The Edenbury Chronicles - Vol 2 - Chapter 19

Saturday’s newspaper hit the newsstands at just the right time. The reprinted article in the Chronicle gave a boost to interest in the big play just as the girls were struggling to pull the show together. 

It wasn’t that the children weren't showing up to practice—they would be at the park anyway—but distractions were aplenty on a warm Saturday in the spring.

Olivia did her best to try to help Anne and Rebecca, but herding cats was not her specialty. It was only when the snacks came out that any of the children began to pay attention.

“I don’t see this happening successfully two weeks from now,” said Olivia to Anne. “It’s a good thing this play is about miracles because we’re going to need one.”

Just then, one of the participants appeared before Olivia holding several hard hats.

“Hello,” Olivia said. “You’re the construction worker that drives a bulldozer, correct?”

“That’s right,” he replied. “I appreciate you allowing me to be a part of this, but I’m afraid I’ve been called away for work and will miss the play.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

The man handed her the hard hats. “I’m leaving you with some props so others can take my place.”

“I’m sure some of these children would love to play the role,” Olivia replied, taking the helmets.

The man left, and play practice continued until the ice cream truck drove around the square, and all the children quickly vanished, leaving Olivia alone with her hard hats.

—

Olivia loved Sundays in Edenbury. It was the whole package. Seeing friends before church, the service with her favorite preacher Uncle Shredder, and brunch at the diner. As an adolescent, Olivia dreaded Sundays, but with her father now gone, she found a new appreciation for what he was trying to instill in her. And it was here in Edenbury she fully realized what community looked like.

In the pew next to her, Lucy stood and headed to the lectern to read the passage of the day. Lucy paused until the crowd was settled.

“Today’s reading comes from the book of James, chapter three, verse seventeen,” she began. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all, pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Lucy looked around the sanctuary as she closed the book. “This is the word of the Lord.”

Father Vance rose to deliver his message to another full house. For a brief moment, he thought back to the days when the sleepy little church could barely fill a few rows. With those days apparently over, he wondered what lay ahead for his congregation.

“Last week, we talked about Heaven and the coming kingdom. As we continue to see creation around us longing as that day approaches, we’ll need to seek the wisdom of heaven because it is coming.”

Father Vance looked out at the faces in the sanctuary. There were a few he did not recognize, but none fit the description of the men Stephanie had seen the previous Sunday.

“This passage describes a different kind of wisdom, from a different kind of kingdom and a different kind of King. We also find in the book of James the promise that If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. If we are going to be a part of pulling down heaven in the lives of others—as Father Gregory used to say—it will require this wisdom we read about in James. Lovers of peace, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Whatever the days ahead look like, the people of heaven will need the wisdom of heaven. Let us pray.”

The service closed with a final hymn then Father Vance and Sheriff Stephanie headed out the doors to greet the congregation on the way out.

—

After church, Martha Warren caught Zeke on the front lawn. Lucy and Olivia stopped with him. 

“Mr. Hughes, we had some visitors at the farm asking about you early yesterday,” announced Martha.

Rebecca appeared from behind her mother. “Except they were six months late.”

“Two men in a black sedan,” continued Martha. “They claimed to be reporters and were asking about Lisa growing up through our house like it happened recently. They mentioned you and Heathrow.”

“These men,” replied Zeke, “did they have dark suits on by any chance?”

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Warren. “And a black sedan. Have you met them?”

Lucy stepped forward. “It sounds like the two men Sheriff Stephanie saw here at church,” she said. “They snuck out early last week.”

Zeke looked like he was deep in thought. “Was it explained to them that they were asking about old news?”

“Nope,” answered Rebecca. “Momma just sent them packing.”

“This is very helpful. Can you let us know if you see them again?”

“Of course,” replied Mrs. Warren.

The Warren family moved on, and Zeke turned to Olivia.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” he asked.

Olivia had already made the connection. “It was Friday morning that I uploaded the old Chronicle article about you and the tree at the Warren farm,” she replied. “Someone at TWG thought it was recent news and sent the two men to investigate.”

“Exactly,” Zeke confirmed. “The men showed up twenty-four hours after reading the old article.”

Lucy put her arm around Olivia. “Well done!” she said.

“Olivia, where did you leave off with uploading the old articles?” asked Zeke.

“The next article is about the disappearing barn at Mr. Clemmons house,” she replied. “You know, the one titled ‘Local Leaders Endanger Children.’”

“That’s a classic,” offered Lucy.

Olivia stepped around in front of Zeke. “Could these be the same men that were intimidating my father?”

“Quite possibly,” he replied. “And I think we saw their car our first night in Ames Hill.” 

Lucy took Zeke’s arm as they began walking. “Let me guess. You have a plan for how we can meet these men.”

“And I think I know how,” added Olivia without waiting for anyone to ask how. “Someone at TWG thinks the reprint I uploaded was a current story. And if that’s the case—”

“Then you know what to do,” said Zeke.

Olivia grinned. “Yes, sir, I do.”

—

Zeke had mixed feelings about meeting with the former Mayor of Edenbury. The last time they accepted help from Bruce Davies, he and Lucy ended up in jail. But with Lucy by his side, along with Father Vance and Sheriff Stephanie, Zeke was willing to hear what the former Mayor had to say. Zeke figured Sheriff Stephanie would take the lead on the discussion, and he would save any remaining questions for the end.

