Chapter 2 - The Room Everyone Feared
Vincent read every line.
Then he read them again.
His expression changed.
“What are the purple stars?”
I pointed toward the curtain.
“Those are the nights Mommy said she wasn't hungry.”
Nobody spoke.
Vincent looked at me.
“Why did you mark them?”
“Because she was pretending.”
“Pretending what?”
“That she already ate.”
My throat felt funny.
“So I could eat.”
A man across the table slowly lowered his glass.
Vincent looked at the total.
“Five thousand four hundred thirty dollars and thirty cents.”
“Yes.”
“You know what this number means?”
“It's Mommy's money.”
A pause.
“Yes,” Vincent said. “Apparently it is.”
I pointed through the curtain.
“Mr. Sterling bought a new car.”
One of Vincent's men muttered something under his breath.
Vincent ignored him.
Then I asked what I had come to ask.
“Mr. Kane?”
“Yes?”
“Why does Mr. Sterling think my mommy doesn't need money to live?”
His jaw tightened.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then his chair moved backward.
Vincent Kane stood.
Every man at the table stood with him.
I jumped.
Vincent noticed.
“Easy.”
He folded the paper once.
Carefully.
Then held out his hand.
“Come with me.”
I stared at it.
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.”
“Is Mommy?”
“No.”
I took his hand.
We walked through the curtain.
The restaurant changed instantly.
Conversations died.
Forks stopped moving.
Even the bartender froze.
Across the room, Sterling saw us.
First me.
Then Vincent.
Then the paper in Vincent's hand.
His smile vanished.
Mom turned around.
“Rory?”
Her tray nearly slipped.
“Rory!”
She rushed toward me.
“What are you doing?”
“Mom—”
“I told you bathroom and back!”
“I know.”
“Do you have any idea—”
“Mara Carter?”
Vincent's voice stopped her.
Mom looked at him.
Her face went pale.
“Yes.”
“Your daughter and I have been discussing your employment.”
Mom stared at me.
“Rory, what did you do?”
“I showed him the numbers.”
Mom's eyes widened.
“What numbers?”
Vincent unfolded the paper.
Mom looked horrified.
“Oh God.”
Sterling suddenly appeared.
“Mr. Kane.”
Vincent turned.
Sterling smiled nervously.
“I apologize. Mara clearly has some personal issues and her daughter—”
“Personal issues?”
Vincent's voice was quiet.
Sterling stopped.
Vincent held up the paper.
“Seventy-seven days.”
Sterling glanced at Mom.
“This is an internal payroll matter.”
“Good.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“Then explaining it should be easy.”
Sterling laughed.
“There's nothing to explain.”
“Excellent. Pay her.”
The restaurant became silent enough to hear the kitchen clock.
Sterling blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Mr. Kane, with respect, you don't understand the situation.”
Vincent glanced at me.
Then back at Sterling.
“A four-year-old explained it remarkably well.”
“Four and a half,” I corrected.
Vincent nodded.
“My mistake.”
Someone behind him almost smiled.
Sterling didn't.
“This woman has attendance problems.”
Mom stepped forward.
“That’s a lie.”
“Mara.”
“No.”
Her hands were shaking.
“You made me clock out and keep working.”
Sterling's face changed.
“Be very careful.”
Vincent noticed.
“What did you just say?”
Mom swallowed.
Sterling interrupted.
“She’s confused.”
“I’m not confused.”
“Mara—”
“You changed my hours.”
Sterling's jaw tightened.
Vincent looked at the paper again.
Then at Sterling.
“Your office.”
Sterling forced a laugh.
“I have guests.”
“So do I.”
Vincent gestured toward his men.
May you like
“And mine are suddenly very interested in accounting.”
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