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We both watch him leave, the door still wide open. I think about closing it, but decide against it, as I wouldn’t want any of the staff accusing us of being inappropriate in here.
Quinn stares expectantly at me. “So what did you want to talk about, sir?”
I’m temporarily stripped of words with the way she’s looking at me, with the weird electricity in the air between us now that we’re alone. I clear my throat and say, “Numbers.”
“I figured,” she replies. “Any reports I can pull up here?” She points at the computer.
I don’t need her to, as it’s all in my head thanks to my strange gift of memorizing everything I see, but I allow her to, anyway. She may need to look as well. Plus, I want an excuse to memorize her face while she’s not looking at me.
“Sure, let’s start with the alcohol inventory.”
“No problemo,” she drawls, sitting at the computer and typing a few things in.
I stare at her profile and then her hair, wondering how it would feel between my fingers. She turns the monitor around to face me. “This is the latest one.”
I sit in the chair and without looking at the monitor, I say, “Do you realize there’s been a twenty-three percent decrease in the bottles over the past three months?”
“Well, no, sir. I wasn’t aware. I mean, me ’n Carter just tally up the numbers and send ’em off. I don’t really compare the previous months’ numbers.” She smiles nervously at me. “Was I supposed to?”
“No, just report them.”
“Well, isn’t it a good sign that we’ve been doing more pours? That means more business, right?”
“No, the numbers don’t match. The alcohol levels are decreasing but the bar sales aren’t matching. You understand?”
She frowns and I wonder what I said to make her do that. “Yes, I understand, but it doesn’t make sense. We ring in every order. Aside from happy hour specials, we charge full price for every well drink, wine, draft beer, and bottle.”
Just then, Roman walks in and stands with his shoulder against the doorframe, holding a copper mug. He takes a sip and watches us.
I look at Quinn. “We trust you, Quinn. Perhaps we should question some of the other employees. The bartender and waitress, what are their names?”
“Carter and Maria. But Maria doesn’t go behind the bar. She gives her drink orders to either Carter or me and we make ’em. Rick, the cook, he never comes outta the back except when he’s leavin’ for the day.”
“And you haven’t noticed anybody drinking on the job or sneaking shots, anything like that?” Roman asks.
She shakes her head no, her eyes wide. “Oh, no, sir. Never. I would never allow that. I hope you know that?”
“I do,” I reply honestly. I’ve known about Quinn’s financial situation for a couple of years now, and would hope that she needs this job enough to not let employees get away with that type of behavior on her watch.
“I mean, I’m obviously not here twenty-four-seven. I get off at five so at night, there could be some things going on with the night crew. Do you want me to question them?” she asks nervously.
I glance at Roman, who looks at me knowingly, then back at Quinn. “I do think it would be wise to bring it up at the monthly staff meeting.”
“That’s on Tuesday, and I sure can do that for ya.”
“In the meantime, I think it’s time we get a new system going,” Roman says. “I saw this system onBar Rescue, they use a computer tablet to do inventory. It’ll speed up the time it’s done and keep accurate records of bottles and how much was used in conjunction to what was rung up. It’s pretty much an exact science, as long as drinks are getting poured correctly and rung up correctly.”
“That sounds excellent,” I say, standing. “I guess your obsession with that show is paying off.”
Roman chuckles and pats me on the arm. “Taffer’s a genius. But we don’t ever want to be in a position to need his help in rescuing a bar. It’s humiliating, man.”
I shake my head. “That would never happen. I’d close a location first and allocate the funds to another before I’d allow that.”
“What do you think about cameras?” Roman queries. “We might catch who’s skimming off the top that way.”
We both look at Quinn. She volleys her gaze between us and says, “I… I guess that’s a good idea. Who will monitor the cameras?”
“We could from our offices and phones, or at least have access if needed. You’d have to learn the system and such,” I offer.
