Thumbs Down

By David Cauthen

The telephone's insistent ringing at three in the morning snatched Sam Workman from dreamless sleep.

"Hello," he mumbled.

"This is a warning," said a digitally altered voice. "Leave Betterton now! If you don't, you won't live long enough to regret it."

"Who is this?" Sam angrily demanded to a dead line.

"Unknown name, unknown number," blinked the call identifier.

"Coward!" Workman growled and slammed down the receiver.

The call was the first episode in a conspiracy to force Sam and his business, B&W Concrete, out of Betterton or destroy them. Followed were attempts to oust B&W from two construction projects, a hospital addition and an engine plant, totaling $400 million in construction costs to yield B&W $10 million profits.

Sam retains attorney Penn Roman to stem the tide of disastrous actions drowning B&W in a flood of claims of incompetency and fraud and more threats and violence against Sam, Penn, and Penns family.

When a testing lab employee working on the projects disappears, and the newspaper prints libelous articles condemning B&W, Penn and Sam find themselves entangled in a web of greed, deceit, violence, and murder.

Courageously, they face the schemers in an explosive and telling trial to the finish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449071431

David Cauthen

David Cauthen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Auburn University in 1957, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1964. He practiced trial law thirty-eight years in Decatur, Alabama, and specialized in personal injury, domestic relations, and criminal law. In 2001, he retired to write. In addition to Thumbs Down, the second novel in the Penn Roman legal thriller series, he published Absolute Justice, the first in the series, in 2007. He is completing Conscious Disregard, the third novel in the series. It, and his memoir, When Destiny Comes to a Fork in the Road, will be published soon.      He and his wife, Barbara, live near Hartselle in North Alabama on a small horse farm.

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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CHARACTERS AND NAMES

CHAPTER 1 – THREATS

CHAPTER 2 – ROMAN & NORTH

CHAPTER 3 – THE ODD COUPLE

CHAPTER 4 – DISTRACTIONS

CHAPTER 5 – POLITICS

CHAPTER 6 – FESTERING NEMESES

CHAPTER 7 – JOCKEYING FOR POSITION

CHAPTER 8 – A PLAN OF ACTION

CHAPTER 9 – THROWING DOWN THE GAUNTLET

CHAPTER 10 – ALLIANCES AND CONSPIRACIES

CHAPTER 11 – STACKING THE DECK

CHAPTER 12 – SMOKE SCREENS

CHAPTER 13 – MORE TROUBLE

CHAPTER 14 – BAD BREAKS

CHAPTER 15 – BAITING THE TRAP AND HAPPY INTERLUDE

CHAPTER 16 – AN UNEXPECTED ALLY

CHAPTER 17 – FATAL DISCOVERY

CHAPTER 18 – MONEY AND MONKEY BUSINESS

CHAPTER 19 – LUST, STUPIDITY, AND DEATH

CHAPTER 20 – PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

CHAPTER 21 – INVESTIGATION AND COINCIDENCE

CHAPTER 22 – CONNECTING THE DOTS

CHAPTER 23 – TYING RATS’ TALES TOGETHER

CHAPTER 24 – BLOOD, WATER, AND BANK ACCOUNTS

CHAPTER 25 – TOE IN THE DOOR

CHAPTER 26 – EXPLORING THE PAST

CHAPTER 27 – THE DIKE SPRINGS A LEAK

CHAPTER 28 – A BIG BREAK

CHAPTER 29 – DESPERATION

CHAPTER 30 – UNRAVELING TAPESTRY

CHAPTER 31 – HORROR AND TEST OF WILLS

CHAPTER 32 – TROUBLE IN THE RANKS

CHAPTER 33 – THE PAST REVISITED

CHAPTER 34 – MORE LEAKS IN THE DIKE

CHAPTER 35 – UNEXPECTED BOOSTS

CHAPTER 36 – ROCKY BEGINNING

CHAPTER 37 – FACING HARD FACTS

CHAPTER 38 – CALL YOUR FIRST WITNESS

CHAPTER 39 – MORE TERROR

CHAPTER 40 – UNORTHODOX STRATEGY

CHAPTER 41 – DOUBLE REVERSE

CHAPTER 42 – FREE-FOR-ALL

CHAPTER 43 – BACKUPS AND CROSS-TAGS

CHAPTER 44 – LISTENERS AND BOOBY TRAPS

CHAPTER 45 – ALLIES AND FORMER ENEMIES

CHAPTER 46 – WORDS FROM THE GRAVE

CHAPTER 47 – THE MEDIA SPEAKS

CHAPTER 48 – SELF-DEFENSE

CHAPTER 49 – FACTUAL QUICKSAND

CHAPTER 50 – PROVING THE TRUTH

CHAPTER 51 – INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE

CHAPTER 52 – FATAL VISIT

CHAPTER 53 – THE WEB TIGHTENS

CHAPTER 54 – BLIND FOLLOWERS

CHAPTER 55 – ANOTHER DEFECTION

CHAPTER 56 – THE DEAF HEAR, THE DUMB SPEAK

CHAPTER 57 – ANOTHER REVELATION

CHAPTER 58 – LADY JUSTICE SPEAKS

EPILOGUE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

TABLE OF CHARACTERS AND NAMES

Amos, Billy - former Caine County state senator

B&W Concrete Co., Inc. - Betterton ready mix plant operated by Sam Workman and owned by him and Benny Boothe

Beauchamp, Bennett - Executive Director of Betterton - Caine County Chamber of Commerce

Best, Inc. - Benson Millican’s private corporation

Betterton Bank & Trust Co. - CSI and Allen Feldman’s former bank

Betterton Concrete Materials, Inc. - Ollie Monroe’s ready-mix company

Biggs, Paul - attorney for Dan King and KingCo, Inc.

Billington, Jack - Citizens’ Memorial Hospital board member

BIM, Inc. - Dr. Brian Moody’s private corporation

Boothe, Benny - co-owner of B&W Concrete and Sam Workman’s friend

Boothe Concrete Products, Inc. - Huntsville, Alabama, ready mix plant operated by Benny Boothe and his father

Boothe, Vivian - Benny Boothe’s wife

Broadmoore, Tim - Caine County Commission member

Brown, Dr. Ronald Edward - co-owner of TechTest, Inc.

