Chapter 57
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire
Unbeknownst to Grifton, the entire staff of the orphanage had varying levels of psychic abilities. On this particular day, two of the most powerful telepaths, Anne Greaves and the widow Shamus, happened to be in the nursery with all the newly arrived infants.
As it turned out, the most common ability between all of them was telepathic communication. A few of them were only receivers, but all of them could transmit and hold conversations. Five could become bridges between the others to maintain constant contact.
As a result, everyone realized that Grifton spotted a few critical weaknesses when it came to running the orphanage. Now there was quite an argument taking place with no one able to take a detached point of view.
The widow Shamus frowned. "Of all times, this is the worst, for the staff to become divided in whether they should remain on permanently or not." There was an edge to her voice that caused more than a few of the nannies to hush and look a bit ashamed of each other.
Well, she understood their point of view. Anne rubbed her forehead with a grimace. "I'm a bit worried, to be honest." She admitted with a sigh. "I'm well aware of the fact that the orphanage has been running in a deficit." She shook her head. "I was about to seek another type of work to supplement my income." She still had family to care for, even if it was only her parents. They were getting up there in age after all.
"I can't say as I blame you for looking into alternatives should yet another crisis such as this occur anytime soon." The widow shrugged. "You have every right to be concerned."
Anne was relieved to hear that the widow commiserated. "It isn't just me that is affected. There are at least three major businesses that are experiencing shortages and losses financially that shouldn't have happened." Maybe it was bandits, maybe there was something else afoot, Anne just didn't know anymore.
"Hmm, you do have a point." The widow Shamus nodded. "I've heard rumors that some of our highly profitable businesses not only want to expand, they want to leave this part of the countryside completely."
Oh dear, she hadn't known about that possibility. What to do? Most of them supplied the material for all the uniforms everyone wore within the Orphanage and the schoolhouse--not to mention the everyday clothing as well. Anne winced. "That would be catastrophic." They desperately needed more staff, which was an undeniable fact.
The widow sighed. "To a certain degree yes, however, think about the future." She pointed out. "While it is true that several independent businesses are closely linked to an onsite farm with the Orphanage."
Anne frowned thoughtfully. She immediately understood. "I can see why the owners are becoming resentful."
"Yes, it is because over half of the profits from the majority of those businesses directly funded the Orphanage's operation." The widow spread her hands. "The other percentage paid the workers in all the businesses and accounted for the budget that kept everything solvent." She shook her head. "There really isn't enough left over for the business owners to have for their families."
Now that shouldn't have happened. Anne frowned. "When did all of that change to that sort of scenario?" It felt now that funds might've been embezzled.
The widow grimaced. "This is why there are three accounts and attorneys managing any surplus. It is a way to prevent theft." She shook her head. "Though I'm wondering whether that is working out or not."
hmm, so an internal investigation would have to be launched. Anne shook her head. "I'm at a loss as to how something of that magnitude can be changed to prevent further loss and rising of resentment into an outright riot."
The widow glanced at Anne. "Oh, something is being done about it now." She confirmed. "Garnet already instigated an investigation when she realized what was happening. All we can do is wait to find the results."
Anne scowled. "So frustrating." She wasn't good at waiting on anything. Not when her livelihood was at stake.
The widow grunted. "I think for now, we need to set up a separate room for any more newcomers." She glanced at the door. "Well, hello Madam Murray."
Madam Murray herself came to this place? Stunned Anne looked at the doorway.
Indeed, Takesha Murray arrived and was advancing into the nursery. "Everyone who isn't working on putting away supplies, stop what you're doing and immediately go wash your hands and faces. I have masks for you to put on." She obviously knew it was too late to stop the spread of illness between the children. However, when it came to adults, some measures could be taken. "I already know what afflicts the newest arrivals and I will administer their medication right now." Her gaze took in the other babies. "How well is the record-keeping here?"
Anne blinked. "All of them are updated daily." She informed the Madam. "However, I've yet to see anything about them." She indicated Grifton and the other three. "All of the infants here have already received immunity shots. Though I suppose they may need something different now."
Takesha frowned. "Are there any here that have draconic blood in their background."
Draconian lineage? Anne blinked. "Not so far as I'm aware. However, I only started here recently. I haven't familiarized myself with all the latest records."
The widow held up her hand. "We haven't had any arrivals with draconian blood in the last five years. Grifton Tinroy and his companions are the first ones with such a split of fifty percent that I've viewed in a long time." She lowered her hand. "There is a possibility that we're dealing with espionage, or so I've heard." The widow shrugged. "That, however, I will have to leave to more capable minds and heads to investigate."
Takesha nodded. "I must ask that you two ladies also follow the procedures I've outlined."
Anne rose to her feet. She wasn't going to protest anything that might streamline the process to semi-normality in their lives once more. She was rapidly tiring of everything that was going on. Just some peace and quiet would be pleasant.
With the orders dispersed, calmness and rationality were rapidly achieved.