Tomorrow feels closer than it should. The council meeting is set for 6:00 the following evening. By 5:30, the town hall parking lot is already full. Cars line both sides of the street, spilling into the lot behind the hardware store. Me's list of 30 names has grown to nearly 90 by morning.
Farmers, teachers, the volunteer fire department, half of Rosie's regular customers, people who haven't spoken up about anything in years standing shoulder-to-shoulder tonight. Dorothy arrives early, taking a seat in the second row, back straight. She's wearing her good coat, the one she saves for church and funerals. The old man and his wife sit near the front, Cane resting against the bench. Constance slips in quietly near the sidewall, arms crossed, watching everything unfold.
Earl sits near the back, $2 bills folded neatly in his shirt pocket. Nobody quite knows why he brought them. He isn't sure either. Maybe just a habit. Showing up ready to pay for something that matters.
Rosie stands near the door, greeting people with a shaky, grateful smile. Meg stays close beside her. List, still tucked safely in her apron pocket. Grant arrives with his father, both dressed sharp, both projecting calm they don't fully feel. Chase, Dean, and Cole trail behind, uneasy in a way none of them show openly.
Ryan is nowhere to be seen yet. Frank arrives last, walking slowly, a small folded piece of paper tucked in his coat. Josie and Addie sit together near the front, close enough to see every face clearly. Inside, Douglas Pratt calls the meeting to order, Gavel tapping twice. His hands aren't quite steady either.
Tonight's agenda includes the lease renewal for Rosie's Diner. He begins. Given recent developments, the council recommends postponing renewal pending investigation. A murmur ripples through the packed room, low and unhappy. Everett Whitmore stands calm and practiced the way he always stands in rooms like this.
A reasonable recommendation given the circumstances, he says smoothly. A business under criminal suspicion shouldn't receive special treatment. I think we all agree. A few heads nod near the front out of habit more than conviction. This town has always valued fairness.
Everett continues. Fairness means following procedure. Even when it's uncomfortable, even when good people get caught in the middle. Rosie's hands grip the back of a chair, knuckles white, saying nothing. Me squeezes her shoulder gently from behind, a small anchor in a shifting room.
That's when Addie stands, badge already visible on her chest. Before this council votes on anything, she says, voice carrying easily through the room. I'd like the chance to present some evidence. Douglas hesitates, glancing toward Everett before answering. This isn't the venue for that.
With respect, Addie says, "I believe it's exactly the venue for that since this council seems eager to decide someone's guilt before hearing the facts. The room goes very quiet. " Larkin, seated near the front, rises slowly. "Let her speak, " he says. "I've seen enough of this evidence myself.