Bullas, Salvatore - attorney for Pedro ‘Pete’ Santana

Cardonis, Kay - Daren Jacobs’ secretary

Christine - Benson Millican’s mistress in Phoenix, Arizona

Central Bank & Trust Co. - Sam Workman’s and B&W’s bank in Betterton

Citizens’ Memorial Hospital - Betterton’s largest hospital

Connors Engines Company - industrial engine assembly plant under construction

Connover, Lisa - reporter for The Betterton Bulletin

Consolidated Worldwide Insurance Company - liability insurance company that provided liability insurance coverage to The Betterton Bulletin,

Benson and Judy Millican, and the Walker Trust entities

CSI - Construction Specialists, Inc., the general contractor on Citizens’ Memorial Hospital addition

Douglas, Oswald - counsel for the Caine County Commission and Chairman Boyd Wheeler

Downey, The Honorable Thomas - presiding judge of the Circuit Court of Caine County, Alabama

Dunn, Dr. Todd - Betterton physician on Citizens’ Memorial Hospital Staff

Dwight - B&W ready-mix plant supervisor

Edwards, Thomas Olin ‘TOE’ - warehouse watchman and custodian for TechTest, Inc.

England, Buddy - Alabama legislator

EnviroTest - Pete Santana’s employer before he was hired by TechTest

Estevez, Jose - housemate with Pete Santana.

Feldman, Allen - owner and president of Construction Specialties, Inc. (CSI)

Fletcher, Simmons - young Betterton attorney

Fontaine, Alex - member Caine County Commission

Garman, George - CSI’s project supervisor

Gholson, Tim - a Betterton Bulletin newspaper reporter

Hamby, Agnes - Boyd Wheeler’s secretary

Hanners, Von - B&W employee

Hardy, Cyrus - attorney for Daren Jacobs and TechTest, Inc

Harkness, Roscoe - counsel for Tim Broadmoore and Alex Fontaine

Harrison, Dale - Betterton Police Department detective

Harshman, Ben - Citizens’ Memorial Hospital board member

Hartman, Jonas - Mayor of Betterton

Henshaw, Dr. Robert - Bess Williams’ psychiatrist

Holcombe, Anna - Roman & North’s secretary

Innis, Kyle - Wise Contractor concrete foreman

Jacobs, Daren - co-owner of TechTest, Inc

Junkins - former customer of B&W Concrete

KingCo, Inc. - Dan King’s concrete ready mix plant

King, Dan - owner of KingCo, Inc., a Betterton concrete company

Land, Jake - grading subcontractor

Lansdale, Asa - mediator

Lindstrom, Janet - secretary to Dr. Brian Moody at Citizens’ Memorial Hospital

Lou’s - a fine Betterton restaurant

Maria - Pete Santana’s woman

Martinez, Consuela - Benson Millican’s mistress in Kingston, Jamaica

Mathis, Bob - concrete testing expert from Birmingham

McCollum, Art - project superintendent on Connors Engines project

McKinstry, Jackson - attorney for Citizens’ Memorial Hospital Board members Ben Harshman and Jack Billington

Millican, Benson - Editor of The Betterton Bulletin

Millican, Judy - owner of The Betterton Bulletin and wife of Benson Millican

Monroe, Ollie - owner and operator of Betterton Concrete Materials, Inc

Moody, Dr. Brian - Administrator and Board Chairman of Citizens’ Memorial Hospital

Morgan, Rusty - Caine County District Attorney

Mortenson, Henry - counsel for Betterton-Caine County Chamber of Commerce and Bennett Beauchamp

National Hospital Consultants, Inc. - Consulting company formed by Dr. Brian Moody and Bert Valone

North, Debbie - partner in the law firm of Roman & North

North Alabama Commercial Bank - Betterton bank upon which Moody and Jacobs serve on the board of directors

North Alabama National Bank - Dan King’s and KingCo’s bank

Owens, Tandy - former TechTest employee

Parsons, Paul - CSI’s and Allen Feldman’s attorney

Paxton, Justin (Pax) - The Betterton Bulletin’s and Judy Millican’s attorney and legal counsel

Rawlings, Hudson (Hud) - attorney for Citizens’ Memorial Hospital, the board, Dr. Brian Moody and Bert Valone

Renfroe, Claudia - investigator for the Betterton Police Department

Rhimes, Watson - counsel for Ollie Monroe and his ready mix company

Roman, Ashley - Penn Roman’s wife

Roman, Matthew - Ashley and Penn Roman’s eighteen year old son

Roman, Pennfield (Penn) - partner in the law firm of Roman & North

Roman, Rebecca - Ashley and Penn Roman’s sixteen year old daughter

Rosen, Ellie - Assistant District Attorney in Alcorn County, Mississippi

Sally - Benson Millican’s mistress and a stockbroker in Houston, Texas

Santana, Juan Pedro - a TechTest employee

Schneider, Tom - assistant district attorney for Caine County, Alabama

Sims, Hilda - Ronald Brown’s secretary

Sommers, Hank - a Betterton plainclothes detective

Swinson, Arnold - President of Connors Engines Company

Taylor, Cindy - a friend of Ashley Roman in volunteer work

TechTest, Inc. - testing lab owned by Daren Jacobs and Dr. Ronald Brown

Terry, Ruthie - Zac Terry’s wife

Terry, Zac - TechTest, Inc., employee

The Betterton Bulletin - Betterton’s only daily newspaper

The Hot Biscuit - local café owned and operated by Amber Willis

Tindall, Allen - former Citizens’ Memorial Hospital board member

Tompkins, Rachel - wealthy Betterton divorcee

Unger, Zeb - private detective

Valone, Bert - house counsel for Citizens’ Memorial Hospital

Wellbourne, Harvey - Chairman of the Betterton-Caine County Industrial Development Board

Wheeler, Boyd - Chairman of the Caine County Commission

Whitman, Oscar - bailiff in Judge Thomas Downey’s court

Williams, Bess - wife of Windell (Win) Williams, Sr.

Williams, Peggy - Dell Williams’ wife

Williams, Windell, Jr. ‘Dell’ - son of Win and Bess Williams

Williams, Windell, Sr. (Win) - member of Alabama House of Representatives representing Caine County

Willis, Amber - owner and operator of The Hot Biscuit

Wise Contractors, Inc. - general contractor on Connors Engines project

Workman, Sam - operator and co-owner of B&W Concrete Co., Inc

Yancey, Betty - Benson Millican’s secretary at The Betterton Bulletin

Young, Ken - a vice-president of Wise Contractors, Inc.

Zeller, Bruce - a Betterton police detective

"O, what a tangled web we weave,

When first we practice to deceive!"

Sir Walter Scott, Marmion VI

CHAPTER 1 – THREATS

The bedroom telephone’s insistent ringing at two o’clock Monday morning catapulted Sam Workman from a deep, dreamless sleep.

Hello," he mumbled as he almost dropped the receiver, unsure he was speaking into the mouthpiece end.

This is a warning, the digitally altered voice announced. Get out of Betterton now. If you don’t, you’ll wish you had.

The words belted Sam from confusion to red-hot anger. With his free hand, he threw back the bedcovers, jerked his long, muscular frame out of bed, and switched on the bedside lamp.

Who is this? his normally slow, calm Southern voice growled. His handsome face was flushed, thick, brown hair disheveled. His ice-blue eyes reflected the harsh light.

