Chapter Sixteen - Danny
Charlotte is sitting in Hank’s office, pretending to be doing work for him but actually keeping watch on the inventory unloading. I don’t normally supervise it, but ever since money has started going missing, I have been. I haven’t seen anything yet, but maybe with Charlotte here, I’ll get a lead. I’ve also made her a plate of food to eat while she keeps watching, a small sampler of every Naval Ball dish, and she keeps texting her reactions to it from across the room.
All her reactions are positive, and I can’t help but think they all seem flirtatious, too. I grin while reading them, trying to text back without the staff noticing how often I’m glancing at my phone. It makes me feel like the kind of teenager I never was, like someone sneaking around for firsts and after-school romance. By the time I was a teenager, I had a taste for beer and a temper ready to be ignited at the slightest insult.
The truck unload goes quickly, and soon, most of the staff is heading out. Charlotte comes out of the office to join me, and we go over every line in the ledger and every item on the shelf. It comes out even if someone is pocketing things they didn’t do it tonight.
“See anything weird?” Charlotte asks. I shake my head.
“Nothing. You?” I ask.
“Nothing. Everyone seemed to just be doing their jobs,” Charlotte says.
“I’d like to stay for a while, see if anyone comes back who shouldn't, if you’re up for it,” I say.
“Only if I can have more of those potatoes,” Charlotte says, laughing. I grin too. People compliment my food all the time, but it feels better when Charlotte does it.
“Deal,” I say. I head to get her some, and she heads back to Hank’s office to get her plate.
“There is a busboy still here,” Charlotte says in a loud whisper when she comes back. I frown.
“Which one? What is he doing?” I ask.
“I’m not sure of his name? He’s young, though, he’s got to still be in high school. It looked like he was on the phone?” Charlotte says. I follow her back into Hank’s office and look out at Michael, one of our busboys, who is pacing the dining room.
“That’s Michael,” I tell her, “He’s only worked here for a few months. He didn’t even know Anthony.”
“Maybe he’s just waiting for a ride?” Charlotte offers. I nod. It’s possible. I don’t know a lot about any of the busboys—they report to Hank and not me, but Michael has never been any trouble that I know of.
“Maybe,” I say. We watch Michael for a minute more. He paces around the room and glances back at the kitchen a few times, sighing and frowning, which catches my interest as odd, but then checks his phone again and heads out the front door, and I realize Charlotte was right. I’m looking for clues in everything tonight. Even a kid who’s frustrated, waiting for someone to pick him up after his shift.
“Sorry this doesn’t seem like it’s leading anywhere,” Charlotte says after Michael leaves.
“I’m just glad to have someone else take this seriously,” I say.
“I really do,” Charlotte says. “Thousands of dollars is not an error.”
“I don’t see how it can be,” I say, heading back to the kitchen to get Charlotte her potatoes.
“How did everything go with the pipes?” Charlotte asks.
“Really well,” I say, handing Charlotte back her plate.
“Are you still worried about the inspection?” Charlotte asks. I nod.
“Incredibly,” I sigh. “It could shut us down right before our biggest night ever.”
“I promise I’ll help whenever I can,” Charlotte says, “I don’t know much about investigations, but I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks,” I say, not sure what else to say. Sometimes Charlotte makes me feels overwhelmed, in the best possible way.
“It’s important,” Charlotte says, digging into her potatoes. I watch her, smiling even though my worry.
“How are you?” I ask. “I know the other day was rough.”
“It was,” Charlotte admits, “but you helped.”
“I’m glad,” I say. It feels like an understatement.
We don’t get any more clues for the rest of the night, but Charlotte and I sit in the kitchen for two more hours anyway, talking and planning more of our investigation. Even though it doesn't really lead anywhere, I feel closer to the truth than I have before. With Charlotte on my side, I feel like the answer is right in front of us. Like we’ll see it soon.
I don’t know what it is about Charlotte that makes me such an optimist, but I think I could get used to it.