Page 47 of Tides of Discovery
A hush fell over the shop. Customers at nearby tables turned their heads to tune into the conversation. Jessica froze at the register.
“That’s fake,” I said, my voice tight but steady. “There was no recent inspection. No violation.”
Martin raised an eyebrow, all smug innocence. “Really? Because it looks pretty official to me.”
“It’s a counterfeit. If it was real, by law I’d have to hang it on the wall.” I wiped my hands on a towel and met his gaze head-on. “Anyone can fake a report and post it anonymously.”
Martin’s smile turned predatory as he pocketed his phone. “Fake or not, people are going to see this and wonder what else you’re hiding. Bad publicity spreads faster than good news in a small town like this.” He gestured around the shop with theatrical concern. “This kind of thing is terrible for business, McKay. Your customers are going to start questioning everything: the cleanliness, the quality, whether they can trust what they’re putting in their mouths.”
His voice carried just enough false sympathy to make my skin crawl. “When word gets around about health violations, people are going to look for somewhere safer to get their coffee.” Martin straightened his jacket with obvious satisfaction. “Lucky for them, my shop will be ready to pick up the slack.”
I leaned across the counter and dropped my voice to a growl that vibrated with every ounce of anger coiling inside me. “Get. Out.”
Martin held up his hands, mock surrender in every line of his posture. But the damage was done.
The bell above the door jangled again as he sauntered out and left a trail of suspicion in his wake.
Whispers ignited like dry brush behind him. Customers glanced at each other, some checking their phones, others sliding uneasy looks toward the counter where I stood. My heart pounded.
Jessica moved to my side, her face pale. “Coop…”
“I know.” I pulled my phone from my apron pocket with shaking hands. My first instinct—my only instinct—was to text Jack.
Got a problem. Need you.
He answered within seconds, but the news wasn’t good.
Shit. On a deadline. Client waiting. Be there as soon as I can.
My gut tightened. I braced a hand against the counter and forced myself to breathe.Hold it together, Cooper.
Jessica gave me a worried look. “What should we do?”
“Business as usual,” I said grimly. “Keep moving.”
The next customer hesitated at the counter, then ordered a cappuccino with a clipped tone that stung more than I wanted to admit.
Hours crawled by as I paced behind the counter and waited for Jack to arrive. Every muscle in my body felt coiled tight with worry about the false health inspection report, and I kept checking the time, then checking it again. I wasn’t used to Jack being unavailable when I needed him—he’d always been there at the drop of a hat—but I reminded myself that he had a job to do, responsibilities he couldn’t drop just because I was spiraling. When Jack finally rushed through the door, breathlessand apologetic, the relief that flooded through me was so intense I nearly sagged against the espresso machine.
“I’m so sorry.” His gaze roamed my face, his eyebrows scrunched in concern. “What’s wrong?”
I handed over my phone and told him about Martin’s visit.
Jack scanned the post, and his jaw tightened. “This looks good. Too good. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.”
He pulled out his own phone and tapped rapidly. “I’m contacting the site admin. I’ll explain what’s happening.”
It took ten minutes of furious arguing on Jack’s end—he switched from texting to an actual call halfway through—but finally, finally, he shoved his phone into his pocket.
“They’re pulling it down,” he said. “I had to threaten legal action, but they’re removing it.”
“It’s already too late,” I said quietly. “People saw it.”
Jack’s mouth tightened. “I know.”
“Thank you for getting it taken down, though.” I meant it with every fiber of my being.
He nodded, and his eyes softened as he looked at me. “This isn’t over.”