The line went dead before he could say more.

Unknown name, unknown number, the illuminated call-identifier blinked.

Coward! Workman muttered with disgust into the receiver before slamming it down on its carriage.

He lay down again but couldn’t sleep as the sinister, robot-like voice repeatedly played in his mind.

~~~

First, the malicious rumors my concrete’s bad and I’m going out of business, Sam grumbled to Von, B&W Concrete Company’s able and faithful secretary and dispatcher, later that morning as he irritably entered the office in Betterton, Alabama.

You look beat, Von said as she removed her reading glasses and took a closer look at her boss. What’s the matter?

Had a bad night. Before daylight I got a threatening phone call telling me to leave town.

We got one here, too! Von interrupted excitedly. It was on the answering machine when I came in.

What did it say?

A man’s voice. Sounded weird. Said you better take the warning seriously and leave Betterton, Von exclaimed and frowned. Said if you didn’t, you could get yourself killed. Why would anyone threaten you?

You got me!

The voice was disguised, sounded automated, Von added in a nervous, high-pitched voice. "Call-identifier was no help.

Whoever it was, you need to find out and fast. The caller sounded serious. We’ve never had a call like that before.

Play it back.

Von punched the message replay button on the telephone. The voice and the substance of the message were similar to those in the call to Sam’s apartment earlier that morning except for the threat on Sam’s life. The caller ended, saying, Workman, you better take this warning seriously.

Must be getting to the competition, Sam quipped with light-heartedness he didn’t feel. It’s probably just a prank.

Well, Mr. Sam Workman, a pale Von retorted, you’d better take it seriously. I do.

~~~

The unsigned, handwritten note in B&W’s mailbox the next morning read:

If you don’t leave Betterton now, your days are numbered. If you want to stay healthy, take your company and get out.

We need to talk, Sam told Benny Boothe, his business partner, in a phone call to Huntsville soon after reading the note.

I’m getting threats. Somebody’s trying to run us out of town. You’d better come over and let’s talk about it.

Be there as quick as I can, Benny promised and hung up.

Two hours later, he sat in Sam’s office.

I shrugged it off at first, Sam explained after repeating the threats he received the day before.

Then he handed Benny the note.

I wasn’t going to mention it, but lately there are all sorts of rumors being spread that our concrete’s defective, Sam added.

That’s not good. Any idea who’s behind it? Benny responded, his words fast-paced.

"Nothing I can prove. Could be a guy named Junkins, a dissatisfied former customer. May be our competition, but I don’t think so. They’re not stupid. They should know they would be the first ones we suspect. We’ve gotten several jobs they bid on, but, from what I see, they have plenty of work.

"Don’t know much about Ollie Monroe. I heard he has some sort of criminal record. First time I met him I thought he looked like a mafia thug. Last year I sat at a table next to him at a chamber of commerce dinner and couldn’t believe the crude and profane things he said. One couple left the table and sat somewhere else. If I’d had a date with me, I would have told Monroe to clean up his act.

The few times we’ve poured on the same jobs he has avoided talking to me. I can’t prove he’s involved in this situation.

What about KingCo? Any problems with Dan King? Benny asked.

"I hear things here and there, that he’s grumbling about not getting the jobs we outbid him on. Rumors, really.

Several of our customers said they’ve heard our concrete’s no good, that we’re not dependable, or we’re in financial trouble. That may have come from King, but I don’t think he’s dumb enough to call and threaten us or write notes.

Sam slowly pushed back his chair, stood and walked behind his partner to the window, his large hands resting on narrow hips as he looked out on the ready-mix plant yard. He was neatly dressed in fresh blue jeans and a lighter blue, starched, long sleeve shirt, its cuffs turned up to the elbow.

"We’re not leaving Betterton. Whoever’s trying to scare me best be ready to use more than telephone calls and notes. We’ve gone through too much and worked too hard to be flushed out.

"This is the best location in North Alabama. Betterton’s growing like crazy, now up to about a hundred thousand. Caine County’s population is twice that. Manufacturing plants have sprung up all along the river. We’re an hour’s drive to Birmingham, Nashville, and the Mississippi line. A bit quicker to Huntsville.

Betterton, Caine County, and the Chickasaw River are in the center of a blossoming economic area which has just begun to really develop, Sam said decisively.

We’re not about to leave. We’re just getting started here.

Maybe we ought to go to the police, Benny suggested, a tense edge in his voice.

Sam turned, looked at Benny and shook his head.

All I’ve got is the note and the answering machine message, he said. I didn’t record the telephone threat at home.

Maybe the police can tap your phones.

I doubt the guy will call again, Sam said with more hope than certainty in his voice.

There was a nervous silence.

Sam returned to his desk and stood behind his chair and nervously ran a hand over his youthful face, then through his hair.

I think I’ll go see the lawyer who got us out of that lawsuit about the stuck gravel truck. If he thinks I ought to go to the police, I will.

What stuck gravel truck? Benny asked.

"Junkins, the irate customer I just mentioned, ordered five loads of gravel for a parking area behind his garage and wanted us to spread it. He lives way out in the county. He demanded delivery the day he phoned in the order and insisted on personally directing our driver the route to where the gravel was to be spread.

"It was raining. I should have known better but sent a driver out with a load. Junkins wasn’t there when my driver arrived, and he had to wait nearly an hour. When Junkins finally showed up, he directed our driver to a soft area, and one side of our truck sank in the ground up to the axles. The driver dumped the load on the spot to keep the truck from turning over.

"Junkins got mad, stopped payment on the check for the gravel, and sued us for tearing up his yard. Claimed we caused him and his wife mental anguish.

"I took the lawsuit papers to our corporate lawyer in Huntsville. He recommended I contact Penn Roman, a lawyer here. Said he knew Roman’s firm well and had referred a number of cases to them.

"‘Penn Roman’s a bulldog. He never gives up,’ our lawyer said.

"With a recommendation like that, I wanted to see for myself and made an appointment.

"I wasn’t sure he would take the case because it was small.

Roman took the case and did one heck of a job. Our lawyer was right.

Sam sat back down in his desk chair before continuing and smiled, showing even, white teeth which attractively contrasted with his tanned face.

"Went right after Junkins, filed a counter-suit for the price of the gravel, wrecker bill, lost truck time, fraud for stopping payment on the check, court costs, and for our attorney fee.

"Junkins backed-off, dismissed his lawsuit, paid everything we claimed and apologized to Von for cursing her on the phone. Roman did it all in just two weeks.

And he’s not an officious stuff-shirt like a lot of the lawyers I’ve met. Has a lot of common sense. A down-to-earth, nice guy.

How big is his firm? Benny asked.

Two lawyers. The firm’s name is Roman & North. I haven’t met his partner.

