Page 130 of Small Town Firsts
In the long run, these actions were to cover our asses, not because we had to be mistrustful of everyone.
I did a walkthrough of the entire taproom after the cleaning crew finished up and met Matt and Annette at the front door with two swipe cards.
“Here you go. Keep these on you at all times. It’s for swiping in for work from now on and for your time cards.”
Annette frowned. “Oh, wow. I didn’t realize we were doing these.”
“Yeah, we have them for the registers anyway. That’s how you’ll swipe in and out for the day. But now there’s no open access for the back door to the dumpsters. You’ll need your card to swipe in and out.”
Her eyebrows went up. She glanced at Matt who took his and stuffed it in his pocket. “Guess it’s getting really real now, huh?”
“I guess,” Matt mumbled.
“I wanted to ask you if you’d seen anything odd in the last few weeks? Anyone in the storeroom that shouldn’t be there?”
Annette blinked at me. “What do you mean? Like…taking stuff?”
I knew Kira trusted Annette. She’d been with her from the start and had known her the longest. I hedged my bets and nodded. “We’re missing some cases of cider. We think wemanaged to save a case of moonshine today. Found it where it shouldn’t be.” I didn’t want to give specifics.
“No. I can’t think of anyone. We’ve all been working hard to make sure everything is ready for the party and for the opening.”
I gently patted her arm. “It’s okay. I’m just asking. If you see anything, let us know, okay?”
“Absolutely. There’s nothing worse than a thief. I can’t imagine anyone who would betray Kira and Beckett—and you, of course.”
I smiled at her. “Of course.”
“Not after all the hard work we’ve all done.”
“We’re hoping it’s just a mistake, but we have to take precautions.”
“Yeah, of course.”
I glanced at Matt, who was quiet. “Did you see anything?”
He shook his head. “I just come in and do my work, man. I gotta go, Annette. You good?”
She frowned. “I thought we were going to dinner.”
“Yeah, maybe next time. I’m tired.”
“Okay.” She frowned as Matt swiped his card at the door, then pushed it open and hustled down the stairs. “This sucks.”
“I know. We don’t want to think about anyone stealing.”
“Are you sure someone did?” Her dark eyes were shiny as she looked up at me.
“We’re pretty sure. And you can’t think of anyone?”
“I mean, Janice and Sherry are kind of annoying, but they’d probably backstab you before they’d steal a case of brew.”
“Good to know.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. “Do we need to talk to them?”
She snorted. “I can deal with a few girls with more looks than brains any day.”
“I’m sure you can.”
She paused at the door, then swiped her card. “This really sucks.”
