Dance or Die (White Oak - Mafia Series Book 3) (18 page)

Steel glared at her. “I was going to get them from UCLA. However, upon seeing your plan, they don’t want to touch this fiasco with a ten-foot pole.”

“Why would you have shared my plan with the archeology department?”

“I didn’t. One of the guys I interviewed to replace you shared it with Archeology.”

“In the future, you are not allowed to share our plan with anyone except Tom.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” he grumbled.

“Maybe we should pull students from the Iowa universities. That would make the governor happy.”

“Iowa? I need quality students.”

“Well, evidently ‘quality colleges’ don’t want to send you their students. So once you finish your lunch, start making inquiries at Iowa universities and get yourself a staff. Otherwise, I must assume, you’ve given up on your career and those amazing mounds. In which case, I’ll have to replace you.”

“Forget lunch,” he snapped and headed to the back door.

“Steel. I’ve given you a clear and firm order. If you walk out that door, you’re fired.”

He turned and glared at her. “I’m going to work at the site.”

“You can’t do anything by yourself! You need people. Now get on the web, or call Tom. But I want a staff of workers here by the end of this week. Otherwise, I have to conclude you are mentally incapable of being an archeologist anymore.”

“What the hell do you know about being an archeologist?”

“Nothing. But I sure can tell when someone isn’t being one. So take the reins or get off the horse.”

She slammed his sandwich on the counter. “And eat. Maybe it will help your brain function better.” She then stormed out of the house.

Arriving at the secured hill made Tess smile. The platform now had an extension out the backside, which, someday, would hold a suspension bridge. The men were securing the heavy, clear plastic windows that would keep children and adults from going over the sides of the platform either accidentally or intentionally. At one time, they had planned bulletproof glass, but with Benito gone, it now seemed overkill.

Malcolm’s whistle got her attention. He stood on top of the mound’s path, waving her up.

She feared Steel had done something destructive in the short time he’d been at the site. If there were any damage, which he probably planned to blame on the crew, he’d be gone. The truth was, she didn’t trust him anymore, not even to be a good archeologist. Steel was broken.

She ran up the trail full speed and was out of breath when she arrived. “What’s wrong?” She bent over, catching her breath

Malcolm patted her back. “Nothing. But Dan wanted to talk to you and this is the only place my cell gets reception.”

Relieved, she rewarded Malcolm with a smile and answered the phone. “What’s up?”

“Just got off with the guy that everyone says is the best for building safe, reliable suspension bridges. I’ve been calling every place that has a bridge in the country, and this guy has done about half of them…the half who are happy with their bridges.”

“Great. Does he want to come see where we are putting it?”

“He does. I have tentatively scheduled him to come tomorrow morning to meet you. Is that okay?”

The gravel was coming tomorrow, but her crew would watch over them. “That’ll work.”

“Excellent.”

“Where’s he located?”

“Montana. When I first told him we were in Iowa, he paused and asked me if I realized a tree bridge looked better with real trees in close proximity.”

Tess laughed. “I like this guy already. What’s his name?”

“Silas Mariner.”

“As in George Eliot’s novel?”

“That’s why he sounded so familiar. I had to read that book in high school. Only, he’s got an ‘i’ in his last name. Like that saved him from teasing as a kid, I’m sure.”

“Do I need to pick him up at the airport?”

“Nope, that’s my job. I found him. I get to pick him up.”

“God, I love my staff.”

“Yeah, except for one, we’re pretty damn impressive. And even that one you seem to have motivated. He’s on the landline charming the hell out of someone.”

“Any chance it’s related to getting students?”

“I think so. They even appear to be Iowa students.”

“Thank you for making this a great day,” she said before hanging up.

She then yelled at her crew. “You guys are fabulous! Thanks for making this such a great day.”

They took a moment to high five one another and declare their undying love for the best boss ever.

That evening when Tess began work on her plan, Steel and Dan joined her at the table.

Dan had a printed stack of detail on the bridges. Steel had twenty interviews lined up.

“Okay if I have them here?” Steel asked. “That way, if one of them impresses me, I’ll take them to the site.”

She rewarded him with a smile. “Absolutely.”

“Great. Then have Dan get out of my room, and we’ll be good.”

Both men were angry now. Clearly, they had already had words on this. “That’s Dan’s room now. There are three extra beds in the cabin upstairs. No bathroom, however. So you’ll need to come down here. You can use my bathroom.”

“He can use mine,” Dan stated.

She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” he said.

“You promised to try and make this work.” Steel’s words were soft, but she could hear the anger beneath them. “You’ve four bedrooms.”

“Which are all filled. The grounds crew has the other two rooms.”

He rubbed his temples. “So your grounds crew gets preference over my people?”

Most of her crew were watching TV right beside them. Several glanced their way. Malcolm rose and approached. “Okay if I join this conversation?”

“No!” Steel snapped.

