Chapter 3 - Vincent Kane Stands Up
Sterling's office was upstairs.
Vincent entered with Mom, me, Sterling, and two of his men.
One was named Luca.
The other was Daniel.
Vincent placed Mom's paper on Sterling's desk.
“Payroll records.”
Sterling folded his arms.
“I don't hand confidential records to customers.”
Vincent sat down.
“I'm not asking for every employee's information.”
“You're asking for something that's none of your business.”
Vincent studied him.
“Interesting choice of words.”
Mom whispered, “Mr. Kane, you don't have to do this.”
He looked at her.
“Why didn't you quit?”
Mom looked at me.
“Because I needed the job.”
Sterling laughed.
“There. Finally some honesty.”
Vincent turned slowly.
Sterling's laugh died.
Mom continued.
“He kept promising the money was coming.”
“How long have you worked here?”
“Eleven months.”
“Problems before this?”
“Small ones.”
“Define small.”
“Missing overtime. Short checks. Hours disappearing.”
Daniel looked at Sterling.
“Sounds less small every sentence.”
Sterling slapped his hand against the desk.
“Enough.”
I jumped.
Vincent's eyes hardened.
“Don't do that again while she's standing here.”
Sterling looked at me.
For the first time, he seemed to realize I was beside Mom.
His voice lowered.
“This is ridiculous.”
Vincent pointed at the computer.
“Open payroll.”
“No.”
Vincent leaned back.
“Then we'll do this another way.”
He looked at Luca.
“Call my attorney.”
Sterling's confidence flickered.
“Attorney?”
“And an independent payroll auditor.”
Sterling stared at him.
Vincent continued.
“If Mara is wrong, I apologize and finish dinner.”
“And if she's right?”
Vincent looked at Mom's paper.
“Then five thousand dollars may be the least of your problems.”
Sterling's eyes shifted toward the computer.
That tiny movement told everyone everything.
Daniel noticed it too.
“Well,” he said. “That's interesting.”
Sterling stepped in front of the monitor.
“You're leaving.”
Vincent stood.
He didn't raise his voice.
“Mr. Sterling, I'm going to give you one opportunity to decide what kind of night you're having.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you can cooperate with a lawful review of records concerning a wage dispute, or Mara can contact the Illinois Department of Labor with legal counsel.”
Mom stared at Vincent.
Sterling looked furious.
“You think she can afford lawyers?”
Vincent's expression became cold.
“She doesn't need to.”
Silence.
“My attorneys will represent her.”
Sterling looked at Mom.
“You bring this into my business and you're finished.”
Mom went pale.
Vincent tilted his head.
“Did you just fire her for raising a wage complaint?”
Sterling realized his mistake.
“I didn't say that.”
“You did,” Daniel said.
“I heard it,” Luca added.
I raised my hand.
“I heard it too.”
Everyone looked at me.
Sterling rubbed his forehead.
“This is insane.”
Vincent looked down at me.
“Rory?”
“Yes?”
“You hungry?”
I nodded.
“Daniel.”
“Yeah?”
“Take Rory downstairs. Get her whatever she wants.”
“I want chicken fingers.”
Daniel nodded seriously.
“A strong negotiating position.”
Mom caught my hand.
“She's staying with me.”
Vincent nodded.
“Fair.”
Then he turned back toward Sterling.
“So we'll all stay.”
Sterling's phone rang.
He ignored it.
It rang again.
Then a knock came at the office door.
The restaurant manager stepped inside.
“Mr. Sterling?”
“What?”
“There are employees downstairs asking what's happening.”
Sterling's face hardened.
“Tell them nothing.”
The manager hesitated.
“Some of them say they're missing wages too.”
Nobody moved.
Vincent slowly looked at Sterling.
“One employee?”
Sterling said nothing.
Vincent glanced at Mom.
Then at the manager.
“How many?”
The manager swallowed.
“Maybe twelve.”
Vincent Kane smiled.
There was nothing friendly about it.
May you like
“Now we're having an accounting problem.”
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