Page 12 of Their Sweet Haven
“Aw, you’re playing with me, sir. It’s Frederick Young, Junior Associate Inspector?”
“Ah right, Frederick,” Elias says, nodding along simply not to hurt Fred’s feelings any further.
“I see you’re confirming my closure of this disgusting bakery. Run by a liar and leaving raw chicken out? It’s like she’s trying to give the entire town salmonella poisoning.”
I cross my arms and glare at Fred.
“Quite the contrary, Frederick,” Elias says. “She requested a re-inspection and I granted it. I found no issues that need addressing, and reflecting on past inspections this place has received, that perfectly aligns with its history. I see no reason why this establishment can’t re-open immediately.”
Fred’s demeanor shifts from trying to impress his boss to seething. “You can’t be serious. You can’t just walk in here and undo my work like that.”
“I absolutely can. I’m your superior. That’s literally my job to do so.”
I lean on Elias’s shoulder, a shit-eating grin on my face. Sure, I’m very much happy to have permission to re-open my bakery, but putting a jerk like Fred in his place is awesome too.
Fred’s scowl increases in intensity. “You... you wouldn’t. You went and slept with Mr. Lawson so that he would clear your filthy bakery, didn’t you?”
I glare at him, mouth agape. “You know your charges were a load of crap to begin with. I don’t know what your deal is.”
Fred lifts up his nose. “I just care deeply about protecting the fair people of Smith County. Unlike our commissioner apparently. I’m going to report this to internal affairs, Mr. Lawson. You can’t be taking favors like this! This is corruption!”
“There have been no favors done,” Elias states plainly. “I inspected the establishment. I found no issues. Your report is the aberration in the history of our reports. This is a simple judgment call.”
“No!” Fred stamps his feet. “This won’t stand, Mr. Lawson!”
He storms out of my bakery. What a strange man.
I sigh a long sigh, one of great relief. “I’m glad this is done and out of the way.”
“I suppose you’re going to get to re-opening your bakery?”
“It’s almost noon already. I don’t have my pre-bakes done and I already told Melanie she has the day off. I’m just going to reopen tomorrow and pretend this weird event never happened.”
“Even the part where you met me?” he says, a sly smile.
“Okay, I’ll remember that part. That part is pretty good.”
I address the crowd and apologize for the trouble. Then I announce the re-opening. They disperse, happy that they did something. Even if they did nothing.
“So,” Elias says, draping an arm over my shoulder. “Mind giving me a ride back to Smithport?”
“I don’t mind at all. Let’s go.”
We hop in my truck, and after stopping for a brief lunch, we’re on our way out of town and back toward the city.
“Actually, stop the truck.”
I pause, and obey his request, pulling up to the side of the road. We’re right outside of the Henderson farm. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I just want to take a quick tour of a property I’m considering buying.”
I raise an eyebrow, watching him step out of the truck.
What are you up to, Elias?
FIVE
elias
