The emergency council meeting happened that night. Ry didn't attend. Dot called him after with a summary. A neighbor of hers had been there. Hargrove had made a statement.
He'd called the Tennessian article politically motivated and factually irresponsible. He'd expressed confidence that a full review would exonerate him. He'd been calm, controlled, but two council members had asked questions he hadn't expected. One of them had specifically asked about the 1999 commissioner race and Warren Lyall. Hargrove had said he didn't know what that had to do with anything.
The council member had said she'd found it interesting that Lyle's name had come up in two separate conversations she'd had that week. Hargrove had said the meeting was about the article, not about 25year-old commissioner races. The meeting had adjourned without resolution. He's rattled. Dot said on the phone he showed it just barely, but people who've watched him for 12 years noticed.
Good. Rey said he's going to make a move. Dot said. I don't know what it is, but he is the kind of man who doesn't absorb a hit and do nothing. I know Ry said he was ready for that.
The move came Friday, not against Rey, against Coach Burch. A letter from the district superintendent delivered to Burch's school mailbox Friday morning, copied to the principal, informing her that her contract renewal, which was due in January, was under review due to concerns about professional conduct. No specifics, just the language of bureaucratic pressure weaponized. Bir called Rey at noon. He's going after my job, she said.
Her voice was level. The level of someone who had expected something and was not surprised, but was still angry. When did the letter arrive? Ry said this morning. After the council meeting last night, she paused.
He's quick. He's scared, Ry said. Patricia Owens needs to see that letter today. I already forwarded it. Good.
Ray thought for a moment. Birch, you said you have 11 years of files stored off site. Yes. Are they secure? They're with my sister in Knoxville.
Physical copies. He can't touch them. Good. Ray looked at the garage ceiling. He's trying to isolate you.
Make you feel like you're standing alone in this. I know what he's trying to do, Bur said. I've watched him do it to other people for 11 years. A pause. I'm not going anywhere.
I know. Ry said. I'm going to make a call. He called Dempsey next. Told her about the letter.