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Jennie’s brother, Griffin, was married to their cousin Penelope Rauch and Griffin also worked for their other cousin Eli Bond.
There were all sorts of six degrees of separation on this island that he had long since given up on.
“I don’t need to know those things,” Alex said. “I don’t run a business.”
“No,” he said. “But you should know what businesses are what if there is a fire.”
Alex only grinned at him, then walked over to get treats out of the jar he kept there. Both Dopey and Doc were on their beds napping. Once they heard the jar open, Doc was running toward Alex, Dopey lifting his head knowing it would be brought to him.
“What’s on the schedule today?” Alex asked him.
It wasn’t even eight yet, and they’d be opening soon, but some dropped their cars off last night or this morning and left their keys in the overnight slot.
“A few oil changes and new tires. Some brakes.” He looked things over the day before so he knew what to plan for each day and could let Alex know when he needed him. Lately it seemed like he needed him on his day off all the time but wouldn’t always push.
His cousin worked hard and had a life. He needed to sleep after he worked nights and he had a right to spend time with his girlfriend.
Something Carter never seemed to be able to do with someone.
Or so they told him enough times.
Maybe he couldn’t or didn’t find the right person either.
He went to the computer and pulled up what should be done in order. Alex stood next to him and looked over his shoulder. “I’ll take the brake job first,” Alex said, looking at the keys on the desk, finding the ones to the Chevy truck and then going to get it in the front and bring it onto the lift.
“Hey, boss,” Jason said, walking in. He wore dark work pants and a Bond Garage shirt that all the employees had. Not many wore them though. “What do you need me to do?”
“Got two inspections and oil changes this morning if you want to get started on that. I’ve got to work on the car from that accident last week. Simon will be here soon and he’s got an all-day job I need him to do.”
There were parts he needed to fix now that Stew was able to get the damaged metal off. He’d fix what he needed to and then Stew could start to work on the body repair next. It normally took weeks for a car to be repaired here that’d been in an accident, but it took weeks off the island too.
Things had to be done in stages and he was thankful he had the space and the guys to work on more than one car at a time with body damage done to it.
Everyone started to work and he moved to the back to take care of what he needed. He’d be working on this car all day he was sure.
Or so he hoped until Jason came out to get him three hours later. “One of the cars that needed the inspection is failing it,” Jason said.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Tires and brakes. Both of them.”
He had a feeling when he saw it on the lot. “Let me come check it out and see whose it is.”
There was nothing he hated more than calling someone to tell them they failed an inspection and what it’d cost to get it repaired.
He’d never fail someone if they had a little bit of wear left on their tires. He’d tell them about it and that they need it fixed or it’d fail the next time. Not everyone had the money and it’d give them time and warning.
When he got up front, he was wiping his hands on one of the many rags he kept everywhere and punching keys on the plastic-covered keyboard. He saw this owner had been told last year that both of these things needed to be replaced before the next inspection. This time he didn’t feel so bad calling and letting them know.
He went to his mother’s office. “Can you do me a favor? I need a price quote on tires for this car.” He handed over the piece of paper with the make and model on it. “They need brakes too. I know I’ve got the brakes and tires in stock, but off the top of my head I’m not sure what the prices are for them.”
Which was another problem. He couldn’t release this car back to the customer knowing it failed. But it’d sit here if the person didn’t want to pay for the tires he had in stock and it’s not like he could keep all that much inventory here. If the customer wanted something else, it’d be time or a courier to the mainland.
His mother looked it all up on the computer. “Do you want me to call and let them know?”
“Would you?” he asked. “I hate to leave it to you.”
His mother laughed. “Your father did it all the time. I’ve got a way with people. Plus I see here they were told last year. This shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
