Chapter 4: The Empty Loading Dock

The old shop lease ended at two o'clock that afternoon.

The landlord had given us the loading dock until then, and after that a new tenant's equipment was due.

I got there at eleven forty.

The dock was empty.

My shop manager had packed the last of the fabric by herself, and the cutting table was tagged and half taken apart.

There was no truck, and there were no movers.

She came toward me with the inventory sheet.

"Did the crew call you?"

"No."

"Where's Brett?"

"On another job."

I called the number for Tolbert Builders, and his partner picked up.

"Lorena? I thought you were moving today."

"I am. The truck and crew Brett arranged never came."

"What crew?"

"He said two of his best men."

"They've been at Shelby Maddox's place since seven. They're booked there all day."

My hand tightened on the phone.

"Then send another crew."

"Lorena, I don't have a work order for your move. Brett told me he'd handle it himself."

"He promised me."

"I believe you," he said, and he did sound sorry.

"But I can't pull men off a paying job without a work order."

I hung up and stood among the boxes.

It was eleven fifty-two.

I had no time to wait for my husband to remember his promise.

I called three moving companies.

The first couldn't come until the next day.

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