Sam stretched out his long frame and nodded.

The Junkins fiasco was a lesson well-learned. We don’t deliver to individuals anymore - only to contractors on the job.

Well, that case wasn’t a big deal, Benny noted. Think this Roman guy is up to taking on whoever’s threatening us?

Yep. No doubt about it.

Okay. Do what you think best, Benny said. I’ll go with whatever you decide.

I’ll call his office today and make an appointment, Sam said as he stood. And I’ll talk to our customers and reassure them there’s nothing to the rumors.

Good. Let me know how things go, Benny said, shook Sam’s hand and left, saying goodbye to Von on the way out.

~~~

Somebody’s playing games, Sam reassured each customer he reached on the telephone that afternoon. "There’s nothing to the rumors.

"B&W Concrete and I are in Betterton to stay. Everything’s fine with us.

We’ve treated you right haven’t we? Delivered quality concrete at a fair price?

Yeah, but where’s all this badmouthing coming from? a customer replied. Has somebody got it in for you?

I don’t know, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. You can count on it. If you hear any more rumors, I would appreciate your calling me.

What about the threats, Von asked between Sam’s calls to customers.

"Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.

I don’t like anybody messing with my business, he muttered as he dialed another customer. "I’m going to find out who’s behind this foolishness.

Nobody can or will say who told them about the rumors, he told Von after several calls. I’d better call Mr. Roman’s office, he said and punched in the telephone number.

Law offices of Roman and North, the familiar and pleasant voice greeted. This is Anna.

Anna, this is Sam Workman. May I speak to Mr. Roman?

Hello, Mr. Workman, Anna Holcomb, the firm’s secretary, responded. He’s in trial and won’t be in the office until tomorrow morning. Would you like to leave a message?

I need to make an appointment as soon as possible.

He can see you tomorrow morning. Is ten o’clock convenient?

That’s fine. I’ll be there. Thank you.

~~~

The rest of the day, Sam gathered his thoughts and what information he could give Roman that might help the him figure out who made the threatening calls, who wrote the note, and who was spreading the malicious rumors.

Von made a tape recording of the office telephone message. Sam wrote down the substance of the rumors his customers told him they received over the telephone and by word-of-mouth and when.

It’s not much, but it’s all we’ve got, he told Von.

I hope it’s enough, she said and nervously twisted her short dark hair.

I didn’t tell Mr. Roman much about B&W when he represented us in the Junkins matter, Sam continued. He’ll probably want to know more about us this time so we need to get that information together and organized.

Sam was primed to tell the lawyer everything he knew.

CHAPTER 2 – ROMAN & NORTH

Good morning, Anna cordially greeted Sam Wednesday morning. "Please have a seat. Mr. Roman will see you shortly.

Would you like some coffee?

That’ll be great. I’ll get it if you’ll show me where it is, Sam answered and stood, but Anna was already on her way to the coffee room.

Just black, he called after her and sat down in one of the upholstered leather chairs in the reception area and renewed his admiration for the attractive office.

Here you are, Anna said as she handed Sam a steaming cup and a napkin.

Hope you’ll excuse my muddy boots and jeans, Sam offered. Had to go out on a job and didn’t have time to change clothes.

You’re fine. Don’t give it another thought.

Sam liked Anna and remembered how helpful and accommodating she was during the Junkins case. Besides, she was very attractive with dark hair neatly fixed to accentuate her almond-shaped brown eyes, even teeth, and full lips.

She’s about thirty-five, he silently guessed as she sat at her desk and resumed work on a computer. Wonder how she can type all the work put out by two lawyers, answer the telephone, make appointments, and keep everything running?

Just then, the outer office door opened. Sam was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the svelte, professional-looking young woman who entered the reception area. Neatly and tastefully dressed, the tall blonde carried a briefcase of a hue which nearly matched her tan.

Wow! Sam’s inner voice exclaimed.

Any messages? she asked at Anna’s desk.

She must be Roman’s partner, he reasoned.

The woman turned her face and clear blue eyes toward Sam and smiled then walked down the hall and entered another room, her office Sam assumed.

Is she Mr. Roman’s partner? Sam asked in a near-whisper.

Yes. Debbie North. I should have introduced you, Anna replied and smiled. I forgot you haven’t met her.

Penn’s private office door opened, and Roman stepped out and toward Sam.

Morning, Sam, the dapper, salt-and-pepper haired attorney greeted him like an old friend. How’ve you been?

With a boyish grin Sam stood to shake hands.

Penn and he were of about the same height, an inch or two over six feet. Their lean, athletic builds were similar.

Been delivering any more gravel out in the boondocks? Roman asked and smiled, his face a pleasant countenance.

Nope. Learned my lesson, Sam replied and laughed.

Come in and bring me up to date, Penn urged and motioned toward his private office.

Appreciate your seeing me on such short notice, Sam said as he sat in one of the dark blue leather chairs in front of Roman’s large mahogany desk covered with files and papers.

I just saw your law partner. Haven’t met her. She came in while I was waiting. She’s an attractive addition, not that you needed that with Anna here.

You’re right on both counts. I’ll introduce you two later, Penn said as he sat in the chair next to Sam and placed a legal pad on his lap.

"Debbie joined the firm awhile back. A heck of a trial lawyer - smart, diligent, and jurors love her. If you play tennis, don’t challenge her. She’s very good. Beats me every time we play.

By the way, we haven’t had that dinner we talked about after the Junkins case. You were going to get a date and call me so Ashley could meet you.

I apologize, Sam replied. Things have been kinda hectic since then.

"No problem. Maybe we can do that soon.

Tell me what’s going on, Penn suggested.

I’ve got troubles, Sam began and nervously twisted in his seat. I’m getting threatening phone calls and notes telling me my company and I better leave town. The caller said if we didn’t get out of Betterton, I would wish I had. The caller to the office said I could be killed if I didn’t.

He again shifted in his chair and crossed one long leg over the other.

Didn’t pay much attention to it until somebody left this in the company mail box yesterday, Sam said as he handed the note to Penn.

You think this is from your competition? Roman asked after reading it.

"That’s what I thought at first, but I don’t know. Ollie Monroe and Dan King, the owners of the other two ready-mix plants here, should know they would be the first people I suspect. They’ve poured on a couple of jobs I’ve worked on but in different areas of the projects. Otherwise, I’ve rarely seen either of them except at social functions.

"Lately we’ve outbid both of them fairly consistently and landed some big jobs.

"One or maybe both of them might have started the false rumors about our concrete and financial problems, but neither name has been mentioned when I talk to some of our customers who’ve heard the gossip.

I know who Dan King and Ollie Monroe are, but I’m not acquainted with either, Penn commented as he jotted down their names.

You had a run-in with anybody lately?

