You have until tomorrow morning. After that, the wheels of bureaucracy start turning, and there's nothing I can do to stop them. He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Brooks, if you found something by this river, it would be in your best interest to turn it over. Some secrets are better left buried. " Ethan watched Reed make his way back up the garden path, his mind racing with the implications of this new threat.
The building inspector could indeed make their lives miserable, possibly even force them out of the mansion before they could fully uncover Thomas's trail of evidence. When Reed was out of sight, Ethan headed for the woods, following the path he hoped Noah had taken. He found his son halfway to town, the container clutched tightly to his chest. "Dad," Noah exclaimed in relief. "I was worried.
Did Reed do anything? " "Just threats," Ethan assured him. But they're serious ones. We need to see Sheriff Davis right away. They found Davis at his office in the small Riverdale police station. The sheriff listened gravely as Ethan explained their discoveries and Reed's threats.
Building Inspector Jim Parker is definitely in Reed's pocket, Davis confirmed. Has been for years. If Reed wants your place condemned, Parker will find a way to make it happen. Can you stop it? Ethan asked.
Davis shook his head. Not directly. Building code enforcement is county jurisdiction, not mine, but I can buy you some time. He reached for his phone. Parker's brother-in-law owes me a favor.
I can probably get the inspection delayed for a day or two. While Davis made his call, Ethan and Noah examined the contents of the container more thoroughly. The financial evidence was comprehensive and damning, proof that William Grant had systematically looted Blackwell Steel, diverting millions to offshore accounts while preparing to close the mill. Blame economic conditions. This would have destroyed Grant if it had come out in 1977, Davis observed, returning to the desk.
Might even have meant prison time. No wonder he was willing to go to such lengths to stop Thomas, Ethan said. But what do we do with this now? William Grant has been dead for decades. But his company lives on, Davis pointed out.
Monarch development is built on the fortune William Grant accumulated after forcing Thomas out. And there are still people in Riverdale who lost everything when the mill closed. Pensions that vanished, promises broken. So this isn't just about clearing Thomas's name, Ethan realized. It's about justice for the whole town.
Exactly. Davis nodded. Thomas Blackwell didn't just leave this for you, Brooks. He left it for Riverdale. As they discussed their next steps, Martha Green arrived at the station, summoned by Davis's deputy.