#HotAndHandy (Keeney Builds #1)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

T he kitchen table could not accommodate seven people. Vincent and Tomas rested against the counter with their plates while Iris, Hilary, Ali, Carl, and Marcia sat at the table. Vincent didn’t mind. It meant he was closer to the food for seconds and thirds. It also allowed him to watch the people at the table, people he cared a lot about.

He’d surprised Marcia earlier when he was the first to arrive.

“Please tell me you’re early,” she said, her gaze darting to the clock. “No one is supposed to be here for another half hour.”

“Relax, Ma, you’re fine.” He kissed her cheek and handed her an envelope.

“What’s this?”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. “It’s the first loan payment. I’ll set up an automatic transfer for the rest, but I don’t have your bank information so cash will have to do today.”

Her eyes bugged out when she opened the envelope. “Vincent! You don’t—”

“Yes, Ma, I do. I’d still be in prison if it weren’t for you, so take it. Put it in the bank or go wild. Maybe buy yourself a new adding machine.”

She stared at him with watery eyes, and hugged him fiercely. His eyes were just as watery when he hugged her back.

“Can I buy you a new toolbox?”

“No.”

“A custom-made carpenter’s belt?”

“Ma…”

She chuckled, sniffed, and went back to setting the table.

W ith the single-mindedness of a nineteen-year-old boy, Carl plowed his way through his food, oblivious to those around him. Hilary sparkled. She’d stripped off the white jacket she’d worn to work, revealing a sleeveless, close-fitting, turquoise top over a white skirt. Her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, she looked comfortable and relaxed as she engaged everyone in conversation. Lavishing praise on Marcia’s food, inquiring about business at KBS, asking Carl about his studies, and Tomas about his family.

To this, Vincent paid close attention. Even when they were inside, Tomas rarely spoke about them. But to Hilary, he shared, however sparingly. His story was similar to Vincent’s own. His father left when Tomas was nine, moved to California, and was rarely heard from. His mother remarried, and Tomas had two much younger sisters. His mother and stepfather had a thriving restaurant in Woodinville, where multiple family members worked. Hilary asked if he’d worked in the restaurant. Tomas replied with a firm no, which was the end of his sharing.

When Ali scraped the last evidence of his meal from his plate, Vincent said, “We’ll take care of the dishes, head on into the living room. ”

Chairs shifted, cutlery clattered, and Carl had moved to follow Iris when he was nabbed from behind. “Not so fast, college boy.” Tomas stopped him. “You’ve got kitchen duty, too.”

Carl made a face but turned to the table and gathered up plates. It obviously was not his first twirl around the dance floor because he loaded the dishwasher like a pro, knowing enough to rinse the plates first. Vincent was elbow-deep in soapy water when Carl said, “Dinner was awesome. Your mom is a great cook. But umm, why am I here?”

“Because you’re the centerpiece of the dog and pony show we’ll be performing at the board meeting,” Tomas said. His tone brooked no argument.

Carl’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His head bobbed as well. “Okay…”

Vincent rolled his eyes and nudged Carl with his elbow. “It’ll be fine. We want you to be there. You can testify that Tomas and I haven’t corrupted you and led you into a life of crime.”

“Okay,” Carl repeated, looking less like a deer in the headlights. He took instructions well but showed initiative often, suggesting design changes that worked well. The laugh was on Eddie for giving Vincent a babysitter.

“Did you pack up leftovers for everyone?” Marcia called, bustling into the kitchen. Clearly in her element, a pencil tucked behind one ear, she carried a sheaf of stapled papers. Stopping by the fridge, she surveyed the room; the table was clean, the dishwasher loaded, and the pots and pans were drying on the counter.

“Yes, Ma, I packed everything in plastic containers and put them in the fridge,” Vincent replied, drying his hands and draping the towel over the edge of the sink.

