Free California Wine by Casey Dawes Page A

done anything. All I’ve tried to do is make things better for you.” Lara’s voice ramped up.
    Was Lara the thief? What was she doing with all those products? Maybe she was innocent and it was someone else. But who? “No, I’m not firing you,” Elizabeth finally said. “But I would like the key.”
    “I won’t be able to open and close for you if I don’t have the key.” Even as she said it, Lara worked the key off her ring.
    “I know that
.” If you’re the thief, you won’t be able to rob me blind, either.
“I’ll manage somehow.”
    Lara handed her the key. “I suppose you don’t want me to help you set up for Monday, either. Since you’re all alone on Mondays, I thought you’d enjoy having everything ready to go.”
    Elizabeth put the key in the pocket of her jeans. “Thanks for … for … coming in to help, Lara. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
    “Okay.” Lara’s eyes scanned the rows of boxes on the shelves. She moistened her lips as if she was going to say something, but turned around instead. Moments later Elizabeth heard the front door slam.
    Lara had left the bag behind.
    Elizabeth leaned against the wall. Thousands of dollars of inventory were missing. Whoever was stealing from her must have been taking inventory for quite a while now. Who else could it be but Lara? She’d given Bobby a key when they were still seeing each other, but he had enough money of his own — he didn’t need hers.
    Should she let Lara go? Would the woman sue her if she did?
    Firing Lara would put a crimp in her plans to launch a line of lotions. She’d have to attend the store every day and do research and planning at night.
    Elizabeth gathered up her lists, turned off the light and walked back into the shop. When she walked out the door, her steps were less lively than when she’d entered.
    • • •
    Elizabeth arrived at the store early Monday morning after a night of restless sleep. She still wasn’t sure what to do about Lara. Why would the woman steal from her? Times were tough, but Elizabeth had given Lara a job, a decent retail wage and a commission on every new client she booked.
    Maybe she should give Lara a chance to explain why she’d taken the products when she came in on Tuesday. What was she doing with them anyway? Reselling them? Was there a black market for anti-acne cream?
    Lara had had an attitude since Elizabeth got back from Italy. Whether or not she was stealing, it was probably time to let her go.
    But it had to be done correctly. When she’d fired her first employee a year after she’d started the shop, she’d wound up paying all kinds of fees and severance pay. She picked up the phone and dialed Anita, her human resource consultant.
    Anita confirmed her fears. “There’s no way you’re going to be able to let Lara go without paying unemployment. Are you willing to let her stay on with an action plan? I’d advise against it, but it’s an option.”
    Elizabeth hesitated. Having Lara around would solve some of her problems, and giving her a second chance would be the kind thing to do.
    “I’d like to think about giving her another opportunity … ” she began.
    “Ugh,” her consultant said. “Please don’t fall victim to ‘nice disease.’ If the woman stole from you, she’s going to do it again. How’s her attitude been?”
    “Not good,” Elizabeth admitted.
    “Then bite the bullet and let her go. Get it over quickly — like ripping off a bandage. You did take her key, right?”
    “Yes, but … ”
    “Good. Let’s get it done. I’ll draft the letter and email it to you.” The phone clicked off.
    Tuesday passed in uncomfortable efficiency. Lara came in promptly at one, her regularly scheduled time. Fortunately, the shop was already busy and Elizabeth didn’t have to spend a lot of time conversing with her assistant. Lara maintained her professionalism, but barely said a word to Elizabeth.
    By noon Wednesday, Elizabeth had everything in place. After the last