Three vehicles.
County logos.
Two inspectors.
And one man in a suit who absolutely does not belong here.
Wolf spots them before they even pull into the gravel lot.
“They’re here.”
I nod.
“Everyone stay calm.”
Laney is upstairs with the baby.
Trigger quietly locks the back door.
Havoc cracks his knuckles like he’s disappointed this isn’t the kind of fight he prefers.
The man in the suit walks inside like he owns the place.
Perfect posture.
Perfect smile.
Predator eyes.
“Saint Lawson?” he asks pleasantly.
“That’s me.”
He flashes a badge I don’t believe for a second.
“I’m with the compliance review board. We’re conducting an immediate inspection.”
“And if we pass?” I ask.
He smiles wider.
“That’s not really how this works.”
Of course it isn’t.
They spread out through the tavern like they’re cataloging a crime scene.
Opening cabinets.
Measuring shelves.
Taking photos.
Writing notes about things that don’t matter.
A cord.
A shelf bracket.
