Page 246 of A Taste of Vanilla

The vendor answers on the second ring. I’ve spoken to Kenji twice before, both times about delivery windows.

“Harbor Vending, this is Kenji.”

“This is Warren King, from Bitter Bloom.”

There’s a pause.

“Warren. Hi.”

His tone is careful and polite. Far more polite than usual.

“I received updated account terms,” I say.

“Yes, I was going to call Halston later today.”

“Why were the terms changed?”

He exhales quietly. “It’s a company-wide review.”

“No.”

Another pause. “I’m sorry?”

“Bitter Bloom doesn’t have payment issues. Halston’s order volume is consistent. She’s been buying the exact same amount for over a year and you haven’t had any issues with the account. A company-wide review wouldn’t target specialty flour allocation and payment terms simultaneously without a risk trigger.”

Silence.

Then Kenji says, “You sound like you’ve worked in procurement.”

“Why were the terms changed?”

He lowers his voice. “I can’t give specifics.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I can’t give the one I’d like to give.”

My hand tightens around the phone. “Was someone in contact with your accounts department about Bitter Bloom?”

Kenji is quiet for too long.

“Kenji.”

“I’m not supposed to discuss internal review.”

“Was it Grant Whitaker?”

“No,” he says too fast. Then, after a second, “Not directly.”

Not directly.

I close my eyes.

Barrett. Caroline. Some other person with enough influence to turn her life upside down.

“Bitter Bloom is a good account,” I stress.

“I know.”