When they arrived at the Davies’ home, the group was brought into a spacious den where coffee and tea were served before lunch. Mr. Davies stood to greet them. A house arrest bracelet protruded from his ankle.

“Thank you all for coming today and giving me the chance to try and do some good after so many years of bad decisions,” he said. “I’m glad to tell you everything I know.”

Everyone greeted the former Mayor and sat down. 

“Zeke and Lucy, I’m very sorry about your trip to Ames Hill,” Bruce continued. “I didn’t know the Mayor there very well, and it sounds like I don’t want to. He’s obviously got himself and his whole community in pretty deep.”

Stephanie began as she sat on a nearby sofa. “Mr. Davies, it might be helpful if you start by giving us the background on how you got involved with Heathrow.”

“I’d be glad to,” he replied. “Way back in college, I met the daughter of the CEO of the Heathrow Insurance Company. During our short romance, I was steered toward political science and law. After college, my own thirst for power was exploited, and once Heathrow secured me a seat on the Edenbury city council, I was hooked. They regularly funded my elections for Mayor, and that went on for decades. I knew they monitored The Edenbury Chronicle but assumed it was to keep an eye on me.”

“As it turned out, they were keeping an eye out for activity in a different realm,” offered Father Vance.”

Mr. Davies turned to the priest. “Yes, your band of cohorts here blew that wide open. All along, Heathrow wanted to shut down any miraculous acts of nature, but they needed to have people in positions of power. They monitored and manipulated for decades.”

“Thank you, Mr. Davies, that is helpful,” said Stephanie. “When you were arrested, you mentioned there were other industries involved, and this was bigger than Heathrow.”

“I remember that.”

“How did you know?” she asked.

“Over the years, I started to see other Mayors who, like me, rose to power in local government but would stay stuck in the same position for decades. We could win the local races but would not be allowed to go any further. Heathrow and others needed us to stay in power.”

Zeke leaned forward. “Mr. Davies, have you heard from anyone since your arrest?”

“Are you kidding me?” he exclaimed. “Once Heathrow was exposed, I was left to defend myself. Without my position of authority, they had no use for me.”

At this point, Zeke was comfortable enough to pull out the list of towns started by A.H. Greyson and put it in front of Mr. Davies.

“Are you familiar with any of these other towns?” Zeke asked.

The mayor took a few moments to look over the list. “I see that Edenbury and Ames Hill are on this list. Can I assume the other towns are like them? Where miracles can happen, I mean?”

“Yes,” replied Zeke. “We think we know who is assigned to Ames Hill and now Edenbury. If you have any information on the other towns, we’d appreciate a heads up.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help,” he replied with a concerned look on his face. “What’s the latest on the group threatening Ames Hill?”

“They had some men here just yesterday,” blurted Lucy. “At the Warren farm.”

Mr. Davies looked around at the others. “Is that so?”

“It looks that way,” replied Sherrif Stephanie. 

The former Mayor sat back in his recliner with a final question. “Ames Hill,” he said, “is that the place with the paper mill?”

“You know about it?” asked Zeke.

“Only that they hold a festival there every year,” he replied. “The whole town goes out. It’s a big deal. I believe it’s where I met their Mayor years ago.”

—

As soon as Zeke and Lucy returned home from the lunch meeting, Olivia met them at the door.

“How was brunch at the diner?” asked Lucy.

“Cheryl said she missed you all, but I kept her company. Then I went to the Chronicle office and uploaded the newspaper article about the barn,” she announced excitedly.

Zeke smiled and threw his jacket on the sofa. “Perfect.”

“So, what’s the plan for meeting these men tomorrow?” Olivia asked. “And what are you going to say to them?”

Lucy also seemed eager to hear the details of such a plan.

“We’re going to draw a bigger circle for them,” replied Zeke. “But we’re going to need the help of your friends.”

Olivia raised an eyebrow. “Which friends would those be, exactly?” 

Zeke smiled again as he headed up the stairs. “The elk,” he replied. “Your next assignment is to get your elk friends to show up at Mr. Clemmons' house tomorrow afternoon.”

Olivia’s excitement turned to panic. “Just how am I going to do that?” she asked, now running up the stairs.

“That’s between you and the elk,” Zeke replied.

Olivia and Lucy followed Zeke into the library. 

“Are you on a mission of some sort?” asked Lucy.

Zeke headed directly for a bookshelf and extracted a newspaper. “We missed something.”

With the girls still in tow, he laid out the paper on the table.

“During our first visit to Ames Hill, we purchased this paper at the gas station.”

“And my book,” added Lucy, “and the street map.”

Zeke scanned each page. “Here,” he said, pointing to an advertisement. “This is what Mr. Davies was talking about—the Annual Mill Festival. It’s also what the vines at the graveyard were talking about.”

They all looked at the date at the bottom of the advertisement.

“June fifth!” exclaimed Lucy. “So the vines were trying to let us know something bad is going to happen at this Mill Festival?”

Olivia had her own idea. “Or, we need to make something happen at the festival!” she said. “Like expose the Winholder Group! Maybe Andrea Glenn can come!”

“There’s a third option,” replied Zeke. “With the whole town at the annual festival at the paper mill, something bad is going to happen elsewhere. The festival could be used as a distraction.” Zeke folded the newspaper. "I believe TWG plans to demolish the mansion and the hill on Saturday, June fifth.”

—

Read Chapter 20!