Grave Secrets (Manhunters 1)

“I’ve done my research. Bishop Mining is hardly a mom-and-pop establishment. Your gross annual revenue rivals that of mines three times your size. I’m qualified for several positions—team leader, mine foreman, project manager.” She paused. “But I’m particularly interested in a position as safety officer.”

“Safety officer,” Bishop echoed, tipping his head. “Why?”

“Because you need one.”

“We have one,” he countered with challenge in his gaze.

“You need a new one.”

He crossed his arms and held her gaze as thoughts churned through his dark eyes. The man had a menacing expression when he was serious. She could see how others would be easily intimidated by him, but Everly would have paid to be given the green light to fight him for the bracelet right then.

“How do you figure?” he asked.

“The mining world isn’t all that big. And when you’ve been in it for as long as I have, traveling as I have, you get to know a lot of people. People who move around and climb the ranks. I happen to have an acquaintance who works for the Department of Labor in Mine Safety and Health Administration. He’s told me that your latest death here, on top of the high number of severe machinery-related accidents over the last two years, has them looking at you for a serious investigation of safety practices.”

That perked him up. “We haven’t had a death—”

“It’s all over town, boss. Someone named Mason?”

“He didn’t die in a mining accident.” Bishop’s voice rose as he sat forward. “He was somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be, on his own time, doing God knows what—”

“He was an employee of Bishop Mines. And his body was found in one of your tunnels. That makes his death one for the MSHA books.”

Bishop dropped back in his chair, gaze sharp, mouth tight. “I haven’t heard from MSHA.”

“You will. Soon,” she told him. “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But I really am here to help. One of my brothers died in a mine accident. A stupid accident that could have been prevented with minor precautions, which led me to become an expert in mining safety. Hiring me on as your safety manager would go a long way toward mollifying MSHA. Just like most government agencies, they’re short staffed and overworked. I could make a call to my guy, let him know I’m on the job, persuade him to give me some time to get our ducks in a row. I could keep MSHA off your back and save you money at the same time.”

“Save me money how?” He was definitely listening now. Looking at her as an information source rather than a sex object.

“Every dollar spent in prevention saves you three to six dollars in avoidance. And for every dollar you can see spent on injuries and illness, there’s another five to fifty dollars in costs you don’t see. By taking me on as your safety officer and letting me work my magic, I can save you money on both the visible and hidden costs associated with injuries—from workers’ compensation and insurance to equipment damage and legal fees. And that doesn’t account for the invisible benefits gained by providing the safest work environment possible like employee morale, longevity, and retention.”

He threaded his fingers over his lap and regarded her with both awe and suspicion. “You talk a good game, little girl.”

She smiled, purposely ignoring the nickname many women would have considered a slight. Everly was sure that had been purposeful on Bishop’s part, checking to see if she’d rise to the bait.

“No, sir, I play a good game. In my last position as the safety officer at Prescott Mining in British Columbia, I brought home the Canadian Top Performer award for a combination of the highest productivity rate and the best safety rating. I’m proud to say that Prescott went from one of the worst safety offenders to maintaining a zero-incident accident rating for the last fifteen months in a row.”

His eyes had narrowed. “That’s impressive. So impressive, it’s almost unbelievable.”

It was, in fact, beyond unbelievable—it was untrue, at least the part about Everly having anything to do with that success. But with Manhunters spliced into Prescott Mining’s switchboard, she knew she’d have the references to back up he

r lies.

“Please call my former boss for confirmation,” she suggested. “But don’t be surprised if you’re stuck on the phone while he negotiates to get me back.”

“Why leave such a successful job?”

“I’ve put them on the right path and trained my replacement to keep them there. I’m ready for a new challenge.”

Bishop rested his elbows on the arms of his chair, clasped his hands, and ran his thumb across his bottom lip. “Your offer is tempting.”

“But?”

“But my current safety manager is a lifelong friend. We grew up together, worked my family’s mines together, much the way you did with your father and brothers.”

“Loyalty. I respect that.” She paused, then threw in the wrench. “But loyalty won’t get MSHA off your back.”

“What if I hired you to train him to attain your level of success in the realm of safety?”