“Good.” Marcia nodded and headed to the coffee maker. “Tomas, can you serve up the pie? Carl, pull down the coffee mugs. Vincent, dig out two trays. I’ll bring in the coffee. ”

“Yes, ma’am,” all three replied in unison. Vincent glanced at Tomas to see how he reacted to being bossed around. The quirk of his lips indicated he was just fine with it. They filed into the living room, placing their loads on the coffee table per Marcia’s instructions. Carl sat beside Ali and Iris on the couch, while Vincent sat beside Hilary on the loveseat. Tomas propped a shoulder on the wall by the entranceway, leaving the armchair for Marcia. He declined the offer of a kitchen chair and crossed his arms.

When everyone had pie and coffee, Marcia cleared her throat and began. “We have a week before the presentation, and I want to make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them, that we all have the same materials, and that we know the timeline.”

“Do I need to know all of this if I’m not going to be there?” Iris asked, looking wilted. She’d hemmed and hawed, coming up with a variety of excuses not to be at tonight’s dinner, finally giving in when Hilary offered to drive her. She didn’t talk much during the meal and had barely eaten. While not dressed differently from what she would normally wear, Iris did not have her usual spark. Since Eddie’s arrest, her passion had all but disappeared.

“You won’t be present, but you may receive questions. The program wouldn’t exist without KBS, and you are KBS,” Hilary told her, passing printouts to everyone, then sitting back down. Iris nodded absently.

“Whoa.” Vincent shot a look at Tomas. “Take a look at page five.”

Tomas put his empty plate on the coffee table and picked up a packet. Turning to the correct page, he read for a moment, then glared at Hilary. “Not happening,” he stated in an uncompromising voice.

Carl and Ali flipped to page five as well. Carl’s gaze bounced between Vincent and Tomas. Page five specified personal testimonials from them about leaving prison .

Ali’s eyebrows went up. “Good idea.” He took in Tomas and Vincent’s matching scowls. “I get that you don’t want to talk about it because you want to put your time in prison behind you. You two went through a good training program, but where would you be if it hadn’t been for your connection to KBS?” The two men glowered but didn’t respond. “Exactly. No references. You know what that’s like and how difficult an obstacle it is to overcome. You two are precisely the ones to speak up for the program.” Ali indicated Carl with his thumb. “This guy was a useless tool when you got him. Now, he’s a craftsman. That’s why he’s gonna speak.” Ali looked down at the paperwork. “Hilary, do you want me to testify as to what Carl learned from working with the guys?”

Hilary looked to Marcia for confirmation. “Yes. Also, would you recommend another company hire Carl?”

Ali took a bite of pie, chased it with a swig of coffee, and swallowed. “No, I would not.”

Carl’s fork clattered to the plate. His shoulders fell, and he stared at his shoes.

Ali smiled. “I won’t write him a recommendation because I intend to offer him a full-time position as our third contractor.”

Carl’s head came up. His smile shone brightly against his dark skin. “Seriously?”

Hilary sighed.

Lips pursed, Marcia reached across the coffee table to smack Ali on the shoulder. “That was mean.”

“I know, but damn fun.” He nudged Carl with an elbow. “We’ll talk about the details tomorrow.”

Carl whipped out his cellphone. “I gotta post this.”

Ali stilled him with his big hand. “Not yet. It’s gonna happen, but don’t jump the gun informing all your peeps.”

“Peeps?” Vincent smirked.

Ali sat back and crossed his arms. “Yeah, I’m hip and with it. I’m down with the lingo. ”

“Sure, Grandpa,” Vincent muttered.

Hilary looked between Vincent and Tomas. “So, are you two on board?”

Vincent ran a hand through his hair and exhaled loudly. “I’m in. Tomas?”

Arms crossed and still scowling, Tomas was definitely not thrilled with the idea.

“How about I write something as a starting point?” Hilary suggested. “You can alter it as you see fit.”

The room was silent, waiting for Tomas’s reply. Vincent understood his reluctance because he didn’t want to share the humiliating experience of constant rejection, either. But he was far more vested in the program than Tomas was: it would be a big coup for Hilary, and he was willing to walk through fire for her.

