“He doesn’t do much,” Jared said, snickering. “Just walks around watching everyone to make sure they do what he’s told he has to tell us.”
Jared laughed and walked away after saying that. Rocco flushed.
“Hey,” she said. “Middle management is the hardest thing. Especially if Kane is your boss, I’m sure.”
Might as well fish for a second.
“Kane is only going to get worse the more power and authority he gets,” Rocco mumbled. “We all know it.”
“Why stay?”
“I’ve worked here my whole life,” Rocco said, shrugging. “My mother worked for Daniel before she retired. I don’t know much more and it’s not like there are a lot of project manager positions around these parts. When my mom leaves, I’ll go with her, but she likes it here.”
“That’s nice you’re staying for your mom, even if it means dealing with Kane.”
“He’s not so bad,” Rocco said. “As long as he gets his way.”
Rocco walked away from her and she took a deep breath, climbed into her car to sit and make the call. No way she was letting anyone know what she was going to say.
Ford was the first call. “What’s going on, Gale? You should have texted you were leaving for work by now.”
“Yeah, well. I would have done that but forgot my phone, ran back into the condo to get it and when I came out was stopped because my car is leaking something. I’d moved it and pulled back in.”
“I’ll come check it out. I hope it’s nothing.”
“Oh, it’s brake fluid,” she said sarcastically. “Couple of guys working noticed it and came over to tell me. I didn’t want to call until I was away from them.”
“Motherfucker,” Ford snarled. “I’m on my way. I’m calling Clay. Stay there if there are people around. It’s safer that way.”
“I’m fine,” she said. “There are people walking outside and no one is stupid enough to do anything in broad daylight.”
“You keep telling yourself that, but they obviously got ballsy enough to do it last night.”
“Don’t remind me,” she said, hanging up.
The next call was to Rory. She had to tell him.
“Oh, I get a call rather than a text?” he asked. “Or are you just checking to see if I’m okay?”
“I’m sure you’re fine,” she said. “Your voice sounds stronger too.”
“But yours doesn’t. What happened, Gale?”
“My car is leaking brake fluid. Thankfully, when I moved it to run back inside to get my phone, the worker outside noticed it and stopped me. Ford is calling Clay and they are coming down.”
“I want to be with them.”
“No, don’t. I played dumb because I can’t trust anyone right now. This was a message loud and clear. I never go anywhere other than around town. If I lost my brakes, I’d get into a wreck but nothing like you.”
“You go to your parents and the speed limit is faster on windy roads. Don’t fool yourself, Gale. Don’t let your guard down.”
“I’m not letting it down. Rene told me I was next.”
“What?” Rory asked. “You talked to my sister?”
She leaned back in the car and shut her eyes. “You’re the only one I can say this to.”
“Tell me everything she said to you. Leave nothing out.”
