The suit’s smile flickers.
“This is harassment,” he says.
“No,” Mable replies sweetly.
“This is community oversight.”
More townspeople begin gathering outside.
Word spreads fast in Eagle River.
Phones come out.
Cameras.
Voices.
Someone starts livestreaming.
The inspectors suddenly look much less confident.
Saint stands behind the bar watching it unfold.
And for the first time since they walked in—
The man in the suit looks nervous.
78
Laney
It turns into a scene.
Not violent.
Not chaotic.
Just… undeniable.
The Magnolia Ladies take over the tavern like they’ve been rehearsing it for years.
Mable claims the corner booth.
Ethel plants herself at the bar.
June pulls three chairs together and announces she’ll be staying “as long as necessary.”
They order coffee.
Lots of coffee.
Then pie.
Then more coffee.
And they complain.
Loudly.
