Sedona Law 5 by Dave Daren (e book reader android .TXT) 📗

“That was one reporter, and I think he was just kissing our asses so we wouldn’t sue him for libel,” I said. “Because of what Jerry Steele posted, I might add.”

“Said Mr. Sour Grapes,” Vicki responded.

“You’re ridiculous, both of you,” I mused as I shook my head and laughed. “That’s it, AJ. You’re fired.”

“Good,” AJ said. “I could use a nap.”

We laughed, and then Perry McGrath came in through the door.

“Perry,” I greeted warmly. “Good to see you.”

“Likewise,” he said and rubbed his hands together. Then he took a seat in front of my desk and smiled. “We’ve hired the contractor for the update. We start construction next week.”

“AJ,” I asked. “Could you get that check?”

“Absolutely,” she said and typed away.

“That is something about the contractor,” I told Perry as I turned back to him. “How is it going to fit in the credo of Tranquility?”

“Well,” he sighed, “to tell you the truth, we have lost some momentum in the community.”

“How so?” I asked with a frown.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “A lot of people in our community weren’t supportive of us taking Coconino Brew to the next level. They think we’re a sell out.”

I could definitely see that, I thought so myself. Although, in my mind, it wasn’t a bad thing to make money.

“How do you feel about the expansion?” I asked.

“I think it’s good for us,” he replied, “for the community. I think it will provide a cash flow we’ve never had, and that we can use to do some really great projects. Like, we need updates to all of the living facilities. We need better solar generators if we’re going to get off the grid. There’s a lot we can do for the betterment of the community, if we’ve got the kind of cash flow Earth Market is bringing in for the brew. And I tried to explain this, and a lot of people get it, but not everyone is on board.” He sighed long and shook his head, and a shadow crossed his face. “We lost Rob.”

“Aww, man,” I sympathized.

Rob was Perry’s right hand man on the kombucha factory, and from what it seemed like, the creative mind behind it all. But I could have predicted he’d go. He was a verifiable genius who graduated college at nineteen, and by his early twenties, had been through the work world, saw the strings, and wanted out. He had come to Tranquility for a better way to live. With Perry bringing the business world to the commune, I would have thought he would be the first to go.

“When did he leave?” I asked.

“Oh,” Perry whistled and shook his head, “it wasn’t that simple. I wish it had been. He left in a blaze of glory. Started a mutiny, accused me of taking advantage of people, and it was … ”

He trailed off and studied his hands for a minute before he looked back up.

“It was hard,” he continued. “To have one of your best friends turn on you and stab you in the back like that. And then to bring other people into it, and bring you down, too. It was awful.” He drew a deep breath and smiled. “But it’s over. And we’re moving on. Bigger and better things.”

“Right,” I said with a nod. “So, who have you got managing the factory now?”

“Right now,” he started, “I’m double timing it. But we’ve cut back on blends to keep up with the demand. And Earth Market is shitting a brick on how well our stuff is selling. The brand is selling itself being from a Sedona self-sufficient community. All natural, organic, free trade and all of that. They want to know if we can add anything else to our catalog. But I told them we’ve got our hands full right now. I just don’t have the time to develop new product without Rob, or another manager.”

A light bulb went off in my head, and I locked eyes with Vicki across the room, but she frowned and didn’t follow my thought process.

“Perry,” I said. “What do you think of Jimi Hendrix?”

He looked at me quizzically and then shook his head. “Hendrix? Dude, that guy was kick ass.”

I smiled. “Yeah. I was hoping you would say that. I think I’ve got your new product for you.”

“Really?” he raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

I smiled and wrote down my dad’s name and number. “Call this guy, and ask him about Jimi’s Red Hot, Purple Haze Salsa.”

Perry looked at the number and nodded slowly.

“Moondust Irving,” he said. “Saffron’s husband … your dad.”

I winked. “Give him a call. And do yourself a favor, have Jimi playing in the background when you call.”

He laughed. “Okay. Now, about that check … ”

On cue, AJ presented him an envelope.

“Thanks,” he said and checked the amount. “This will get us started definitely.”

“Don’t spend it all in one place,” I teased.

He laughed and then headed out of the office. “Don’t forget the placenta party.”

“Dude,” I groaned. “You’ve got to think of a better name for that. It’s grossing me out.”

He laughed. “Alright. How about tree party?”

I shrugged. “Better.”

“See you there, then?” he asked.

“See you there,” I agreed, and he left.

“What’s this about Jimi Hendrix?” AJ asked.

I just laughed.

After Perry left the office, we focused our attention on the Jerry Steele case. AJ and Vicki got on the phone and started kicking up dirt on contacts.

“I’m going to go talk to Jerry’s assistant,” Vicki said. “Leila Jaxson is her name.”

I smirked as an Eric Clapton song popped in my head, and I didn’t even notice I started singing it.

“I’m sure everyone she’s ever met has done that to her,” Vicki snorted.

I shrugged. “I’m the guy whose dad