Chapter 5 - The Ambush at the Door
Within twenty minutes, two black city vehicles pulled up outside the cafe. Out stepped Chief Building Inspector Gregory Vance—a known associate and cousin of Vance Sterling—accompanied by Martin Callahan, who wore an arrogant, vengeful grin.
"Everyone out!" Inspector Gregory announced loudly, waving a red clip-folder as he marched into the crowded cafe. "Riverside Coffee is being condemned for immediate structural hazards and faulty electrical wiring. Clear the premises immediately!"
Customers gasped in confusion. A mother holding her toddler looked alarmed, while several regulars protested from their tables.
Mason stepped in front of the counter, calm and composed. "Inspector, we passed a comprehensive municipal safety audit just three months ago under state supervision. What hazards are you referring to?"
"I don't answer to a barista," Gregory sneered. "We received credible reports that the foundation has suffered severe seismic shift due to the drainage systems across the street. The building is officially deemed unsafe for human occupancy."
Martin leaned over the counter, his eyes burning with malice. "Told you you'd lose this place, Mason. You thought giving away a free sandwich made you untouchable? You're just a nobody from the trailer park down by the river."
"That's enough, Martin," a deep, commanding voice boomed from the entrance.
Captain Daniel Brooks marched in, accompanied by four senior firefighters in full uniform, followed closely by Mayor Helen Whitaker and Oakridge Fire Marshal Sarah Lin.
Inspector Gregory's face lost its color. "Mayor Whitaker... Marshal Lin... this is routine code enforcement—"
"Routine?" Marshal Lin stepped forward, pulling a digital tablet from her satchel. "Under Oakridge City Charter Section 4, all commercial properties sharing a civic safety zone with Station Four fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Fire Marshal's Office, not private city contractors. I conducted a physical inspection of these premises forty-eight hours ago. This building is fully compliant, reinforced, and among the safest structures on this block."
Mayor Whitaker fixed Gregory with a stern glare. "Furthermore, Gregory, I received a notification thirty minutes ago that your personal bank account received a fifty-thousand-dollar deposit this morning from an offshore shell corporation tied to Sterling Development. City Internal Affairs is already waiting at your office."
Gregory dropped his clipboard, trembling violently. Two Oakridge police officers entered behind the mayor, calmly placing handcuffs on Gregory's wrists and escorting him outside.
Martin Callahan tried to slip past the crowd toward the back exit, but Daniel Brooks blocked the doorway with his broad frame.
"Where are you going, Martin?" Daniel asked quietly.
"I didn't do anything illegal!" Martin squealed. "Vance promised me ten percent of the new luxury retail complex if I helped clear the block!"
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"You're coming down to the station for questioning," Officer Higgins said, stepping up to Martin. "There's a little matter of conspiracy and fraudulent public endangerment we'd like to discuss."
As Martin was led away in shame, the cafe erupted into cheers. But as Mason looked out the window, he saw Vance Sterling's black limousine gliding slowly past in the dusk, its tinted window lowering just enough for Vance to lock eyes with Mason. The war for the town had only just begun.