The ping of a text broke the tension as Tomas nodded.

Marcia beamed. “Tomas, can we meet up tomorrow to review the PowerPoint? I want to add a few more slides.” Again, he nodded.

“Right, I’m out of here.” Having reached his limit for socializing, he lifted his chin at Vincent, then pulled open the front door.

“Oh!”

Everyone in the living room craned their heads to see who was there. Tomas shifted to the side, revealing Fiona Han. The two eyed each other as if no one else existed. Tomas frowned, stepping aside to let Fiona enter, and then was gone.

Fiona turned to the others, shaking her head like she was clearing her thoughts. “Umm…hi,” she said, glancing around the room. “Iris asked me to come and get her.” She stood in the entryway, dressed as if she were headed to a country club luncheon, her hair swept up in a complicated knot. Vincent wondered if she even owned jeans .

Hilary and Marcia rose at the same time that Iris announced, “I’m ready to go,” and hustled to the door.

Marcia protested, “But we’re not finished. We need to go over—”

Hilary interrupted Marcia with a hand over her arm. “Should we call you if we have any questions for KBS?”

Iris waved a hand in dismissal. “Ali can answer them. You don’t need me. I’ll see you later.” And then she was gone.

Ali caught Vincent’s gaze and shrugged, furrowing his brow, while Carl picked up Iris’s untouched piece of pie to attack it with his fork.

“Mrs. Ortiz, I’m Fiona Han.”

“Yes, we met at your wedding.” Marcia smiled stiffly, taking her hand.

Fiona gave a slight laugh. “Of course. It’s lovely to see you again.” To Hilary, she said, “I’ll make sure Iris gets home safely.” She nodded to the others and left quietly.

Marcia closed the door behind her and walked back to her seat. “Obviously, they’ve bonded. Have I missed something?” She glanced around the room with a guilty look on her face. “I’ve been so caught up with this damn proposal I’ve barely talked with Iris.”

Ali rubbed a hand over his bald head. “Fiona has been to the store twice to visit with Iris. Both times she left with red eyes. And Iris is leaving most of the decision-making to me. Which isn’t a good idea because I could be pulling an Eddie, and she’s not aware of it.”

“They’ve been talking to a lawyer,” Carl spoke around a mouthful of pie.

Four pairs of eyes swiveled his way. He looked directly at Vincent and shrugged one shoulder. “I hear things.”

Vincent nodded. He could see it. Carl shuffled around the building, earbuds in place, bopping to whatever music he listened to. Vincent’s shadow, he was a fixture at KBS, and for the most part, the staff ignored him .

Carl swallowed the last bite of pie, and put the plate on the coffee table. “They’re fixing it so Eddie can’t access anything at KBS. Fiona has filed for divorce, and she and Iris are trying to figure out where the money is going. Oh, and a new password system will be set up for the company computers.” This last information he directed at Ali, who grunted in response.

Hilary settled next to Vincent on the loveseat. “I think I know where the money is going. I looked through social media and found a bunch of old photos with both Eddie and Nadia in them.” She turned to Vincent. “Nadia left right before the police raided your place. I think Eddie planted the stuff, and Nadia is blackmailing him.”

“That only happens in the movies,” Ali scoffed.

Looking puzzled, Carl turned to him. “Who’s Nadia?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Ali said, shooting him a glance.

Hilary held up a hand. “Hear me out. We know Eddie hates Vincent. What if Eddie broke Nadia’s heart? What if, years later, she sees him boasting about his success all over social media, and figures she has a way to make him suffer?”

“A woman scorned can be very dangerous,” Marcia muttered.

Hilary continued, “I’m going to do a bit more digging. Maybe reach out to Nadia and see if she will talk to me.”

The room went quiet as everyone ruminated on the idea.

Tears glistened in Marcia’s eyes as she stared at Vincent. “This could clear you.”

“Yeah, but crush Iris,” he replied.

No one looked happy.