The Family Plot Read Free Page B

didn’t want her to bite his head off, so he started out easy. “You’d better take Brad, for starters.”
    â€œHas Brad ever actually done a salvage run?”
    â€œAsk him. He might have. You’ll want to keep one eye on him when he’s using the power tools; but he knows his shit on paper, and he might be useful if you run into permission problems. The place is right outside Saint Elmo, on Lookout Mountain … and the historic zoning folks might get ideas about what belongs where. Supposedly this ain’t any business of theirs, but that doesn’t mean you won’t hear from them anyway, when they see you pulling the house apart.”
    â€œFair enough.” She slapped the folder back down on his desk. “Who else?”
    Next he proposed his great-nephew. “Gabe’s done a couple of jobs, now.”
    â€œGabe’s just a kid.”
    â€œHe’s a big-ass kid—that boy can swing a sledge like Babe Ruth. Best of all, he adores you, and he’ll do whatever you tell him.”
    â€œAll right, Gabe’s in. Who else will I wind up babysitting on this gig?”
    Chuck hemmed. He hawed. “Well, James is out picking in Kentucky this week, and Frankie’s got to work the floors. I have to hang around and play manager—and that’s my least favorite thing, so you know I don’t have a choice. Melanie’s got the register and phones … and that’s everyone we have on deck, except Bobby.”
    Dahlia stopped smiling.
    Chuck squeaked, “Baby?”
    â€œOf all the idiots…”
    â€œHe’s not an idiot. You’re just mad at him.”
    â€œI judge him by the company he keeps. Besides that, he’s lazy as hell, and you know he won’t take orders from me.”
    â€œIf he won’t, he can pack it in. This is a business, not a charity.”
    â€œBullshit. You never could tell your sister no.”
    Chuck threw up his hands. “All right, fine—it’s bullshit, but he’s in a bind, and I don’t care how well he gets on with Andy. I’ll have a talk with him before you go. He’ll behave himself, Dolly.”
    â€œDon’t call me that.”
    â€œ Dahlia. He’ll work his ass off, and he’ll answer to you—or he’ll answer to me. He needs the gig, now that Gracie’s gone, and he’s got Gabe to think about.”
    â€œYou say that like she’s dead.”
    â€œShe’s dead to him.”
    She yawned, and didn’t try to hide it. “Jail is temporary.”
    Chuck stared helplessly at his only child. More gently, this time, he tried another approach. “Look, I know Bobby’s not your favorite cousin right now, but it’s only for a few days. Let’s say four days, all in—including me and the Bobcat on the Doolittle. I’ll come up for the last day, and help load up the big stuff.”
    â€œThat sounds about right.”
    â€œFive days, and it’s a big house. You two will hardly have to see each other, and Gabe will be glad to have you around. You’re the responsible adult he’s always wanted.”
    â€œHe’s a good kid,” she grudgingly granted. “I can work with him. And Brad’s not so terrible.”
    â€œBrad’s not terrible at all, he’s just not a handyman—but we can fix that. He’s a quick learner. He just needs the guidance of an experienced professional like yourself.”
    â€œFlattery will get you nowhere, and Brad’s a quick reader . That’s not the same thing as a quick learner. Now I’m supposed to provide on-the-job training, too? Maybe I need a raise.”
    â€œThink of it as an upgrade to a supervising position.”
    â€œOne of those promotions that doesn’t come with any money? Yeah, thanks.” Then she warned, “If Brad cuts off a thumb…”
    â€œThen our insurance premiums go up, and Brad types his