Pike wore a gray suit and carried a slim leather portfolio.
He apologized for arriving unexpectedly and said he wanted to reassure us about his partnership’s commitment to local jobs.
Daniel kept him in the public reception room while I joined by video call.
Pike recognized me immediately.
He said he had heard my name during preliminary discussions about the building.
I asked whether we had met before.
He said no.
I asked whether he knew Patricia Bell.
His expression changed only slightly, but he took longer to answer.
He said he had met many people through local business organizations and did not recall that particular name.
Daniel asked how the partnership knew we were debating employee retention before we had sent our revised terms.
Pike said experienced investors could anticipate concerns in a family-owned business.
The answer was plausible but unsatisfying.
He then offered an improved purchase price if we agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement that afternoon.
Daniel declined.
Pike closed his portfolio without raising his voice.
He said the market would not wait forever.
I told him we were prepared to lose a deal that required us to disregard unresolved questions.
After he left, Daniel stood silently in the reception room.
He had spent months worrying that I would sell the shop too cheaply.
Now he realized I might refuse an attractive offer for reasons he had never expected.
“Dad would call that stubborn,” he said.
“Dad would check the paperwork,” I replied.
We both laughed, but neither of us felt cheerful.
Chapter 27: The Cost of a False Rumor
The rumors about my health reached my employer before I expected them to.
My supervisor called me into a meeting and asked whether I felt able to continue managing the regional logistics team.
She said an anonymous email had raised concerns about my judgment following surgery.
I told her about the camera investigation and offered to provide a copy of the police report number.
She listened without skepticism, but she also had obligations to the company.
We agreed that my temporary work accommodations would continue according to my doctor’s recommendations.
My supervisor documented that no performance issue had been established.
I left the meeting grateful and furious at the same time.
The anonymous accusation had forced me to discuss a deeply private experience in a room where it had no business being.
I asked my employer to preserve the email and relevant metadata.
Human resources agreed.
At lunch I sat in my car and stared at the steering wheel.