No. Only serious difficulty recently was with Junkins, and you already know about that. I don’t believe he would go so far as to threaten me. You taught him a lesson he won’t forget. He won’t mess with me because he knows you’ll be after him if he does, Sam said and smiled with pleasure at the thought of Penn spoiling Junkins’ plans to beat B&W out of some money and a load of gravel.

I have the usual problems, I guess. Nothing I think would cause somebody to threaten my life.

Any recent jobs gone sour?

A couple when I couldn’t satisfy the customer no matter what I did. They were individuals and the jobs were small. I don’t think the threats came from any of them.

Stepped on any big toes?

None I know about.

Sam moved his chair back some and stretched out his jean-clad legs in front of him.

"There are several people with the Betterton building and zoning departments who tried to crawfish on their commitments to us when we applied for a business license and building permit for our ready-mix plant. My guess is somebody in Betterton leaned on them hard to try to keep us from coming here, but that was over six years ago.

You think I should go to the police?

They’ll ask the same questions I’m asking, Penn responded. Guess they could fingerprint the note. We know it already has your fingerprints on it. Mine too. Anybody else handled it?

My business partner, Benny Boothe, and Von in my office. She found it in our office mailbox.

No envelope?

Just the folded note.

Be sure to save it, put it in a plastic bag or an envelope, Penn suggested. "And keep the answering machine message.

Is there anything big coming up around here related to the concrete business which might prompt these threats? Penn continued.

I’ve heard rumors Betterton may soon land a large industry or two, but nobody at the industrial development office or chamber of commerce will talk about it.

Anna knocked on the door and looked in. I brought more coffee, she announced and entered with a decanter, sugar, and cream on a tray.

Thanks, Penn said as she set it on Penn’s desk, smiled, and left the room.

While we’re drinking coffee tell me about B&W. We didn’t go into much detail about it before. Fill me in on what’s happening in the concrete business here. I’d like to know more about your background.

It’s a long story.

It can’t be very long. You’re young, and I have plenty of time.

Sam began.

Well, I’m really lucky. Enjoy my work. I figure I can’t ask for more. The fact I own half-interest in the company is icing on the cake, Sam began, his voice now relaxed.

Except for college and working in Huntsville in the concrete business, I’ve lived in Betterton all my life. Graduated high school here, attended Georgia Tech, and signed up for Army ROTC. Was all set to go on active duty after graduation, but in my senior year I tore up my knee in a touch football game and couldn’t pass the physical, Sam related and frowned as he rubbed his right knee.

How and when did you get into the concrete business?

During the summer before my senior year in college, I worked as a laborer for Boothe Concrete Company in Huntsville. Benny Boothe was my roommate at Tech. His father owns that company and offered me a summer job, Sam related enthusiastically.

I did a variety of things there - mixed concrete, learned concrete testing technology, drove trucks, poured concrete, operated the ready-mix machinery at the plant, and got into sales. I met and got to know many of the customers throughout the area, even over here in Betterton.

What did you study at Tech? Penn interrupted.

Industrial Management. Benny did too. We were in the same Army ROTC unit and roomed together our last two years.

What’s that grin all about? Penn asked as he set his cup down.

Thinking about Benny makes me laugh.

How so?

Well, he kept me hopping trying to keep him out of trouble. He was always into something. Nothing serious. Girls, mostly. He tried to go steady with three co-eds at the same time. They ganged up on him. To describe Benny as a character, at least in college, would be an understatement. He’s a scoundrel but means well. But you don’t want to hear about that.

He’s your business partner. I’d like to know more about your and his backgrounds, Penn responded.

Sam cleared his throat and tried to organize his thoughts.

The intercom on Penn’s desk buzzed, and Penn reached across the desk, said Pardon the interruption, and put the receiver to his ear.

