We could hear Ida talking loudly from down the hallway when we all trooped into city hall the next morning to talk to Meg. Sebastian was with us.
"So you think the city will give its support for this development?" he asked.
"We already own the land," Hunter said. "If they don’t, we’ll sue."
"I see why Evan was worried about a lawsuit—you guys are sue-happy." Sebastian said. "Unfortunately, I cannot have Thalian Biotech embroiled in a high-profile legal case."
"Also, my conference center is going to be in operation in the next year," Archer said. "I don't need the bad publicity."
"They’ll sign off on it," I assured them. "This is a great idea."
Billy and Oscar were there, as were Morticia and Lilith. It was a toss-up as to who was in a worse mood about wearing nice formal clothes.
"Why can't you reverse the ban?" Ida was saying as we stopped in front of Meg's office. "I drink half a gallon of plum juice every day. The paper straws are wreaking havoc with my digestion, Meghan. It’s like World War III every morning—"
"Ida—ugh." Meghan looked at Hunter. "I can’t believe it, but I must say I’m actually glad you’re here." Meg shook Sebastian's hand. "I’m pleased you're considering Harrogate for your business."
"We want to win," Hunter told her, "and the city is the only thing standing in the way of making a brighter future for Harrogate."
"You just want to win because you're a brat," she said, crossing her arms.
"Care for an iced beverage?" Garrett asked, offering her a cup of iced coffee.
"Let me guess, this is from Hunter?" Meg said, taking it.
"Actually it's from Straw Boys, the newly founded bamboo straw company started by local residents."
"They’re biodegradable," Morticia said, zero emotion in her voice.
Meg inspected the straw and took a sip. "This is better than the paper ones," she admitted.
"They all worked together as a team," I said, "to create these straws. They're revolutionary."
"Who's going to be running it?"
"We will!" Billy and Oscar piped up. Meg looked to Hunter.
"Parker willheavilyassist them," he assured her.
"He will?" Parker muttered. Garrett kicked him.
"You’re okay with sharing your facility with this factory?" Meg asked Sebastian.
"Yes ma'am," he confirmed. "I think it’s great that your town cares so much about the environment."
"If these straws will keep me from having to listen to that"—she pointed at Ida—"then I’m all for it.”
"There won’t be pushback from local residents?"
"No one tells people this, but I basically run this town," Ida bragged. "I can have fifty angry seniors with signs in front of any establishment in ten minutes—an hour if it's after senior special day at the diner. That clam chowder is good, but geez."
"Thank you, Ida," Meg said loudly.
"Great! I think I’ve found a new home for Thalian Biotech," Sebastian said, shaking Meg's hand then Garrett's.
"Let's go sign some documents," Hunter told him.
* * *
