Chapter 21 - THE CALL
Michael didn't answer.
Tyler called again.
Nothing.
Third time.
Voicemail.
Tyler checked the clock.
6:42 p.m.
Michael normally answered.
He called Rachel.
“Where's Dad?”
“At a job.”
“Which one?”
“I don't know. Why?”
Tyler stood outside Mason's compliance office.
“Just asking.”
Rachel paused.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Rachel laughed once.
“You're terrible at lying.”
Tyler looked through the glass door.
Compliance meeting in five minutes.
“I'll call later.”
He hung up.
Then Michael called.
Tyler answered immediately.
“Where are you?”
“Hospital.”
Everything inside Tyler stopped.
“What?”
“I'm fine.”
“What happened?”
“Ladder.”
“What ladder?”
“The kind people fall off.”
“Dad.”
Michael sighed.
“Sprained wrist. Seven stitches. Nothing dramatic.”
Tyler closed his eyes.
“Why didn't Mom know?”
“Because I just called her.”
Tyler leaned against the wall.
“You working tonight?”
“Was.”
“What job?”
Silence.
Tyler knew.
“Wynn?”
Michael didn't answer.
Tyler straightened.
“You took his job?”
“He called the office.”
“After I told him no.”
“He asked for a bid.”
“You knew?”
“Not at first.”
“Then you found out.”
“Yes.”
“And you still took it?”
Michael's tone hardened.
“Tyler.”
“No, you told me not to sign something because I felt like I owed you.”
“And you didn't.”
“Now he hires you?”
“Because my bid was lowest.”
“You believe that?”
Michael went quiet.
That hurt more.
Tyler closed his eyes.
“Dad.”
“I needed the job.”
There it was.
Simple.
Ugly.
Real.
Michael continued.
“Three crews needed work.”
Tyler didn't speak.
“I checked the contract. Standard commercial terms. No Mason language. No requirement involving you.”
“He's using you.”
“Maybe.”
“And you're okay with that?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Michael's voice was tired.
“Because sometimes a bad person can offer legitimate work.”
Tyler stared at the compliance-office door.
“And if it isn't legitimate?”
“Then I walk.”
“You said that about Merritt.”
“No.”
Michael's voice sharpened.
“I walked from Merritt because he was buying access to you.”
A pause.
“This contract buys flooring.”
Tyler said nothing.
Michael softened.
“You don't have to like it.”
“I don't.”
“I know.”
Tyler looked through the glass again.
“I'm reporting him.”
Silence.
Then Michael said:
“Okay.”
Tyler waited.
That was all?
“You're not telling me not to?”
“No.”
“It could cost you the contract.”
“Yes.”
Tyler's throat tightened.
“You need that money.”
“Yes.”
Tyler closed his eyes.
Michael continued.
“But you don't owe me your silence.”
May you like
Tyler opened the door.
And walked into compliance.