Yes, he said then covered the mouthpiece with his hand. Please excuse me. I need to take a call in the library. When I get back tell me all about B&W, Penn said as left the office.

~~~

Sam was glad for more time to organize what to say.

He took a deep breath, tried to relax, and looked around Roman’s spacious office. He again admired the matched black-and-gold-framed diplomas and certificates mounted on the wall behind Roman’s desk. There was his college diploma dated in 1981 from the University of Alabama. The second was a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree certifying his graduation in 1984 from the University of Virginia School of Law, and the third, Roman’s admission to the Alabama State Bar Association the same year.

Several certificates attesting to his scholastic awards and professional certifications and memberships were neatly mounted and arranged on the wall to the left of his desk.

Sam’s thoughts strayed back to his college days as images and events flashed through his mind in no particular order of importance.

He was startled when Penn re-entered the office.

Sorry about the interruption, he said and resumed his seat next to Sam.

Tell me more about B&W, yourself, and Benny Boothe.

"Most of it about Benny happened in college and, of course, since we went in business together.

In college, he was the ladies’ man. I wanted to date more but had to study all the time. Books didn’t come easy for me.

Sam again grinned, and his blue eyes danced with excitement as he added, but we had a great time.

Tell me about your concrete business.

Sam leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath before he began.

Benny and I graduated Tech in 1996. He went back home to Huntsville to work with his father at Boothe Concrete. I had several good job offers in Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, and in some other sections of the country. Gave them a lot of thought, but I wanted to settle in North Alabama. I had learned a lot working at Boothe Concrete and wanted to get into the ready-mix business. The position that most interested me was with that company so I applied there before talking to others.

He took a sip of coffee then continued.

Benny’s father told me he planned to open a ready-mix plant in or near Betterton. He had a lot of business over this way, but, economically, it was too far from Huntsville to deliver concrete here. A lot of construction and industrial expansion was taking place in this area. He wanted to be closer to it.

Sam stood and stiffly walked behind his chair and leaned on its back with his elbows.

"I wondered what Mr. Booth was leading up to.

"He said I’d done a good job with his company during the summer and offered me a position there. He told me that when the new company was up and running, I would be working over here. He said I could purchase half of the new company’s stock, and Benny would own the rest.

I was shocked he would be so generous. I knew any other job I took would mean a lot of years before I could buy into a going business or save enough money to start my own.

Penn nodded for Sam to continue.

"I considered it a day or so, but I’d already made up my mind. Mr. Boothe’s offer was, by far, the most promising prospect. I took it.

The day after I started to work there, he called me into his office. That scared me. I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong, but then I was real new.

‘If things go as planned,’ he said, ‘the new plant in Betterton should be operating in a year or so. Until then you need to learn the market and become acquainted with our customers and suppliers. We have many accounts now as far west as Betterton, and we want to keep them and cultivate more,’ he said. ‘You can do a lot to lay a good public relations base there. And we need you to do a follow-up market survey in the Betterton area to verify the data we already have.’

Sam returned to his chair.

"I moved back here the next week, commuted to Huntsville and worked day and night gathering data and information for the market analysis and making contacts at every opportunity.

"I determined there was a large and promising market for a first class ready-mix plant in the projected nine-county area with Betterton and Caine County at its center. That hasn’t changed.

B&W, short for Boothe and Workman, was incorporated about three years after I began working for Mr. Boothe.

When did you get an ownership interest in B&W?

"With a lot of hard work, B&W became operational just short of three years after I started with Boothe Concrete. I received the stock a month after that.

"One morning right after we started our operation here, Mr. Boothe walked into my office and handed me a check for twenty thousand dollars.

"‘You earned this,’ he said. ‘You’ve proven very valuable to my company and have done excellent work in getting set up here in Betterton.’

"When I recovered my senses, I told him I wanted to apply the check toward purchasing my stock in B&W. He said that was fine, and he would personally finance the balance of the purchase price with an interest-free loan.

"On top of that, B&W adopted a generous fringe benefit and retirement plan. Benny told me I got a good deal because I did most of the work getting the company started here and was going to continue doing it.

I’d already figured that out, Sam added and chuckled.

How did you do in the early stages? Must have been difficult getting started in a new location, Penn cued.

"We hit the ground running. Our plant here was completed on fifty acres up near the river with plenty of room to expand. We began with the latest in technology and equipment and took every feasible job to become known in the construction business in this area.

"Betterton was primed for an aggressive ready-mix company that would work hard and satisfy its customers. From what I learned while doing the market survey, King’s and Monroe’s plants were complacent. We knew B&W could compete with them and come out ahead in most instances.

And we have.

Penn jotted notes as Sam talked.

"We stand behind our concrete and have the business and confidence of most of the homebuilders and contractors around here. Soon after our operation began, many of them switched to us from Dan King’s and Ollie Monroe’s companies. We’ve built an excellent reputation here. Our customers say B&W does a great job and on time. We have landed some huge jobs.

I’m proud of that. We’re operating forty-two trucks and have ordered twelve more. And we’re expanding our market area.

Sam stopped talking and sat up straighter.

"Now somebody’s spreading rumors we’re in financial trouble, and our concrete’s defective. And there are the threatening calls and the note. It’s gonna really hurt our business if we don’t get it stopped. Customers are calling me and asking about the calls they’ve received and rumors they’ve heard.

Frankly, I don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m here.

Sam stood again and walked around the room.

Have you married since we last talked? Penn asked.

Nope. I’m wed to B&W. She takes all my time.

Do you have any other business interests here?

No, and I’m not about to let some crackpot ruin it.

Does Benny participate in the B&W operation?

As much as he can. He works full-time at Boothe Concrete in Huntsville and also has an interest in it. He takes care of our accounting and some other financial details. He’s over here a couple of afternoons a week. We have a business meeting once a month to review and plan.

Is he married?

Yes. The year before we started the company he married Vivian Summers, his high school sweetheart. Her family’s wealthy. She first married a guy who became a hopeless alcoholic, and they divorced a few years back. Viv is a sharp lady, real outspoken, and keeps Benny on the straight and narrow. Hope you will meet them.

You’ve given me a lot of information and some insight into B&W’s history and operation. That will help if this thing goes any farther, Penn said.

"From what you’ve told me, I believe you should sit tight for the time being and continue trying to scotch the rumors. If you think you or anyone in your company is in danger, you should go to the police. If you decide to do that, Detective Dale Harrison at the Betterton Police Department is the man to see. I can call him if you decide to do that.

If the threats continue, you should take action. Either go to the police or perhaps hire a private investigator to find out who’s making the threats, writing the notes, and starting the rumors. The threats are serious crimes - felonies. The false rumors give rise to a civil law action for defamation as do the threats for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

I told Benny I wanted your opinion before doing anything else. He agreed. I’ll wait and see what happens. If I get another threat, I’ll be back. Is that alright?

That’s fine.

Thanks again for seeing me, Sam said apologetically as he stood.

I’m glad to help.

Sam started to leave when Penn said, Wait. If you have time, I’d like you to meet Debbie. Let me see if she’s available.

Yes. I’m anxious to meet her.

I’ll be right back.

In a few seconds the door opened, and Debbie North preceded Penn into the office.

Sam Workman meet Debbie North, my partner.

Nice to meet you, Sam said and grinned like a young lad first discovering the female of the species.

