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This new technology in doing the inventory was excellent. Becky’s father was the kind of guy who did it the old-fashioned way for most things, but she applauded his giving into this improvement. It helped her immeasurably. When her father and uncle showed up by nine, she was done except for the closets. When the door opened, she had almost finished the last large storage closet, and her uncle walked in.
She quickly uploaded everything in the scanner, sent a message to Sharlee for safekeeping, and waited.
“Becky, we know you are in here, and while you think you have found something off, you are wrong. I didn’t want to tell you how bad your father’s memory has gotten lately, but he has relied on the warehouse manager and me to take care of things.”
Becky debated whether she should come out or not, but she decided against it. Her father forgot a few messages and lost track of time more than in his younger days, but when they spoke about things pertaining to business and investments, he tracked just fine. Becky resolved to check his investment portfolios too. All his finances would need a good going over. She’d get Jessie to help her understand some of that later.
The door closed behind Karl as he continued to other parts of the building, presumably to find her. Thank goodness the building’s overhead lights came on with the main switch, so he could only guess if she were in a closet. They called them closets, and they were numbered, but really, they were storage rooms with a specific inventory. It was easier to find things when the store had grown.
Finally, all done, everything uploaded, everything sent to one of Sharlee’s many mailboxes as a backup; Becky stepped out of the room. She didn’t see anyone, so she went into the warehouse office and poured herself another cup of coffee, relieved she’d finished in record time and that everyone was late on Saturday mornings.
Her father wandered into the office within ten minutes, followed by the manager. She didn’t ask where her uncle was but knew he wasn’t far behind. “Got what you needed?” asked Monty, his warehouse manager. “I think so. Is there any inventory in other places besides the main warehouse and four closets?”
“Nope, except for the things your uncle keeps in his closet, but I think most of that is his private property.”
James turned to Monty. “His private property, like household items? Garage overflow? What?”
“I honestly don’t know. He had it padlocked with a key.” said Monty.
James grunted.
Becky stood in the stockroom, staring at the shelves of products she had counted. On her father’s side, the numbers today matched the numbers from last quarter, except for one corner, next to Karl’s section. After considering that things were bought and sold, it was the number she had expected, and the overflow was from that segment that didn’t seem to hold inventory from her father. Maybe they were mixed up. But these were not the numbers on the books. Why? Something was wrong. She cleared the information and removed where they had been uploaded to. She reset everything.
The inventory numbers had been tampered with, and she could feel the knot in her stomach growing tighter with each passing moment. Why would anyone want her father’s inventory numbers to look inflated? Why not just put Karl’s inventory on his own count?
She turned to her father, who seemed confused about why the numbers didn’t add up. Her uncle simply blew her off. “It’s been a while since you’ve taken inventory, and you’ve likely forgotten how to do it. Besides, that new counter isn’t as accurate as hand counting.”
But Becky knew that wasn’t the case. She knew how to take inventory, and the counter was more accurate. It didn’t lose count, and she scanned each box. “Well, no worries. We’ll figure things out. My friend is a forensic accountant, so I’ll take things to her, and she’ll be able to see where the mistake is quickly. I’m going to the house to get breakfast. You want to come with me, Dad?”
“Sure, I could eat.”
“Great. Nice to meet you, Monty. See you next trip, Uncle. Next time I’ll bring Carter.”
“Your big brawny guy.” her uncle asked sarcastically.
“Yep, my big, brawny, Special Operations pilot, bodyguard guy.” Monty and James laughed, but Uncle Karl didn’t even crack a smile.
“You do that,” he said before he walked away.
Chapter 11
Her worst fears were confirmed as Becky rechecked the inventory after returning to her parent’s house. The numbers were significantly off, and the merchandise seemed wrong. She could feel it in her bones. If the men had asked about where the numbers were off or any kind of clarification, she might think it was a colossal mistake, but the warehouse manager nor her uncle said a word and her father just shook his head in confusion. Something fishy was at play, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Carter had texted her several times but with the phone on mute, so she wasn’t disturbed, she hadn’t known. She cringed as the texts started light and sweet, and by the time the last text came in at ten a.m. when she turned the ring and notifications back on, his messages had a dark tinge.
Carter: Rebecca Shea, if you don’t answer me by lunchtime, I will send Monroe and his rubber paddle your way with permission to use it.
Becky: Sorry, sorry. I was doing inventory and didn’t want anyone to disturb me. You know how the girls are when you are out of town, calling me non-stop, trying to convince me to stay with them, and now that we are both gone this weekend, I avoided their loving annoyance. I certainly wouldn’t have gotten things done early.
Carter: Are you done now?
Becky: Yes.
Carter: Sir.
Becky: Daddy
Carter: I want a check-in every three hours during the day, and do not leave without telling me and turning on the camera.
