Later, investigators learned that Kyle had allegedly been working with an accomplice outside the state.
The information collected at Rosie’s was linked to unauthorized purchases elsewhere.
Another employee, Trent, admitted that Kyle had paid him to remain silent about suspicious behavior and help discourage certain customers from returning.
I dismissed Trent from his position.
But firing employees wouldn’t repair the damage.
After the officers left, I closed the restaurant for the evening.
I sat on a milk crate in the kitchen, still wearing my thrift-store clothes.
Luis joined me with two cups of coffee.
“I’m sorry, Boss,” he whispered.
“For what?”
“For not telling you sooner.”
I shook my head.
“You tried, Luis. I was the one who didn’t listen.”
I looked toward the framed recipe card above the stove.
“My mother built her life around feeding people. I let someone remove her donation jar and mistreat the customers she would have welcomed.”