My pleasure, Debbie responded. Penn has spoken fondly of you.

And of you, Sam responded.

If your case goes farther, Debbie will be working on it, too, Penn commented.

That’s fine, Sam said, but I hope that’s not necessary. I’d prefer taking all of you out to dinner.

We’ll see if that can be arranged, Penn agreed.

Thanks, again. It’s nice to meet you, Debbie, Sam said and walked into the outer office.

Appreciate the coffee, Anna, he stopped and added as he passed her desk. It was good.

CHAPTER 3 – THE ODD COUPLE

I don’t like it, Ollie Monroe growled as he trolled for sailfish from the stern of his sixty-five-foot yacht in the Gulf of Mexico fifty miles south of New Orleans in late April on the same day as Sam’s appointment with Roman & North.

He chewed a smelly, soggy stump of an unlighted cigar. Both fat hands at the end of stubby arms firmly gripped the fishing rod handle inserted in the leather harness strapped around him and below his distended belly that bulged from under the stretched bottom of a filthy t-shirt with cut-out arm holes. Monroe’s short legs barely allowed his toes to touch the lacquered teakwood deck to which his fishing chair’s swiveled base was bolted. The rush of the wind from the bow blew sparse greasy hair toward his forehead but failed to cover his nearly bald pate.

We’ve sat around on our butts and let things get away from us, he growled to his guest over the throaty roar of the powerful twin marine engines.

Dan King was seated in the fishing chair on Ollie’s left.

Time was, and not so long ago, when we had all the ready-mix business in the Caine County area, Monroe continued and turned his moon-shaped, sunburned face toward King. His porcine eyes squinted as he faced the glare of the sun in the western sky.

Me and you both worked hard to get ahead, too hard to let it all go down the drain. There’s enough business back home for both of us if we work things jus’ right. We can get back on top if we play it smart.

Ollie turned further in King’s direction and, with his free hand, gestured at the yacht upon which they cruised.

This baby’s one of the fruits of bein’ a tough businessman. I aim to keep makin’ the kinda dough that bought it. Don’t know much about what you college boys call the ‘free enterprise system.’ I go by my own rule, ‘Do unto others before they do it to you,’ and I get by pretty good.

Ollie stared at Dan King, medium to lean in build, in his late forties, neatly dressed in white shirt, shorts, jogging shoes, and cotton porkpie hat. He didn’t respond to Ollie but continued to stare at the churning wake through large, mirrored sunglasses.

Took over my company from the old man, worked like a dog, Ollie continued, "and grew with the area.

"Back then, Betterton was small, not like it is now. Despite your know-it-all, stuck-up friends who turned up their noses at me and thought they were too good to give me their business, I hung in there and made the grade.

I know they say I’m crooked and a rotten businessman, but they don’t tell me that to my face. Don’t have the guts. Now a lot of ‘em call me to pour their concrete. You know why, Dan? Simple. ‘Cause I’m cheaper than you and don’t mind dealing with the little guy.

King, nearly imperceptibly, shook his head, took a deep breath, and continued staring astern.

Yeah, I been doin’ great, Ollie continued, paused and frowned then louder exclaimed, ‘til now.

Come on, Ollie! King abruptly responded in a gruff voice, we both know the reasons for your success, then swiveled his chair toward Monroe and faced him.

Political influence, he snapped, bought and paid for with your so-called ‘contributions’ to the politicians. You and I both know they were bribes.

The words were like slaps in Ollie’s face.

Dan rotated his chair to again face astern while his inner voice complained, I’ve put up with your filthy, ill-mannered, despicable self. You curse every other word. That putrid cigar stink covers you like molting skin. I smell it even out here. I’m one of the few people who associates with or tolerates you because I have to keep up with what you’re doing and watch my back when you’re involved. How long do you think you would be in business if I decided to push you out?

That ain’t nice, Ollie commented with a knowing grin that hinted he read King’s thoughts.

Takes money to make money? Monroe recited his oft-repeated cliché that made Dan wince.

"Me and you make a pretty good team. We watch out for one another. Right?

Gets quicker and better results than honesty and hard work, Ollie’s lecture continued.

You don’t know anything about either, King thought and frowned.

"I ain’t like you, Dan, one of the country club and chamber of commerce gang, your buddies, the silver-spoon bunch. You got it made what with being a former mayor and big shot politician. I don’t hold that against you. But remember, I know a lot about you, too. You ain’t all that pure.

‘Mr. Manipulator,’ Ollie laughed. Ain’t that what they call you?

I knew coming down here was a mistake, Dan silently acknowledged.

You and me still gonna work together. Right? Ollie jabbered.

KingCo is your company, the oldest and largest in our neck of the woods, Ollie continued. And I carry a pretty big stick with a bunch of the contractors, too. If we’re smart, me and you can control things, Dan, like old times.

King didn’t respond.

Now’s the time if we’re ever gonna do it, Ollie continued. Guess you heard ‘bout the big plant coming to Betterton. And the hospital’s gonna double its size, he added.

What plant? Where? When? Dan asked in rapid fire, suddenly interested. Who told you?

You’ll find out soon enough, Ollie mouthed around the leaking cigar as the wind blew a dark brown, musky-smelling glob of tobacco juice from his mouth to join assorted stains on his filthy muscle shirt, oily baggy shorts, and sunburned stumpy legs.

"Important thing is that me and you got one helluva chance to make some big bucks. This time I ain’t gonna let it slip by me like a bunch of other jobs did while we sat around twiddling our thumbs and let Workman get ‘em.

We’d better get together on this, Ollie pressed. "We know what strings to pull. Every time somebody has tried to bring in competition, we always blocked it one way or another. That is ‘til Workman showed up.

We gotta figure out a way to handle him.

King nodded slightly without comment.

You did a first-class job eight years ago torpedoing that Birmingham bunch’s business license application ‘cause they couldn’t get a zoning variance, Ollie recalled. "‘Course nobody told ‘em your first cousin was chairman of the zoning board.

And the other losers a couple of years before that didn’t know what hit ‘em when all those concerned citizens showed up at the public hearing and fought against putting a ready-mix plant near the new apartment complex out east of town, Monroe added and heartily pounded a hand on the arm of the fishing chair.

"That guy from your plant did a dandy piece of squelching that by goin’ door-to-door scaring all those people and getting ‘em down to city hall. Hell, they didn’t live anywhere near where the dumbbells wanted to put the plant, but it nearly made those bozos on the planning commission mess their pants. Had ‘em convinced the plant would create all sorts of dust and stuff and ruin the new residential area around there and get everybody stirred up.

Me ‘an you both knew your plant was closer to those apartments than where those imbeciles wanted to set up, but nobody reminded the city council.

King impatiently removed his hat and raked his fingers through wiry, graying hair as Monroe continued.

Yes sir. That sent out the word to anybody thinking about bringing another ready-mix plant to Betterton that it just ain’t gonna happen. Forget it!

Ollie coughed and spit a fat blob of tobacco juice overboard. The gusty crosswind blew several brown globs of the putrid mess on King’s shirt and shorts. Dan’s facial expression registered disgust.

How’d Workman slip in on us? Ollie rattled on.

Dan suddenly became animated, faced Monroe and replied, Because Workman was smart, did his homework, and kept his mouth shut. Took it step-by-step. He quietly got assurances of approval of a business license and location from those clowns at city hall and documented everything before I knew about it. By the time I found out, it was too late to stop him. It was a done deal.

"Yeah, and those clowns at city hall were your insiders, Dan, and they let us down.

Workman got most of my good customers right off the bat, Ollie continued. I did everything I could think of to stop him.

As I did, King added. "I even tried to hire him, offered to double what he’s making. Promised him the moon and tried to convince him his company couldn’t make it in Betterton. He ignored me.

Now, rumors are spreading around Betterton that B&W’s in financial trouble because of the poor quality of his concrete, King said. Did you start ‘em?

That’s more your style, Dan. I don’t deal in no rumors. I act.

Dan gave a hint of a nod in agreement and turned back to fishing and silently questioned, Wonder how Ollie found out about those jobs? He’s smarter than I thought, but I’ll get him and Workman. I’m already working on it.

When King returned to his room at the hotel that evening, he dialed a Betterton cell phone.

