address. I bet your lackey there didn’t tell you I’ve been here before, did she?” She pointed to Dee. “My Milly deserves what’s been promised.”
The room went silent for a few moments then Gene spoke directly to Milly.
“What exactly did Ms. Ager promise you, Milly?” The words were gently spoken.
Milly shuffled on the spot. Then raised beautiful glacial blue eyes up to Gene and smiled. “She said she would take care of me.”
“That means marriage,” Mrs. Riggle interceded.
Gene ignored the older woman and walked closer to Milly, reached out her hand, and touched Milly’s shoulder. “Did Christine mention marriage?”
“No. She said she cared about me and while she was here, she would take care of me.”
Gene nodded. “Did she do that while she was here…take care of you that is?”
“Yes,” Milly said, furtively glancing at her mother. “I knew she’d be leaving though.”
“Stupid child, don’t say that!”
“Why did you think that, Milly?”
“Because the last time we were together she said there was no future here for her.” Milly looked at her mother. “I loved her, Mom, she was nice to me. Better than you and dad ever have been.” Milly then rushed out of the building.
There was the pig snort in triplicate and Dee watched as Gene turned to the mother.
“Your daughter is a victim, Mrs. Riggle, of loving the wrong person. It happens. I think she needs guidance at this time, help from someone who loves her.” Gene drew back a couple of feet.
Dee saw a relived expression cross Gene’s face as she did so.
“Stupid child. How do I tell my husband she’s not fit for his mates to court? When I tell him the truth, he’ll teach her who she needs to sleep with and it isn’t no woman.” She then rushed out of the building too.
Dee wasn’t sure who was more shocked at those words, her, Chloe, or Gene. For sure they probably all looked aghast.
“What will happen to Milly?” Gene quietly asked.
Dee saw compassion and worry fill Gene’s face. She walked over and touched her arm. “It isn’t your problem, Gene.”
“How can it not be my problem? That poor girl is going to be abused…her mother admitted as much.” Gene turned her gaze directly at Dee, and it hurt, the sympathy generated hurt.
“I think it’s good riddance to trailer trash,” Chloe said. The shrill sound of the phone distracted her, and she moved to answer it.
Dee saw Gene’s angry expression and continued to hold onto her arm.
“How about we go back to work and we can think about how we can help Milly.”
“Yes. Work while we can,” Gene muttered. She abruptly pulled away from Dee’s hold on her arm and left the reception area.
Moments later Chloe spoke. “Sorry I messed up there. But they really are trailer trash, at least that mother is. I kind of feel sorry for Milly but you can’t save everyone.”
“Chloe, do you know any people or groups that might be able to help Milly? I think she’s at risk now. If you don’t know can you find where she lives?”
“I’m not in that circle, Dee. Wouldn’t have an idea. Isn’t your aunt part of that crowd?”
Dee exhaled a deep breath. Chloe’s words sounded demeaning but in essence she was speaking the truth. Chloe and the LGBT community were not likely to mix.
“Yes, she is. Chloe, can we table tonight for another time? I need to speak to some people as soon as possible.”
“Sure. It’s been an interesting day hasn’t it? My David knows the Riggles. I’ll ask him where they live.”
Reaching over the desk, Dee hugged Chloe. “You are the best.”