for Trinity Falls, but things could be worse.
CHAPTER 6
Tuesday evening, Megan glanced at her red Timex wristwatch again. Only eight minutes had passed since her last time check during this interminable town council meeting. Megan shifted in her third-row seat, which probably was older than she was. She crossed her legs, folded her arms and swallowed an impatient sigh.
The metal folding chairs were arranged in the town hall’s largest conference room to accommodate residents. In fact, the council’s business served as a backdrop for what was more of a community social.
Ramona adjusted the microphone on the desk in front of her. “Before the council entertains presentations and new matters from the public, I would like to take a moment to update everyone on the status of the park lamps.” Her pause added drama to a matter-of-fact statement. “Three months ago, the lamps were installed along the walking path in Freedom Park. The lamps are operating properly and have added a sense of increased security to residents.”
A tepid round of applause limped around the room. Megan wanted to sink into her chair. Why did Ramona always have to draw attention to herself ? She’d contracted to have the lamps installed in the park. But everyone in town knew the lamps had been Doreen Fever’s idea.
CeCe Roben, the town council president, cleared her throat. Her auburn hair was a sleek bob framing her alabaster face. “Thank you, Mayor. I’ve noticed a big difference with the new lamps and feel much safer in the park at night now.”
From his seat on Megan’s left, Darius lowered his pen and leaned closer. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “How much of that is sincere, and how much of it is CeCe’s attempt to score points with Ramona?”
Megan nodded. “I wondered the same thing.”
Quincy sat forward in his chair on Megan’s right. He kept his voice to the same hushed tone. “I thought you didn’t believe Ramona had a good side.”
The reporter shrugged. “I don’t believe Publishers Clearing House is real, either, but I’ll open my door if they knock.”
Quincy chuckled. “I jog through the park most nights. I don’t think I’ve ever seen CeCe there.”
CeCe called for new matters, which were very few: Roads were still waiting for repair after heavy storms from the previous spring. The malicious prankster responsible for stealing road signs had struck again, leaving Guilford Lane unidentified. And the search for a new city treasurer was still under way before the current treasurer retired because of “family reasons” sparked by an affair with his brother’s wife.
CeCe tapped the gavel to bring the meeting back to order. “At this time, we’d like to invite to the microphone those in attendance who would like to address the council.”
Megan scanned the room. Apparently, no one felt a pressing need to air his or her concerns. Megan inclined her head at the other members of the Trinity Falls Town Center Business Owners Association. From her seat, she contemplated the microphone waiting at the front of the room. Public speaking was not her forte. Megan’s heart pounded a steady rhythm against her chest. She drew in a deep breath and squared her shoulders before making her way to the podium. She felt Ramona’s eyes on her every step of the way.
Megan gripped the edges of the podium and locked her knees. “Good evening, council members and Mayor.”
A murmur of “good evenings” responded.
“I’m here as a representative of the Trinity Falls Town Center Business Owners Association.” Was the wobble in her voice noticeable? “What additional information can you provide regarding plans to sell the center to a high-end broker to revitalize the property?”
Ramona pulled her microphone closer to her mouth. “Like what?”
Ramona’s intimidation tactics were familiar—flat stare, bored tone—and they usually worked. Megan glanced over her shoulder. The members of her group, including Quincy and Darius, nodded encouragement.
Megan squared her shoulders and faced her cousin. “What types of businesses were you planning to attract? Where would you locate these new businesses?”
“We don’t have answers to those questions yet.” Ramona’s dismissive tone slapped her down.
Megan wanted to end this exchange and return to her seat, but her group was depending on her. “You’re trying to draw new businesses, but you don’t know what type or where you’d put them? Then why do you want them?”
Ramona lowered her brows. “Why are you asking so many questions?”
“Ramo . . . Mayor McCloud, new businesses will impact Trinity Falls’s existing retailers. The result will be increased competition for discretionary, as well as essential, spending. Businesses have to prepare for these changes—”
CeCe interrupted her. “I can understand your concern, Megan.”
“I can’t,” Ramona muttered.
CeCe continued. “As soon as the council has the information that you’re requesting, we’ll share it with you and the rest of the town’s business owners.”
“Thank you, Councilwoman Roben.” Megan nodded toward the council before leaving the podium. Her legs were like Jell-O. She was out of breath.
Again she felt Ramona’s eyes burning into her. Why would the council announce its intent to attract new businesses to Trinity Falls if it didn’t know the types of businesses it wanted to attract, or even where they would be located? What was really going on?
The sound of leaves crunching behind her pulled Megan from her solitary thoughts early Wednesday morning. The fellow jogger was gaining ground on her fast. Perhaps too fast. From the weight of the footfalls, the runner was probably male. Without breaking stride, Megan loped to the edge of Freedom Park’s nearly deserted dirt path, signaling the newcomer that he was free to pass.
“It’s not safe to run alone in the dark.” Ean’s rich baritone almost sent her into cardiac arrest.
It never occurred to her she would come into contact with him during her morning exercise. But here he was, with his olive green eyes focused on her.
Megan blinked. Her heart thumped once. Twice. “It’s after six o’clock in the morning.”
“It’s still dark.”
Megan puzzled over his statement as they jogged through the pools of light spilling from the lamps stationed every couple of feet. “This is Trinity Falls, not New York City.”
“Unfortunately, women are accosted in small towns, too.”
“That’s one of the reasons these lamps were installed.” Megan watched a drop of sweat trail down Ean’s broad forehead, drip off his aquiline nose and land on the gunmetal gray T-shirt stretched across his broad chest.
She shifted her attention away and drew in the chill October air to cool her suddenly overheated body. Ean seemed to have adjusted his pace to match hers. Was his concern for her safety the reason he didn’t just jog past her? Megan was trapped.
She
