Chapter 9 - VIRAL
By noon, there were people outside the restaurant.
Not customers.
People with cameras.
People with dog food.
People holding blankets.
People asking for Ben.
A kid had drawn a sign:
THANK YOU FOR SAVING THE PUPPIES.
Ben stared through the blinds.
Lisa laughed.
“You look terrified.”
“I am terrified.”
“You’ve handled kitchen fires.”
“Kitchen fires don’t ask questions.”
Someone knocked.
“Mr. Carter!”
Another voice shouted, “Can we get an interview?”
Ben stepped away.
“No.”
Lisa crossed her arms.
“You realize hiding makes you look more interesting.”
“I’m a cook.”
“You’re a restaurant owner.”
“Same thing with more debt.”
The video had reached 1.8 million views.
People had discovered the restaurant’s page.
Orders were pouring in even though the restaurant was closed.
Gift cards.
Reservations.
Donations.
One woman offered to pay every veterinary bill for the puppies.
A local contractor offered to rebuild the damaged front door.
An electrician volunteered to inspect the basement.
Ben didn’t know how to process any of it.
Then Mercer walked in.
His face was grim.
“What happened?”
Mercer handed him an envelope.
Ben read it.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY SALE.
His stomach dropped.
“You accepted?”
“Not yet.”
“Then what is this?”
“The buyer’s final offer.”
“How much time?”
“Forty-eight hours.”
Lisa stared at Mercer.
“You’re seriously thinking of selling after this?”
“This building is my retirement.”
“And this restaurant is his life.”
Mercer snapped, “And I’m supposed to ignore a seven-figure offer because the internet likes puppies?”
Ben held up a hand.
“Lisa.”
“No, Ben.”
“It’s his property.”
She looked at him.
“You’re defending him?”
“I’m being realistic.”
Mercer’s jaw tightened.
“The buyer says your lease can be terminated under the redevelopment clause.”
Ben’s face changed.
“You told me I had six years.”
“You do.”
“But?”
“The clause allows termination if the building undergoes structural redevelopment.”
Ben laughed once.
“You knew that.”
Mercer said nothing.
“You knew when you told me not to worry.”
“I didn’t think—”
“No. You didn’t.”
Ruby barked from outside.
Ben looked toward the alley.
Then another bark.
Sharper.
He ran out.
Ruby was standing over the puppies.
One puppy was shaking violently.
The smallest one.
Ben dropped beside him.
“Hey. Hey, buddy.”
The puppy’s gums looked pale.
Officer Ruiz, who had been delivering supplies, rushed forward.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.”
She touched the puppy.
Her face changed.
“We need a vet. Now.”
Ben scooped him up.
“I’ll drive.”
Ruiz grabbed her keys.
“No. I’ll drive faster.”
They ran.
As Ben climbed into the passenger seat, the puppy stopped moving again.
“Ruiz.”
She looked over.
May you like
Ben’s voice cracked.
“He’s not breathing.”
