I Want To Live

Chapter Twenty

    Bob Harmon watched Graham Stellarman unfurl his body from the Porsche. The man stood and stretched to his full height. Looked pleased at the progress taking place on the abandoned stretch of ground, site of the former veteran’s camp. Work on his low-income apartment buildings was right on schedule. Studs stood like skeletons, bolted to poured concrete foundations. Crews were attaching Tyvek sheeting on the outside. Other men fit Fiberglass batting into the spaces between them. Vinyl siding would overlay the Tyvek. Sheetrock would hide the batting. 

    Graham outsourced his building materials from China. No one knew the actual quality but his foreman, Bob Harmon, felt it was inferior to US standards. Some of the nails broke under the thud of a hammer, punctuated by curses from the construction crew. His boss had hired cheap nonunion labor. It was obvious the men took no pride in their workmanship. The plumbers and electrical contractors were suspect. Building inspectors were bribed to give their approval despite noncompliance with code.

    Bob removed a ball cap to scratch his thick head of sandy hair, wondering why he even worked for Graham. Right, he owed a considerable gambling debt to the man. Bob used have a reputation for excellence as a contractor. Now he built cut-rate apartments. Anyone lacking an eye for quality construction wouldn’t know the difference. Every job helped diminish his debt. The completion bonuses were more than adequate. He liked his lifestyle, so did his wife. An annoying ulcer plagued him. He feared the day the authorities would shut them down.

    Graham strolled over. The men were approximately the same height and fitness. Graham from regular gym attendance. Bob from using the tools of his trade. “Looking good, Bob. It’s going up fast. The money you and I are making on this project .  .  . ” He laughed, clapping Bob on the back. “Stay on track. There’s a five thousand dollar bonus for you.” 

    Bob’s stomach churned as he watched the red Porsche peel away from the site. He pulled a bottle of Tums out of his pocket and thrust a couple into his mouth.