“I worked with Thomas Stockmann back in the early days—before the springs, before the Spa Board, before his name was in the papers. Back when we still took notes with pencils and argued about mold samples.

He’s brilliant. No question. Curious, relentless, irritatingly thorough. The kind of scientist who keeps testing after the answer’s already obvious, just to really be sure.

But here’s the thing no one likes to talk about—he’s got a bit of a flair for drama. Especially when Peter’s involved. Those two have been playing a game of one-upmanship since birth. If Thomas found an ant in the sugar bowl, he’d blame it on Peter’s policy.

I’m not saying he’s wrong. I’m saying he likes to be right. Especially when it means Peter’s wrong. That makes me… cautious.

I believe in the science. I believe in Thomas. But I also believe in peer review. If this is as bad as he says, let’s have five labs test it. Let’s publish. Let’s bring in the EPA. Let’s not burn down the town on a single man’s conviction—not even his.”