Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

The last customer left for the day with a jaunty wave. Mei was back in the
kitchen, Nelson in his chair. Apollo stayed close to Hugo, as if wanting to
make sure he didn’t relapse. Alan still stood in the corner, shoulders hunched
up around his ears. They’d left him alone, but Wallace knew it couldn’t last,
especially when Nancy came back. They needed to make him understand that
she was off-limits. Wallace wasn’t looking forward to it.
Hugo flipped the sign in the window.
He was about to lock the door when he froze.
“Oh no,” he breathed. “Not now.”
“What is it?” Nelson asked. “Don’t tell me we’ve got another guest
coming. It’s getting a little crowded as is.” He glared at Alan.
“It’s not that,” Hugo said tightly.
In the distance, Wallace heard the rumble of a car engine coming down the
road. He went to a window. Headlights were approaching. “Who is it?”
“The health inspector,” Hugo said.
Nelson suddenly popped into existence next to Wallace, who yelped.
Nelson ignored him, peering out the window. “Again? But he was just here a
couple of months ago. I swear, that man has it out for you, Hugo. Quick! Turn
off all the lights and lock the door. Maybe he’ll go away.”
Hugo sighed. “You know I can’t do that. He’d just come back tomorrow
and be in a worse mood.” He glanced at Nelson. “Leave him alone this
time.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Grandad.”
“Fine,” Nelson said irritably. “I’ll be on my best behavior.” He lowered
his voice so only Wallace could hear. “But mark my words, if he tries
anything, I’m going to shove his pen up his ass.”
Wallace grimaced. “You can do that?”
“Damn right I can. And he’d deserve it too. Prepare to meet the biggest
waste of space you’ve ever met in your life.”
“I know hundreds of attorneys.”
Nelson rolled his eyes. “He’s worse.”
Wallace wasn’t sure who he was expecting to climb out of the little car,
but who he saw certainly wasn’t it. The man was younger, around Hugo’s