It might be circumstantial, but it was something to add to the case the police and FDA were building against Nathan.
Drake slammed his hand down on the desktop. “Got you, motherfucker.”
Jon watched over Drake’s shoulder as he rewound the video to show Nathan driving into the parking lot of the Billings Almost Homemade. He got out and went to the trunk where he pulled out four huge boxes of lettuce with the Tree Top Grocery logo right on them. “Son of a bitch.”
Yes! They got him. Finally Jon could do something to help Trinity, instead of standing by helplessly. He’d take Nathan down and make sure he never hurt Trinity—or anyone else—again. She’d worked hard to build Almost Homemade, and he wouldn’t let Nathan steal it from her.
Drake switched cameras to the one in the main kitchen inside the shop. Nathan immediately turned off the security system, then went to the office and turned off the camera system.
“None of the employees know that only Adria’s and Trinity’s passwords actually turn off the cameras.”
“That way the employees can’t steal from their employer.” Jon thanked God they had the evidence they needed to prove Nathan sabotaged Almost Homemade.
Drake shrugged. “They can try, but we’ll have them on video doing it.”
Jon raised a brow. “Have you actually caught anyone?”
“A prep chef was stealing prime beef and reselling it to earn some extra cash. Trinity fired him.”
The video continued with Nathan carrying out his potentially deadly plan. He pulled on a pair of latex gloves, unpacked all the lettuce, and set it on the huge prep table, broke down the boxes, pulled out the salad containers and a knife, and went to work making dozens upon dozens of salads until all the lettuce had been used. He stacked the prepared kits and filled the refrigerated cases in the front of the store, then put the remaining ones in the walk-in refrigerator in the kitchen. Presumably, someone on staff collected them along with the other salad kits that were taken over to the Bozeman store because they were short-staffed and couldn’t make any themselves.
“He did it alone.”
“Looks that way.” Drake made a duplicate recording of the video.
Jon handed him the card from his FDA contact and the one for the local police detective working the case.
Drake sent the video to both officials’ emails, then turned in his seat. “Nothing to do now but wait for them to arrest Nathan.”
Jon sighed. “It seems rather anticlimactic.”
“There can’t always be a big takedown. But Nathan will serve time for purposely poisoning those people, Almost Homemade will be cleared, and Bountiful Foods will be implicated in this as well. Adria and Trinity can file a civil suit against Nathan and Bountiful Foods for their lost revenue and damage to their brand and name.”
Jon agreed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone who got sick also filed suits.”
“It’s less than Nathan and Bountiful Foods deserve and all we’re going to get.” Drake looked as disappointed as him that Nathan wouldn’t suffer more for going after Trinity and Adria.
Jon picked up his phone and accepted the call from the detective. “Did you get the video?”
“Watched it. We’ll have him in custody soon. I’ll let you know when that happens so you can put out a press release letting the community know who was really at fault.”
“Thank you, Detective.”
“You did most of the work uncovering his plan. The video is all the proof we need to back up your suspicions.”
Drake tapped him on the arm and jerked his chin toward the door.
Jon turned and stared at the man who tried to harm Trinity’s life. “Nathan. What are you doing here?”
“We’re on our way. Stall him if you can,” the detective said.
Jon kept the line open but held the phone in front of him.
“Is that Trinity on the phone? I need to talk to her, but she’s not answering my calls. Neither is Adria.” Nathan shifted from one foot to the other when Drake stood and eyed him.
“Adria is resting at home. She’s not to be disturbed.” The deadly warning in Drake’s tone made Nathan take a step back.
The office didn’t have much space, and Nathan kept the door at his back.
Jon wanted to know how far Nathan wanted to go with his scheme. “Why do you want to talk to Trinity?”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “Those two own this place, yet they don’t show up when there’s a crisis. They leave you to handle it.”
Jon didn’t tell the staff what happened the other night. He’d let Trinity explain her absence and provide as much or as little detail about Steph’s assault on her as she felt comfortable sharing.
“Trinity trusts me to take care of the situation and keep the shops operating smoothly.” Although Trinity had suspicions because of the business proposal he never got a chance to articulate to her, Trinity still trusted him. She loved him.
“Yeah, well . . . She should be here herself. It just goes to show that running the business isn’t her priority.”
Drake crossed his arms. “I guess you think you could do a better job.”
“The Billings store does far more business than this one,” Nathan shot back.
“Given the larger population in Billings, it’s not surprising the store’s numbers are higher. It was a smart move for the women to set up shop there and in Bozeman once they had their flagship store running smoothly and worked out all the kinks inevitable in a new business venture.” Jon used logic where Nathan, led by his ego, presented facts inaccurately.
“And now it’s time to let someone run the business properly. I see the potential of what it could be, but they’re too busy sourcing ingredients that increase prices and drop profits.”
Jon didn’t agree. “They’ve delivered on their promise to their customers. Locally sourced, organic, wholesome foods. Not only has Almost Homemade supported local farmers and ranchers—”
“You mean their family. Her brothers supply the beef. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law supplies the fruits and vegetables, the eggs, the chicken.”
“Mostly, but they have other small farms right here providing ingredients. Trinity partnered with a group of students growing hydroponic greens. She helped them expand their business. And as Almost Homemade grows, so will they along with us.”
“Us? So you are buying the business.” Nathan looked smug about catching him, but he only thought he knew the truth.
“No. But you’re right. Trinity and Adria work with family. Trinity and I are building a life together, and when she needs my help with Almost Homemade, I will be there for her. Always.” Jon didn’t get Nathan’s disdain for working with family. “If you’re so against Trinity working with her brothers and sisters-in-law, why did you tell Trinity you wanted to work here?”
“I did it to prove to my father I can manage the business. He’s seen the numbers for Almost Homemade. He agrees with me that I can build Almost Homemade into something as big, if not bigger, than Bountiful Foods.”
Drake sneered. “So this was all about proving yourself to your father.”
“He thought culinary school was a waste of time. But I showed him that I could be an asset even if I didn’t work in some office all day.”