Math Inspectors Novels & Stories

She looked like she’d just won a game I didn’t realize we were playing. I was still thinking about it when the front door burst open and Marco, my lead cook, came storming in. "Boss, you better come out here. Now." My feet moved before my brain did. I pushed past the swinging doors and into the front of house. Two uniformed city inspectors were standing by the hostess podium, clipboards in hand, faces stone-cold. "Nathan Hart?" one asked. "Yeah. What’s going on?" "We received an anonymous complaint. Health code violations. We need to inspect the premises. Immediately."

Official looking people in suits holding clipboards and wearing badges. Kira checked the time. Six thirty-five. “They’re already here,” she said. “It’s not even nine yet. Don’t they sleep? What the fuck?” Kira parked the car and took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking but she forced them to steady as she stepped out. The officials turned to look at her. Three of them. Two men and one woman. “Ms. Ashford?” the woman asked. “Yes. That’s me.” “I’m Margaret Abim from the Health and Safety Division. These are inspectors Rodriguez and Williams. We’re here regarding the complaint filed against your establishment.”

It was a place where the inspector commanded respect and made decisions that could impact lives. The walls, devoid of any artwork or personal mementos, were instead adorned with large, meticulously organized whiteboards, covered in intricate diagrams, timelines, and photographs connected by strands of colored string. The chaotic display mirrored the inspector's mind, a testament to their ability to piece together complex puzzles and connect disparate clues. She caught sight of the drawing of a wolf. She was about to inspect the drawings when Liam pulled her back gently. That wasn't what they were here for.

“It’s cumulative. We have to be thorough. For your welfare.” Mira popped up, voice trembling but steady. “Can I see the complaint forms?” The inspector looked at the councilwoman, who shook her head once. Carolina could feel the air tightening. This was not about city codes, nor the line at the register, nor even the kids they fed under the table. This was old order enforcing itself, a penis-measuring contest wrapped in a procedure. “Well, if we’re being thorough,” Carolina said, holding the room in her voice, “inspect the kitchen. Talk to the patrons. Ask the neighbors. We’re right here. Not hiding.”

He whispered back, "Stay calm. Let's play it by ear." Wilbur hurriedly came out to deal with us and instructed the assistant doctor from yesterday to accompany us during the inspection. My heart sank; what I feared most was coming true. We were suspicious of him, and he must have some connection to the Chandler family. Otherwise, Hazelyn wouldn't have rushed here so quickly yesterday. I started to suspect why Hazelyn had come today. I had a bad feeling about this. The inspection covered not only hygiene, medical equipment, and medical staff, but it was also a comprehensive check of all patients.

What a fabrication! This is not to suggest that the hard working and diligent inspector to be a liar My Lord, neither am I questioning his vast integrity because as we all know some of these law enforcement agents can be overenthusiastic at times. We should consider the fact that they are human beings eager to produce quick results in order to get a pat on the back from their superiors .

And we both knew it. By mid-afternoon, the inspectors had swarmed every part of the mine. They took samples from the water tanks. Photographed every pipe, valve, and safety sign. Logged vehicle inspections and interviewed the foremen. They acted like they were doing a job. But I could see the glint behind their questions — the rehearsed skepticism, the leading language, the subtle digs. They weren’t investigating a company. They were setting a stage. And Darren saw it too. He didn’t speak much during the walkthrough. But I watched him watch them. Closely. Intently. Like a lion watching a poacher roam through its territory.

He said and took off his mask while they followed suit. When the police officers walked nearer to them, they all opened their doors and stepped out. The inspector gave them a suspicious look before he began scrutinizing what they were all putting on. “Inspector sir, I am the manager of Agro and farms industry and they are my workers.” The huge man said and flashed his ID card across the inspector's face. He didn't show any expression except from observing the other men through the huge man's broad shoulder. The other men also took out their various ID cards and flashed it for the inspector to see.

The nursing-home inspection was not the ordeal Nick had feared. The inspection team consisted of Lon, a couple of town council members and a representative from the state’s fire safety board. And Nick, for whatever that was worth. The owner of the facility was there, as well, and the two staff members designated as fire-safety staffers.