“You are welcome to join if you want, but I can assure you that my fabulous grounds crew is not leaving
my
house.” She then looked at Steel. “Both roads are in fine condition now. Either have your people rent a house somewhere in La Motte or you can rent a trailer and park it up in the driveway. I’m sure they’ll be able to run water and electricity to it.”

“A trailer,” he stated. “While these mafia thugs live in luxury?”

“Enough!” she yelled. “This is my house and I have the only say on who lives here. Now the offer of you staying in the cabin or placing a trailer outside is withdrawn. And another word disparaging my superb crew and you’re fired.”

“So every time I say something you don’t like, you’re going to threaten to fire me.”

She stood and leaned over the table. “No, this will not be a regular occurrence. The next time you piss me off, you’re fired. Consider yourself on probation. I thought you were making progress, but if you cannot be civil to me and my employees, then I’ll find someone who can. Capisce?” She purposely used the Italian word for ‘understand’ because he’d called her crew Mafia thugs.

“You have my apology,” he stated. “However, I have a problem. I promised the students room and board.”

“Then find them a house and provide what you promised.”

“What if they don’t have cars?” he asked softly.

“I’m sure someone will. Let them carpool.”

“Tess, please work with me on this?” he said softly.

She sighed heavily. “I’ll talk to Mr. Mason. He lives a little ways down the road. He might be willing to sell his house to you.”

“I don’t want to buy a house,” Steel stated.

“You’re the one who promised them room and board. You can ask Mr. Mason to rent it to you, but honestly, I don’t think he will, especially if he discovers his renters are college kids.” 

Steel was shaking his head.

“I’ve wasted enough time on this. If you don’t like my solutions, come up with your own. This is not a state park problem, and do not expect the park to pay for it.”

Steel pushed back and stared at the ceiling as if she were being the unreasonable one.

“Just to be clear. You are no longer invited to stay here. You’re not nice enough to be around me and my crew after working hours. So you will need to find room and board elsewhere, including tonight.”

His face went blotchy red and white, emphasizing the damage her father had done. Guilt threatened to overwhelm her.

“Steel,” she said softly. “It’s better if you’re not here. You’re still angry. Except when necessary, we need to stay far away from one another. Otherwise, I’m going to end up firing you.”

He breathed in and nodded in agreement. “Does that mean I can’t interview them from here?” he asked.

“That, you can do. We’ll be out by six in the morning. When do you plan to arrive tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure.”

Man, he just didn’t make anything easy. “Don’t arrive before six and when you do arrive, you’ll need to come down so I can send someone up to let you in.”

Dan raised his hand.

She smiled at him. “Are you volunteering?”

“Not really. However, I’ll remain up here until I have to pick up the suspension bridge guy at nine. After that, he’ll have to walk down as you suggested.”

“Suspension bridge?” Steel challenged.

Tess had no doubt he’d object to this as well. “Yes. We’ve decided the most secure and fun way to get people to the observation platform is by going up a circular ramp around a tree to a suspension bridge that crosses over the fence and goes directly to the platform. Thus, no one will ever step foot on the secured grounds.”

She expected him to object, but after a long pause, he said, “If you insist upon a platform, I much prefer that solution to the ones that have been giving me nightmares at night.” His brow furrowed. “Does Tom know this?”

“Not yet. The guy is coming out tomorrow and once I understand what he can do, the costs, and the timeline, if it proves to be feasible, I will present it to Tom.” She didn’t like the faint smile that appeared on his face. “And if he hears about this from anyone but me, you’re fired.”

“That’s getting old.”

“I agree. You were right when you said you have to trust the people you work with. And the truth is that I don’t trust you. That has to change, or your employment is doomed. I’m willing to try and regain my trust in you, but you have to show me the old Steel.” She then whispered, “I need him back and so do you.”

“Is that all? Can I leave now?”

“No. We need to revise your plan. Are you still planning to do everything you intended before in the time you allotted?”

His fingers tapped rapidly on the tabletop. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Is that a yes?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Then I can just push out your current plan and begin it starting from next week, once you have sufficient people to resume the scanning?”

“I have no idea if any of these people can use the scanning equipment.”

“It’s your job to find someone.”

“It’s not like finding grounds crewmen,” he snapped.

“If they are so hard to find, why did you send away a competent and experienced person?”

“Because I didn’t trust him!”

“That’s your personal problem; don’t bring it to work. You fired perfectly competent staff members for personal reasons that had nothing to do with their job performance. If you are telling me you did that without being able to replace him, then the failure lies solely on your shoulders.” She stopped the lecture because she was pretty sure the only ones listening to her were her grounds crew.

“So. I’m moving out your schedule so it’s starting next Monday. That means you need to have on your staff all critical competencies needed to fulfill your plan. If you fail to do that, then I will begin interviewing for someone who actually wants to be the head archeologist. Simple as that.” She stood up. “You can go now.”

