“Looked like one.”
“Nah. Just a pep talk, y’know? Between you and me…” He leans forward against his desk. “Some of the sad folk around here get a bit weepy about Valentine’s Day. Being unattractive and alone is a big problem for these people. So I throw them a bone. Bury them in work and they don’t have time to be sad!”
I can’t tell if he genuinely believes that or if he’s just talking out of his ass. Either way, I don’t believe it for a second. Still, tokeep things light, I offer a dry laugh that he then reacts to with a bigger laugh of his own.
“You know what I’m talking about.” He grins. “The little people get too caught up in their shitty lives, so it’s my job to make sure they don’t have space or time to think about anything other than doing a great job. And it shows, doesn’t it? Else you wouldn’t be here.”
“You know why I’m here,” I reply coolly. “The subscription service.”
Jimmy’s face falls. “Aye, that shit. Confuses me why you even care. Maybe you haven’t spent enough time at our stores.”
“I’m always happy for a tour.”
Jimmy snaps his fingers. “I’ll get on that!”
“Actually…” I lean forward before he can pick up the phone on his desk. “As part of my inspection of stock quality and safety, I had a quick question.”
Jimmy abandons his reach for the phone. “Shoot.”
“Are the stores responsible for ordering their own stock?”
“No. Orders are in house, right here.” He taps his desk with two fingers.
“Is that the same for stock that goes to the warehouse?”
“Mmhmm.” His eyes narrow. “Why?”
“Does it get complicated, having stock here and stock at the warehouse?”
“Sometimes. I’ve told that woman, Cal, time and time again that having stock here is a waste of time, but she never listens.” He rolls his eyes. “Women, eh?”
“I thought having stock here was your idea.”
“Me? Who the hell told you that?”
The sudden flash of anger in his eyes has me swallowing that question quickly. “Never mind. Among your employees, is there anyone who handles all the stock? Even if it’s just momentarily, is there anyone who handles stock hereandat the warehouseandthe stores?” Given what Buster’s found, someone capable of buying and stealing stock would never have easy access to all routes.
Jimmy frowns and I can almost see the cogs turning behind his eyes. “I’m not sure. I don’t think so—” He cuts himself off suddenly and smirks. “No, wait, there is someone.”
“Who?”
“Cal. She’s got her finger in every pie we have.”
18
CALLIOPE
Valentine’s Day.
The thought makes my eyes roll so far back in my head. The only decent thing to come out of February is Nick’s birthday, and that’s where all my focus will be when I’m not here up to my eyeballs in orders. I’ve only just sat back down at my desk when my office door flies open and Jane, one of my temp staff, sticks her head around the door.
“Are you busy?”
My hands hover over the keyboard. “I’m about to be, what’s up?”
“Frankie had to go home. She was throwing up everywhere, and we just got a delivery of piercings and rings from Anderson’s. I have to check through them all, but I’m only on half a day today and I can’t stay late because I have to pick up Xavier from his soccer game.”
“Shit.”
