This wasn’t happening.It couldn’t.Okay, it could, but hell, it didn’t make any sense.It just ...What the hell was happening right now?
I noted his name on my phone, determined to take down as much information as possible in case I needed it later.Hell, of course, I would need it.“Thank you.Can you tell me why you’re here?Is this a routine inspection?”I’d never heard of them doing these unannounced before, but maybe things worked differently here?
“It’s been recognized that there is an error on your liquor license, and it was decided that a full review of the premises should be undertaken to determine any further issues.”
It has been months since Harry had handed over the bar.Months.Why now?Who would suddenly think to check on the paperwork out of nowhere for a bar that had been running for years?
Okay, stop.I could feel myself getting worked up, my breathing erratic, my thoughts even more so.Breathe.Think.The local permit renewed every two years, the ILCC one annually.But we’d had an inspection earlier in the year when the ownership was transferred, so this made no sense.Why were they back for an unannounced visit now?
“The license was renewed back in July when ownership was transferred.Shouldn’t this have been caught then?”
He pinned me with a sharp look.“Yes, it should.”
Fuck.I hated not having all the facts.I needed to recheck the paperwork as soon as possible and work out what the error was.How the hell had I missed it?
“That signage isn’t exactly visible from here,” he said, pointing to the license that hung on the small wall by my office before making another note.I forced myself to maintain a calm expression, adding a nod of acknowledgment.This wasn’t his fault.The ILCC conducted thousands of inspections a year.We were another item on his agenda.
Knowing that didn’t lessen my frustration, though.
I followed him as he stepped behind the bar, taking notes as he reviewed the stations.Even though I’d watched as the team closed last night, and I knew that they cleaned everything, my nerves were on edge.Please don’t let anything be wrong.“Can I ask how it got picked up now if it was missed before?”
“We’ve received an allegation that you’re operating in violation of your liquor license.We’ve opened an official investigation and identified the error on your local tavern license, which will need to be rectified before you can reopen.”
My stomach was in my throat.This was a waking nightmare.It didn’t matter that we were operating to the letter of the law and that I knew that without a shadow of doubt.Violation allegations were serious.Go out of business, serious.Do not pass GO.Do not collect $200serious.
“Where did the allegation come from?”
“I’m not allowed to disclose that information.”
Of course, he couldn’t.Shit.It could be anyone.One of our neighbors—although that seemed unlikely, as none of them had been unfriendly—or anyone with a grudge …
And then it hit me.
Pierce.That dick.Of course, he would.Who else?Ever since that damn article put us against each other, he’d taken up a stance against me.But this just took the cake.The whole damn bakery.
How could he?This went beyond petty rivalry and veiled—although when had they ever been veiled?—comments to the press.This was underhanded.Vile.He’d gone from messing around with the contractor to actively trying to shut me down.
All because of … what?I was a threat to his profits?He’d made it clear we weren’t in the same league, but maybe that had just been posturing.So what, I call him out in one article, and this was how he retaliates?
Dammit, I never should have made those comments.What had I been thinking?Every other time I’d been asked to comment, I’d deflected.I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to fight fire with fire.
The inspector continued to wander, taking notes.Definitely not a good idea.
In fact, it was easily the worst idea I’d ever had.
Faster than expected, he’d completed his notes, and my breath held in my throat as I waited for the verdict, my mind racing.
“There doesn’t appear to be any validity to the allegation, and your other permits seem to be up to date and in order.Based on that, and the fact that the initial error is minor, I can see no reason to revoke your license at this time.”
Sweet relief rushed through me, and I finally exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
“However,” he said, and I felt my blood pressure spiking again, “I do have to issue a temporary suspension.It will take effect immediately.”To his credit, he looked sympathetic to what he had to do.Goddamn, what a thankless job that must be.If I weren’t currently swimming in my own misery at the idea of the bar having to shut down, I would have offered my condolences.Instead, I focused on keeping my cool.I didn’t need to know what would happen if I blew up at him.Nothing good, I’m sure.
Pocketing his phone, he said, “You’ve got a week.If you don’t supply the necessary forms by then, your license will be revoked and you’ll need to appeal the decision to have it reinstated.In the meantime, we’ll issue a formal report of the investigation and the suspension notice.”
This was followed by a warning.“You should ensure all future renewals are completed correctly and on time as this will remain on file.”
He left quickly, leaving me alone in a room too small for everything I was feeling.I barely knew where to start.
