“I’ve got a list of everyone who touched the last bid. I sent it to you a couple of minutes ago along with my notes on each. It’s hard for me to believe anyone who works for us would actively harm the company, but we should look into them. Have you thought about putting additional security around the next one?” Louis asked. “We’ve gotten lax in the last couple of years because there was no need to hide what we were doing.”
“I’ll read that report as soon as possible.” He had to keep Louis close. “Maybe we can go over it this afternoon.”
Louis nodded. “Of course. I take it that’s why you had Jane do inventory. Did you search her computer?”
Again, the man knew him well. Of course, Louis had taught him as much as his father had. “I did it when everyone went to lunch. She seems clean. I can’t ask to look at her phone. If she’s got half a brain, she wouldn’t communicate with him over company property. I don’t honestly think it’s her. She’s nervous enough about answering the phone, much less spying.”
“That would be a good cover for a spy, wouldn’t it?” Louis mused. “To look completely incompetent. I heard she did well in college.”
“You can do well in a classroom setting and struggle in the real world.” Still, it was something to think about. “I’ll look over her résumé again.”
And he would watch her more carefully.
“Are you delivering the Lowestone bid personally?” Louis asked. “I can do it if you like. I know it’s due tomorrow, and you might want some extra time with Sylvie.”
They used the tried-and-true method of sealed bids for local companies. “I can drop it off this afternoon. Maybe we’ll get points for giving them the personal touch.”
“You’re really worried.”
Rene shrugged. “Shouldn’t I be? Charles is playing hardball, and if I lose, it’s all gone. The house. The company.”
Louis settled back. “Have you ever wondered if that would be so bad? Have you ever wondered if this might be the way out of the cage? That’s what you called it when you were in college. I understand that you had to keep things going for the family, but if the family doesn’t want it, why are you trying so hard? You wouldn’t lose the money. It belongs to your mother, not the company.”
He’d never thought about it. He’d never had a choice if he wanted to honor his father’s will. “I would lose the only job I ever had.”
“And then maybe you could do what you really want to do.”
He had no idea what he would do. He liked the actual work he did. He’d trained for this job. Even as a child he’d come to the office with his father. He’d worked every summer during his teen years right here, learning the business from the ground up. What would he do if he hadn’t had his whole future planned for him?
“I think I’m fine right where I am. I’m doing exactly what I promised I would do,” he replied.
Louis stood and smoothed down his jacket with a graceful hand. “I was only trying to point out that maybe your father never should have made you make that promise. We’ll figure out who’s sending our bids to Charles. I guarantee it.”
Rene wished he could believe him but his mind was racing again as Louis opened the door and walked out. It was almost a relief that his outer office held yet another visitor.
Zep Guidry stood in front of Jane’s desk, looking around like he wasn’t sure he should be there. Zep was Remy’s younger brother and had recently taken on the job of building the parish’s animal services department from the ground up.
He looked like he was taking it seriously since he held a small dog in his arms.
“Hey, Rene. I was hoping I could talk to you.”
Louis greeted Zep and the dog before walking toward his office.
“What did you need?” The dog was a small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with brown and white fur and big sad doggie eyes. “I just talked to your brother.”
“Yeah, I did, too, and he was the one who suggested I come to you,” Zep replied, striding into his office. “This little thing was turned over by a breeder. She’s the runt of the litter, and that asshole isn’t willing to get her the meds she needs. She’s got a heart issue, which is why he can’t find anyone to take her. I was hoping I could get you to sponsor her.” Zep held the dog up. “Look at how fancy I am. Don’t you want to save my life, Mr. Moneybags?”
“You asked Remy for the cash and he sent you to me?” He was amused by the thought. And the dog was sad and sweet. He held out his hands and took the puppy.