Page 12 of Stout Bear

Max was desperate for a solution. He pictured his siblings’ reactions and decided to handle the details himself before they discovered the size of the investment. He handed Flint his credit card and the man scanned it on a reader on his phone.

A small voice in his head questioned whether he should wait for Laney’s complete analysis. She’d promised results soon, but he was running out of time. Brewing had been put on hold, and they couldn’t wait another day for a solution.

Flint packed up the signed contract with a flourish, leaving the brochures on the bar. “I’ll email you a copy,” he said before striding out of the brewery.

Chapter

Fourteen

“These findings are very troubling,”Ivy said.

Laney experienced a flicker of guilt that they hadn’t identified a definitive source yet. At the same time, she recognized she had done everything possible with the resources at hand. She’d compared the compound to all recognized chemicals in the EPA libraries. Her tests provided solid evidence of contamination, even if she couldn’t pinpoint the exact origin or chemical composition without more specialized equipment.

Laney pointed to a graph showing chemical levels at different locations. “The highest concentration appears here, upstream from the spring. It dilutes progressively as it moves toward town.”

“This will need to go to the county environmental office,” Ivy said. “Have you informed the brewery?”

“Not since I conducted my field tests,” Laney replied. “I wanted to have conclusive data before returning.”

“I’ll forward your results to the county for further investigation, but don’t expect an immediate response. Especially without an identified compound. They’re notoriously backed up.”

Laney nodded. “I appreciate you taking this seriously.”

She felt a slight relief that her research would go beyond the institute, though the mention of slow county bureaucracy worried her. She wondered how many more days the contamination could fester before further action was taken.

“Your work has been outstanding, and the institute appreciates it. But these things can take a long time,” Ivy said.

Laney replied, “I just hate seeing people suffer while we wait for an official response.”

Laney reflected on how much she’d poured herself into this project since her arrival, feeling both pride and mounting exhaustion. She recognized that even the best science couldn’t force government agencies to move faster. The samples, tests, and documentation had consumed her days and nights since discovering the first anomalies in the brewery water.

“I know it’s frustrating,” Ivy said.

Laney ran her hand across the lab counter. Waiting for official confirmation might allow the contamination to spread further.

“I’ll let the brewery know what we’ve found.”

“Just be careful about making definitive claims without the county’s verification. We don’t want to cause panic.”

Laney understood the warning. Environmental scientists walked a fine line between alerting the public and avoiding unnecessary alarm. Her findings indicated a serious problem, but withoutidentifying the specific chemical, they couldn’t assess the full health risk.

“You’ve been at this nonstop since you arrived. Go home, get some rest. We’ll pick up on Monday,” Ivy said.

Laney hesitated, “...I... guess you’re right. I do feel a bit burnt out.”

She felt torn between her drive to continue testing and a sudden realization of her own fatigue. The thought of stepping away, even briefly, made her anxious, but she knew she couldn’t be effective if she was exhausted. Days of intensive testing had drained her mental reserves.

Laney began gathering her personal items, slipping her notebook into her bag. The lab felt like a second home now. Leaving felt strange, almost like abandoning a patient mid-treatment.

“What about the upcoming beer festival?” Laney asked. “If this contamination continues...”

“One step at a time,” Ivy replied. “Let’s wait for the county’s input before we consider recommending event cancellations. Now, get out of here. And try to enjoy the rest of the day.”

Chapter

Fifteen

Laney drovedown Fate Mountain’s main street, noticing the bustle of the farmers and craft market in the town square. She slowed the car, catching the aroma of fresh bread and the distant notes of bluegrass music.

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