Chapter 10: Short-Term Plans

“Sylvie, do you remember what I do?”

“Um, you’re an accountant, I think?”

“Yes, but a particular kind of accountant. I investigate situations where there may be unethical or criminal activity. You and I are going to meet with my friend Sarah Larkin, she’s my lawyer friend and associate. I’m not an expert, but there might be a case against Poop-Co for illegally sabotaging your husband’s career.

At the very least, she should force them going forward to do absolutely no more disparaging of him. Instead, they should simply verify his employment and salary history. Only that information is what employers are supposed to reveal, nothing more.

“That meeting is for next week. On Sunday, we’re going to sit down and try to get our arms around your finances. When we know how much you owe and to who, or is it to whom? Aw, fuck it, whichever word fits. There’s financial information in the computer you brought with you, right? Good.

“When we know all about your debts, we will know what the next steps are. It might be that you should file for bankruptcy; that will get you out from under all that medical debt. We can talk about that with Sarah, too.

“I’m going to call in some favors to get your husband found and returned to us. Like I say, part of my work is uncovering criminal activity, remember? I have contacts in the police and sheriff’s offices, and at the District Attorney’s office.

“Any questions so far?”

“Julie, you wanted me to take Sette and buy groceries, right?”

“Yes, but first you should check with her to see if she’s wanting to go. She was pretty upset when I left her earlier. Oh, and I need to get you some money.”

Julie went into the back of a cabinet and pulled out an electric crock pot slow cooker.

“Better than a safe, nobody would look in here.”

From inside, she pulled out a wad of cash and pushed the bills into Sylvie’s hand.

“Here you go. This is what I have in the house until I can get to the bank on Monday. It’s ten $50s and ten $20s, total of $700. The keys to my Honda are over there on the hooks. Make sure you get things you can cook and that Sette will like. OK?”

“Thank you. For everything. Is there anything special I should pick up for you to eat?”

“Oh, no, I’m omnivorous.”

Sylvie looked puzzled.

“That means she eats everything,” explained Cosette.

“Eek! How much of all that did you hear?” asked Sylvie.

“I think I heard all of it. I felt bad about behaving poorly with Julie, so I practically followed her back to the kitchen. But then I hung back when I heard how cross she was. Julie, I’m so sorry. I had a bad moment back there in the bedroom. It’s been hard to stay positive with everything that’s happened. Believe me, I’m really grateful for everything you’re doing for us.

“Mom? Let’s go get groceries. When we get back, we’re going to make your famous apple pie as a treat for our friend Julie.

“Before you go, Sylvie, what do you think happened last night?”

“There is no doubt in my mind: Plackett was cooking meth inside his house. From time to time, we could smell the noxious chemicals he was using. He must have been working on a large-scale operation to have created such an enormous explosion.

“I think, along with blowing his house to bits, he managed to almost vaporize himself in the blast. They didn’t recover a body in the wreckage, just, um, parts. I’m sure that with DNA, they will confirm that Stan Plackett was at the center of the explosion.

“We were lucky that we had a little time to dress and take a few things with us before the fire took hold at our place. But you remember the concussion was so strong that it affected our hearing. I’m just happy that we were able to shelter with you right away and get out of the snow.”