Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Theo left his cabin just after sunrise. The morning light brushed the treetops, and a slight breeze carried the scent of pine through the academy grounds. The insurance inspectors were due at any moment, and tension filled the air. Serena had seemed distant when she left yesterday morning, and they’d barely spoken since. He tried to reassure himself as he walked. He wanted everything to run smoothly when the inspectors arrived.
He entered the cafeteria kitchen and checked the counters and sinks. He glanced at the overhead lights and the walk-in cooler, making sure the space looked spotless. His staff worked quietly in the background, prepping breakfast for the academy trainees. They did not speak much; everyone understood how important this inspection was. Theo forced a calm expression onto his face, though his shoulders felt tight with anxiety.
At 10:15 am, the insurance inspectors stepped into the kitchen. The man wore a well-fitted suit and carried a sleek tablet. The woman, also in a dark suit, clutched a clipboard covered with neat rows of printed forms. They introduced themselves as Norris and Emerson. Theo greeted them with a polite nod and offered to show them around the kitchen area.
The inspectors wasted no time in checking every detail. They asked about food storage and daily menus. They looked inside the pantry and asked Theo to explain his safety logs for perishables. He kept his answers precise, hoping his professionalism would shine through. Although the tension in the room never broke, he felt relieved to see the inspectors jotting small notes rather than glaring at him.
They turned to the sinks and tested the water temperature. Emerson asked about hygiene protocols, so Theo described how the staff disinfected all surfaces and kept track of cleaning schedules. His stomach was in knots, yet he maintained an outward calm. He reminded himself that this was his domain. He knew the kitchen inside and out.
When they finished in the main preparation area, the inspectors exchanged a few words with each other in low voices. Then Norris cleared his throat and said they needed to examine every place where equipment or supplies might be stored. Theo led them through a narrow corridor to a small supply closet that only he had access to. He unlocked the door and flicked on the light overhead. The inspectors followed and began scanning the shelves. Theo explained that the supply closet was used for non-perishable backups. He expected them to find little of note, perhaps only receipts and a few boxes of dried goods.
Emerson knelt near the back corner. She paused, frowned, and reached into the shadows behind a spare folding chair. She tugged and pulled out a bulky plastic container covered in a thin layer of dust. Norris moved closer with his tablet raised. Theo’s pulse spiked when he recognized the label on the container. It read “Advanced Medical Kit”—the same type that had mysteriously vanished from the medic bay.
Emerson opened the container and found several smaller units inside. Norris’ eyebrows rose, and he recorded images on his tablet. Theo stood frozen, disbelief pounding in his chest. He had never seen those kits in this supply closet before. His voice caught in his throat before he managed to speak.
Norris and Emerson exchanged a glance, then Norris pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Ms. Miller,” he said into the phone. “We’re inspecting the kitchen and uncovered something in the supply closet that requires your immediate attention. Can you come over, please? Yes… yes, the small one near the end of the corridor. Thank you.”
A tense hush settled in the narrow space as they waited. Theo’s heart hammered, each second dragging as the inspectors flipped through their notes without speaking. The scratch of pen against paper felt impossibly loud in the cramped closet.
“I had no idea those were here,” he said. “Someone must have planted them while I was out.” He heard how frantic he sounded. The inspectors glanced at each other. They jotted down more notes without commenting.
Finally, multiple pairs of brisk and purposeful footsteps approached. Poppy Miller rushed into the hall and entered the supply closet. Kai Morrow followed close behind, his expression grim. Their gazes fell on the med kits. Poppy’s voice came out sharper than Theo had ever heard it.
“Care to explain why these missing kits are hidden in your supply closet?” she asked. She looked both alarmed and furious. Theo felt heat crawl up his neck.
“I’ve never seen them before,” he said. “You have to believe me. They were not here when I last checked this room.” He turned to Kai. Kai wore a serious, almost pained look that left Theo unsettled. Poppy exhaled, then took a step closer to the container. She shook her head in disappointment.
“I gave you a chance,” she said. “You said you had everything under control after that day in the forest.” Theo winced at the memory of losing control in his grizzly form. He had been trying so hard to prove he was stable.
“I’ve been compiling the evidence for the Incident Response Team,” Kai said. “This is not looking good, Theo.”
Theo felt a flash of anger. He clenched his fists at his sides and forced himself to speak calmly. “I rescue people,” he said. “I saved a trainee from drowning. SAR is in my blood.” He turned to Kai, voice rising. “I saw you take an anchor kit out of the gear warehouse. That was right before the climbing accident.”
Kai drew back with a startled expression. He denied it at once. “I never took anything. Perhaps we should search your cabin. These med kits in your supply closet warrant further investigation.” He pointed at the container. Poppy threw up her hands, uncertain. She looked from Theo to Kai, searching for some clue on who to believe.
The two insurance inspectors glanced at each other. Norris spoke in a firm voice. “We need to document everything. If we can’t account for these missing safety items, the academy’s coverage may be void. That would mean shutting everything down until further notice.”
Poppy’s stance stiffened. She folded her arms and fixed her gaze on Theo. “Kai might have a point. If you are innocent, then there is no harm in us checking your cabin.”
Theo’s mouth went dry. A cold dread washed over him at the thought that someone could have planted something else in his cabin. He imagined the inspectors poking around, and he wondered if this was exactly what the saboteur wanted.
Poppy nodded at Kai. “Let’s head to Theo’s cabin. We won’t find anything if you have nothing to hide.”