~~~

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to announce the immediate future location in Betterton of an internationally-known industry, a new citizen of which we are all very proud, Mayor Jonas Hartman ceremoniously proclaimed at a called press conference on the top landing of the steps in front of the municipal building two weeks after Monroe’s and King’s fishing trip .

Television cameras and reporters, newspaper reporters, and photographers busily recorded and reported the event.

Arnold Swinson, president of Connors Engines, sat in the front row of chairs with the members of the Betterton City Council. Harvey Wellbourne, Chairman of the Betterton-Caine County Industrial Development Association, and Caine County Commission Chairman Boyd Wheeler were seated to their left. Alabama State Representative Win Williams and Bennett Beauchamp, the Executive Director of the Betterton-Caine County Chamber of Commerce, stood behind the row of chairs.

After a few more remarks, Mayor Hartman introduced Swinson to energetic applause.

We at Connors Engines are indeed pleased to officially announce the decision to join you good folks here in Betterton. It’s good to be in Alabama, in Caine County!

The large crowd cheered.

Swinson gave a brief history of Connors Engines and outlined the plans for the construction and operation of the new plant.

Applause frequently interrupted his remarks.

We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship among Betterton, Caine County, the state of Alabama, and Connors Engines. This is the beginning of a great era for all of us, he declared to loud cheering and clapping.

Several brief welcoming and congratulatory speeches by local dignitaries concluded the ceremony.

The following day The Betterton Bulletin carried the feature front-page article reporting the engine company’s plans. It read in part:

Connors Engines president, Arnold Swinson, described plans to build a $250 million plant in Betterton to manufacture industrial engines.

The plant will initially employ nine hundred workers upon completion of the first of three phases.

Total employment will approximate three thousand.

The Alabama Legislature and the Betterton City Council plan a bond issue with which to finance site acquisition, preparation, and plant construction.

State Representative ‘Win’ Williams assured prompt action at the legislative level, as have the mayor, the city council, and the county commission locally.

Construction bid invitations on phase one will go out soon.

Groundbreaking will be in late June or early July.

~~~

The following week, another announcement appeared in the newspaper and on local television stations describing hospital expansion plans:

Dr. Brian Moody, Chairman of the Board of Citizens’ Memorial Hospital, today announced plans to soon begin construction of a five-story addition.

‘The project, when completed, will more than double the hospital’s present size and enable us to better provide first rate medical care for our citizens,’ Moody said.

An oncology floor and another for a complete psychiatric clinic are included in the plans.

Two floors will be dedicated to general surgery patients, and the ground floor will be used for administrative offices, diagnostic and treatment departments, and additional patient rooms.

It is a $150 million plus project to be financed by the sale of tax-free municipal bonds.

Dr. Moody said the project will soon be let for bids.

The Betterton Bulletin devoted front-page space in four successive daily editions in pointing out the positive effects these two developments would have on the area.

The last article, in part, boasted:

These additions will help make the Betterton-Caine County area the economic Mecca of Alabama and one of the strongest in the South. Profits will soar. Unemployment will be only for those who choose it.

The future economic outlook is, indeed, promising.

For a week this news dominated talk in corporate board rooms, smaller businesses, family dinner tables, restaurants and coffee shops throughout the city and county.

The chamber of commerce officials were elated.

CHAPTER 4 – DISTRACTIONS

One night during the week following the announcement of the hospital expansion, Vivian and Benny Boothe drove to Betterton for dinner with Sam.

Business is great, Sam, but you don’t do anything but work. You’re neglecting your social life, Benny needled. When’s the last time you had a date?

Yeah, we worry about you, Vivian added before Sam could answer. You’ll be an old man soon and won’t have anyone to take care of you and warm your bed.

You may be right, Sam laughed and nodded. Don’t have time to get involved. B&W has a monopoly on it. Right now, I’m worried about the threats, rumors, and winning the bids on the engine plant and hospital addition. Don’t have time for much else.

You’ll be old and worn out before your time, Vivian commented as a worried frown crossed her pretty face.

Viv, I, and a bevy of my former girl friends want to get you romantically, at least socially, involved if it takes all of our time, but you’re not co-operating, Benny cajoled.

I intend to see to it my dear friend, Sam Workman, starts squiring the ladies, Vivian declared with resolution and wagged an index finger at him. At the rate you’re going, your bachelor status will become permanent.

Okay, enough foolishness. Let’s talk business, Sam suggested and looked down at the papers spread in front of him on his apartment breakfast room table.

You know good and well the scarcer you are, the more the ladies want to go out with you, Viv persisted, "yet you keep to your pigheaded self.

‘No distractions,’ I believe is the excuse you gave the last time we had this conversation.

We’re not going into that tonight, Sam countered. We need to talk about the threats and rumors, my meeting with our lawyer, and the big projects.

How can we squelch the bad rumors? Benny asked.

First thing, I’m calling our regular customers and assuring them the rumors aren’t true, Sam answered. "Most of those I’ve called seemed satisfied but some are still a little skittish. I must find out where all the bad talk started. Surely somebody can give me a name or two, but nobody has so far.

If I knew who started them, I’d give them a quick answer to the rumors: Grab your best hold ‘cause you’re in for a fight. B&W’s here to stay.’

I agree with that approach, Benny commented. With all that’s going on, how about my coming over a couple of hours a day?

That would really help, Sam replied. Right now I feel like a firefighter in the middle of a runaway forest fire, not sure where to start fighting it.

For the next hour they discussed the threats, the note, and Sam’s conference with Penn.

We’d better head back home, Benny said, motioned to Vivian, and stood.

I may come with Benny, Vivian announced and chuckled. See if I can’t scrounge a date for you. Might even bring one with me.

Can it, Viv, Benny said and frowned, took her arm, and started toward their car.

Thanks for the dinner, he called out over his shoulder as they left Sam’s apartment and walked toward their car.

Sam shook his head as his company drove away.

Viv doesn’t give up.

~~~

Early in the morning two days later, before Sam and Benny began calling on some of B&W’s regular customers to reassure them about the false rumors, they went to The Hot Biscuit café for breakfast.

As they entered Sam acknowledged several hearty greetings from some of the patrons.

Hi, Sam, came from several different tables and the counter.

Mornin’ boys. Great day to be in God’s world and pourin’ concrete, he responded and motioned Benny ahead of him toward an empty table.

As they walked, Benny quickly glanced around at the number of tables in the dining area. One end was separated by a service counter and several swivel stools. Behind the counter were large coffee pots and other restaurant equipment resting on custom-designed cabinets and several waitresses busily placing orders or receiving filled ones to serve patrons. Swinging double doors opened into the large kitchen from which the appetizing aromas of frying bacon and sausage wafted.

Benny admired the early American décor and the tables finished in rich walnut. The dark, highly polished, tongue-and-groove oak flooring glistened. Authentic area hooked rugs lent an air of coziness and warmth.

This is the cleanest and most welcoming restaurant I’ve been in, he commented as he and Sam took their seats.

Hello, Sam, a soft, distinctively female voice greeted from nearby.

Morning, Amber, Sam answered with a hint of a blush and smiled. He was tempted to add, You look great today, but his shyness let it pass as she moved to other tables.

Benny tapped his partner’s arm.

Who is she? he asked and nodded toward her.

Amber Willis, Sam answered and grinned. She and I were in high school together.

She’s a knockout, Benny whispered. That body, red hair, and those green eyes are something else! She married?

Nope.

Well, dummy, what are you waiting for? I’ll tell Viv your prospects over here are a lot better than in Huntsville.

"Easy, Benny. Amber and I dated a little in high school. Things just didn’t click between us.

Several years ago she was engaged to a guy over at the University of Georgia. Tragically, he drowned while scuba diving in the Bahamas. It shook her up pretty bad. My friends here say it took her a long time to get over it.

How’d she wind up working in a café?

"Her father and mother owned and ran this