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I snickered. “What’s Miss Ruby going to think about you spoiling your Christmas Eve supper?”
“She ain’t gonna know about it.”
I could picture that pissed-off look on her pretty oval face, one which had been aimed at me many a time.
“I might have to tell her,” I taunted.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Fine. I could tell her about something else.” Something that would blow everything sky high.
“Is there a reason you called?”
Riling Mulaney was almost as much fun as pleasant conversation with her. I’d never get enough of that feisty spirit. And it was one of the reasons I let her get away with more shit than I would anybody else. I didn’t want to tame her.
“Yeah, but I’m enjoying this conversation more.”
“I’m about to hang up on you.”
“I get a warning this time? You really are in the Christmas spirit.” Aggravating her was too much fun.
The chime in my truck sounded when she stuck the key in the ignition. “I hope like hell I lose phone service soon,” she muttered.
A horn blared.
“Mulaney?” I tensed, listening for any other sound that might indicate what was going on.
“I’m fine. Some asshole wouldn’t get over so I could pull out. Feels like I’m back in Houston.”
The crack of a can opening and a long gulp came through the phone. “How do you drink Dr Pepper and eat a Blizzard together?”
“I’m going to have to take you to Dairy Queen and show you how it’s done.”
“Looking forward to it.” I’d been to the restaurant with her on more than one occasion. She made me stop just about any time we passed one.
“Is your mom okay?” Her voice turned serious, and I felt a twinge of regret for alarming her.
“Seems good, just tired a lot. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Then what is it?” She knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t be calling to shoot the breeze on Christmas Eve.
“Dad told me we lost a lot of money in only a few months. He wasn’t specific but I have a feeling it’s more than we thought.”
“What?” she shouted. “How did we not know this?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” I stuffed down the guilt for missing something so huge. “Do you still have access to the Carter Energy bank accounts?”
“How the hell would I know? That’s your department, and I trust you to handle your job.” She crunched in my ear, and I couldn’t find it in me to be annoyed. “Besides, I didn’t know if I ever had authorization.”
“You’re interim CEO, of course you do. You have since you became a VP.”
She coughed and spluttered. “I could’ve been getting money out for my projects without asking you?”
“If you’d needed, though I’d have expected you to tell me.”
“That would’ve been useful to know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I dug my heels into the dirt to curb my rising temper, jolting me in the swing. “I’ve always given you whatever you needed.”
