“Of course not. But we can’t really compare the Pikes to the Murphys. The Pikes have lost a whole season of income, plus more because they’ll have to purchase grapes for future seasons until their vines are producing again. The Murphy’s’ll lose three days of income. Tops.”
“Yeah, but three days might be a lot for them. How much can you make from a bar in a small town?”
“Look it up.”
“Huh?”
“You have the world at your fingertips, Don. Look it up. Access their tax payments to the state. That’ll show their income.”
“Fuck,” I say slowly.
“Yeah, it’s a huge invasion of privacy,” Dale says. “I get it. But think of the bigger picture here.”
My brother is right. Neither he nor I like this plan, but unless we can come up with something better, we must do what’s necessary to protect our family.
I sigh. “Got it. I’ll do what has to be done. What if I find out they’ll suffer if they’re closed for a couple days?”
“Then we’ll make sure they don’t suffer.”
“Yeah. I suppose it won’t be the first time the Steels take care of the town.”
“No, it won’t be. I’ve got nothing against the Murphys, but we have to find out what’s out there. If we don’t, it could bite our family in the ass in the future. Do you want to leave that for our kids to deal with?”
“Kids?” I drop my mouth open. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He chuckles. “No. We’re not pregnant. Ashley wants to finish her doctorate first. But we will have kids, and so will you, Don. So will Diana and Brianna. Do you want to leave this mess to them?”
“No,” I say. “It’s bad enough that it’s been left to us. Why would Mom and Dad do this?”
“For our protection,” Dale says, “but Mom and Dad aren’t the ones who should take the blame for all this.”
“I know. Grandpa. Brad Steel.”
“Right. I’m not convinced Mom and Dad and the rest of them even know the extent of what we might find. Otherwise, I know for damned sure they wouldn’t have left it for us to find.”
“Yeah. Okay, Dale. I’ll start some research. I’ll let you know what I find. What I’m able to accomplish.”
“Thanks. I’ve got my phone’s ringer set to the loudest setting, so if you call, I’ll hear it.”
“Got it. Talk later.”
No longer frozen, I fire up the computer and set up my accounts with the information Alyssa gave me.
First things first. I need to know what damage I’ll potentially be doing. Time to research the information on Murphy’s Bar.
I sift through databases and documents and find Murphy’s does a darned good business. Of course, it is the only bar in Snow Creek, though some of the restaurants also serve liquor. However, the income from the bar has to support Brendan and his parents, who’ve retired, and his aunt and her daughter. If all their business and residential mortgages are paid, the earnings from the bar will suffice. Still, I need to know more. What salary does Brendan take? What does he pay the other employees?
Shit.
The deeper I dive, the deeper I must go.
I hate this. I truly hate this.
But I’m all in now.
Chapter Forty-Two
Callie
“Second time in a day!” Ava gushes when I walk into the bakery.
It’s noon, and the place is packed with lunch diners. Ava waves me over to her to bypass the line. I feel a little awkward.
“Here’s Donny’s sandwich.” She hands me a white paper bag.
“What do I owe you?”
“Jade’s office has an account for her lunches. I put it on that.”
I nod. “Great. Thanks.”
“Anything for you?”
I wave my brown paper bag at her. “Brought my own today.”
She laughs. “All right. Enjoy!”
I leave the bakery and head to the park. Donny is supposed to meet me here for lunch. I find a bench and sit. It’s a lovely October day, sixty-two degrees and sunny. We get over three hundred days of sunshine a year in Colorado. That alone puts a smile on my face today.
Alyssa kept me fairly busy my first morning, but it didn’t escape my notice that Donny stayed behind his closed door for two hours. I knocked a few minutes ago, told him I’d pick up his sandwich and that I’d be in the park. He nodded and smiled.
Now, though, as I sit here alone… Is he coming?
I can’t help myself. I pull his sandwich out of the bakery bag. It’s twice the size of mine and smells heavenly. If he doesn’t get here soon, I may have to take a bite.
For now, I munch on the sandwich I prepared myself before work this morning. Deli turkey breast and avocado on rye. One of my favorite combos, but all I can think of is the delicacy Ava prepared for Donny.
I finish my sandwich, take a sip of my Diet Coke, and then stare at the white bag again.