“You aren’t going to offer me dinner?” he challenged.

“Have dinner with someone you like.” She looked at Malcolm, who had never left the table. “Can you show Steel out?”

“With pleasure,” he stated and stood.

Steel stormed through the hall to the upstairs with Malcolm right behind him.

The moment the door closed, her grounds crew stood up and applauded, then gathered around to hug her. Dan escaped the mob and started their dinner.

Truly not trusting Steel, Tess went to her room and called Tom. “If Steel tells you about things I’m thinking of doing, but yet don’t have all my ducks in a row to make a final decision, will you let me know?”

“Would you be talking about a suspension bridge?”

“He told you?” she yelled.

“Calm down. Steel has not told me about this idea. Sean mentioned it.”

She sighed heavily. “I’ll have the facts tomorrow. Then I’ll decide if it is a feasible plan, and if it is, then I’ll give you a full presentation including sufficient data for us to make a rational decision.”

He chuckled. “I expected nothing less.”

“Well, I expected better of Sean,” she grumbled.

“He did make it sound like you’d already decided to do it and he felt it his duty to give me a heads up.”

“I don’t have the facts yet. How could I have possibly made a decision?”

“Which is why I didn’t call you up and tell you the insurance will shoot through the roof, which is what Sean observed. I am waiting patiently for the facts, confident no bridge will be built without a plan approved not just by me, but the governor.”

She calmed. “You’re a wonderful boss.”

“And you are my prized forest manager. So tell me how did you and Steel get along today?”

She sighed heavily. “I’m trying to give him a chance. I owe him that much.”

“You don’t owe him a damn thing.”

“I owe him a chance to prove that he can still do his job, that he can put those mounds above his personal feelings. If he can’t, then I’ll need to replace him. That site deserves no less.”

“I agree. I spoke to him today, and I’m sorry to say, I saw no inclination on his part to do his job.”

“We had a talk after yours. I told him to start hiring people because he can’t do anything on his own.” She decided not to go through all his whining. “He now has twenty people to interview, all students from Iowa universities.”

“The governor will love that.”

“Don’t mention it until Steel actually hires them. He evidently showed my plan to guys he wanted to hire in my place and they showed it to other people, who showed it to the UCLA archeology department and they want nothing to do with the site now.”

“Son of a bitch!”

“I’ve told him he cannot share our plan with anyone else and if he does, he’s fired. I also told him if he gives you a heads up on my bridge, before I present it to you, that he’s fired.”

She sighed. “I hate ending everything with ultimatums, but it seems that’s the only way he reins himself in.”

“I know exactly what you’re talking about. But honestly, the sharing of our plans is the final bullet for me. I want him gone.”

“Don’t I have a say?” she softly asked.

“Yes. He’s your employee. You have to fire him. I can only fire you, which I would never do, even if I could. But in my opinion, he’s gone too far. So when you finally do fire him, all I’m going to say is ‘It’s about damn time.’ And I will push you very hard on whether your decisions are based on your professional or personal feelings.”

“Are you kidding? If this were personal, he’d been gone this morning,” she grumbled.

“Are you sure you don’t feel some responsibility for his current state of mind? Because honestly, I don’t see how you could have any confidence in him as an archeologist anymore.”

“He made an effort today. He’s still petulant and resentful, but he did make calls and interviews will begin tomorrow. We’ve agreed his plan remains the same, but I’m moving it out to start next week. I’ll send you a new plan tomorrow night once I decide on the bridge.”

“The suspension bridge might require a PowerPoint presentation given by you to the governor,” he warned.

“Once…
if
you see it, we’ll go from there. That’s about all unless you’re interested in knowing we’ll be laying a single lane of gravel tomorrow. Mr. Mason observed that we do not wish to ever put gravel in the space between the poles because an ATV will then drive on it and smash into a pole.”

“We aren’t going to allow ATV’s in there!”

“I intend to do my best to keep them out, but honestly, they are the cockroaches of state parks.”

“That’s the damn truth. If you can come up with anyway to stop them, let me know so I can install it in my other parks.”

“Well, I’m thinking of placing tree barriers along sections of the woods that appear to be accessible from the road. Also, I’m going to ask Dan to work on other solutions.”

“Keep me informed. I like the barrier idea, but given the distance between the trees, we need other deterrents.”

“I understand.” Upon hanging up, she returned to the living room. Seeing Dan cooking, she went to Malcolm. “Could you take over making dinner? I need to talk to Dan.”

Malcolm nodded and rushed over to Dan, talking softly to him. A moment later, Dan was at her side, his hand on her back. “Problem?”

“Can we talk in private?”

He led her to his room. She turned to face him. “Can I have a hug? I really need one after being around Steel.”

“He
is
toxic,” Dan stated as he gathered her into his strong arms and held her tight. She slid her arms around him and held on, soaking in his strength. Finally, she felt revived and gently pushed back. “Thank you.”