Page 21 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“Yep. He hid in the shadows, lurking like some stalker. When he just stood there smoking a cigarette, I turned to go back to the mill, but when I heard the roar of that sports car returning, I hesitated.”

“What happened?”

“Charlie waited while the guy walked the girl up to the door and kissed her goodnight.”

Bubba chuckles. “So, the boss’s daughter had a date, huh?”

“I don’t give a damn about that,” I protest.

Bubba isn’t fooled. “Sure, ya don’t.”

“Look, when the dude returned to his car, he paused and lit a cigarette, like he was killing time. I started to wonder if the girl was coming back out, but then Charlie emerged from the shadows and approached the car.”

“And?”

“I was too far to hear them, but it looked like the guy passed Charlie an envelope—a thick envelope, like maybe it had a stack of bills inside.”

Bubba cocks his head. “You think Charlie’s being paid to do something?”

“Yeah. But what?”

“Hell, I don’t know. Look, Sherlock, keep your head down and do your work. You get involved in whatever Charlie is up to, and it’s gonna go bad. He already tried to set you up for theft, didn’t he?”

He’s right. It’s none of my goddamn business.

“Ah, hell,” Bubba mumbles and tugs his work gloves off, flinging them on the ground.

“What?”

“Now you’ve got me wondering what the hell is goin’ on. Now I ain’t gonna be able to get it off my mind until I know what it is.”

I grin, knowing he won’t let it rest. “Got any ideas, Watson?”

He points a finger at me. “You’re too smart for your own damn good. You’re gonna get us both fired.”

“So, what do we do?”

“Keep your eyes and ears open.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of snooping around his office. Try and find that envelope.”

Bubba’s eyes pin mine, and he lifts his arms wide. “He already accused you of stealing.”

“Right. That’s why you’ve gotta do it.”

“Me? You son-of-a-bitch. Why should I put my neck on the line?”

“Because you want to know what the fuck is going on as much as I do.”

Bubba stares in the direction of the office. “Fine. Then we both do it.”

“Tonight?”

“No. First let me talk to Cora Lee.”

“Who is Cora Lee?”

“The woman in the office. Hell, she processes your paychecks, boy.”

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