Chapter 2
Wednesday night town council meetings were always mind-numbing. A dozen townspeople sat around the worn conference table discussing some land development project.
Nolan sat at the far end of the table, impeccably dressed, flipping through legal documents.
Time to test my theory.
"Regarding the Johnson farm sale, we need to ensure procedural compliance," Mayor Margaret was reading the agenda. "Does anyone have objections?"
I cleared my throat. "Oh, I thought everyone knew... Nolan visited the Johnson farm last week."
Every eye in the room turned to me, then to Nolan. His face went from normal to ashen in one second.
"What?" Townsperson Tom spoke first. "Attorney Cross, does this constitute a conflict of interest?"
"I—" Nolan started to defend himself, but others had already begun whispering.
"If you're representing the buyer, how can you simultaneously provide legal advice to the town government?" another townsperson questioned.
I put on an innocent expression. "Did I say something wrong? I just saw Nolan's car parked at the Johnsons' place..."
"Meeting suspended. I need to clarify some misunderstandings." Nolan shot up, papers scattering across the table.
I could feel the fury in Nolan's eyes, even in the dim lighting.
"Perhaps we should wait for Attorney Cross to handle his conflict of interest before continuing discussion," Margaret said, clearly caught off guard by this sudden information.
Other attendees began packing up, preparing to leave.
Ten minutes later, most people had gone. I deliberately dawdled with my things, waiting for Nolan's reaction.
"Iris!" His voice echoed in the hallway, filled with suppressed rage.
I turned around to see him striding over, the remaining few townspeople lingering in the hallway, obviously wanting to see what would happen.
"Come here." He pointed to a corner at the end of the hallway.
I followed, my heart racing. Not from fear, but from excitement.
"Some things aren't said carelessly. Can you handle the consequences?" He stepped forward, looking down at me.
I let tears well up in my eyes. "I just wanted to fit in with everyone... I didn't know I said something wrong."
"Nolan, don't talk to the kid like that," Tom's voice came from behind. "She just got here, it's normal she doesn't understand the situation."
"Yeah," another female townsperson chimed in, "besides, she didn't say anything wrong. You did go to the Johnson farm."
Nolan's expression grew even darker. "I went there for my reasons. I don't need to explain to anyone."
"Of course not," Tom said, "but as the town council's legal advisor, you should indeed avoid any appearance of potential conflicts of interest."
I sniffled. "Sorry, I really didn't know it would cause such consequences..."
Several townspeople showed sympathetic expressions. While Nolan looked like he was about to explode.
"Forget it," he finally said.
Then he turned and left, leaving me with several comforting townspeople.
Back at the Cross family house, I locked my bedroom door behind me. The house my mother Linda had moved us into after marrying Robert Cross was bigger than anywhere we'd ever lived before.
At ten PM, a gentle but firm knock came at my door.
"Iris? It's Nolan."
I opened the door.
He stood in the doorway, holding a check. His expression had returned to calm, but fury still burned in his eyes.
He handed me the check. "Watch your mouth from now on."
I took the check, nearly gasping when I saw the amount. Five thousand dollars!
"I really didn't mean to..." I said quietly, "Thank you for helping me clean up the mess."
"This is the last time." His voice was ice cold. "Next time you screw up, you're on your own."
I nodded, putting on a frightened expression. "I understand. I'll be careful."
After he left, I closed the door, leaned against it, trying to control my urge to burst out laughing.
Five thousand dollars! More than three months of my salary. This game is more profitable than I imagined.
I held the check up to the light, examining it carefully. The check was real, the signature definitely Nolan's handwriting.
So he really does pay for trouble. And he pays generously.
I walked to the window, looking at the quiet street outside. Almost every house had turned off their lights, only the street lamps faithfully working.
So what should the next "accident" be?
My mind began constructing various possibilities. Bank account information? Business dealings? Or more personal secrets?
I pulled open the drawer, carefully placing the check at the very bottom. I'll go to the bank tomorrow and deposit it.
But I need to be careful. Can't make him suspicious. At least wait a few weeks before creating the next "accident."
The next evening, storm clouds began gathering over the small town. I worked late at the library, organizing newly arrived books.
The rain began falling harder, thunder rumbling.
"Are you sure you don't need me to drive you home?" librarian Mrs. Henderson asked. "The weather forecast says there'll be a storm tonight."
"It's okay," I said. "I want to organize a bit more. These books need to be arranged alphabetically."
She nodded, picking up her raincoat and bag. "I'll head out first then. Remember to lock up."
"Will do."
After she left, I was alone in the library. The rain fell harder and harder, beating against the roof and windows.
I actually didn't need to stay this late. The bookshelves were already mostly organized. But I like this feeling of being alone, especially on stormy nights.
Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky, followed by deafening thunder. Then all the lights went out.
Power outage.
I fumbled around looking for the flashlight, remembering Mrs. Henderson kept it near the front desk. In the darkness, I could only rely on occasional lightning to identify directions.
Just then, I heard car engine sounds and hurried footsteps outside. A car door slammed shut, someone running through the rain toward the library.
The door was pushed open, flashlight beam shining in.
"Iris? Are you still here?"
It was Nolan's voice.
"I'm here." I replied, my heart suddenly racing.
Why would Nolan come?
