Mondays were always bad for James Porelli, but this one was worse. Not only was the monthly town meeting scheduled for tonight, but it was Halloween besides. It had rained earlier during the day and the streets were still wet. The night glare of street lights and car headlights always made it hard to see at nights. The little goblins dashing in and out of the street as they went on their way for trick or treat made the driving even more frustrating. Twice already James had to brake for the little buggers and he cursed them out to himself inside the privacy of his car.
He was nervous about the meeting tonight, even though it had been a few days since his mother had humiliated him. So, far no one had mentioned anything to him, indicating that it had become public knowledge. But, he did not feel at ease that the incident had gone unnoticed. He expected Ben MacCready to have told the story by now, but he hadn’t. Why not? James wondered. Perhaps, MacCready didn’t know about it either. He also wondered how his mother was doing and more importantly if she had said anything to anyone. Especially about MacCready. If she had that would certainly let it all out of the bag.
He was already late for the council meeting, when he pulled into the parking lot next to the town hall. It was already ten after eight and the Mayor was always prompt about bringing the meeting to order at exactly eight o’clock. Oh, how he wished he didn’t have to go in there. If only he could turn around and go home. But, he supposed, that would just mean postponing the inevitable. There was nothing else for him to do, but get out of the car, put one foot ahead of the other and walk inside.
“Nice of you to make it, Councilman,” Mayor Gridly said as James came in through the side door. The Mayor was a plump little man, with a round face and jowls hanging down like mutton chops. His voice was gravelly and caustic.
“Sorry for being so late, Mister Mayor,” James said as he hurried in and passed in front of the long table that had been set up on a platform at the far end of the room. There were a half dozen townsmen sitting in the gallery.
James took his usual seat at the table with the other three council members. Ted Beasely, the high school principal sat to his left and Martin Callan sat to his right. The Mayor had the center position and his Town Clerk, Maggie Summers, sat next to him on the other side with Lew Drum to her right. Sue Blaine, the secretary sat at the far end of the table.
“Now that Councilman Porelli has graced us with his presence, I suppose we can proceed now,” Gridley said sarcastically.
James seemed to shrink into his chair and his shoulders rounded. He kept his head down, his eyes staring at the table. The Mayor went on with the business at hand. James found it difficult to concentrate on what was going on and the Mayor’s raspy voice merely echoed dully in his ears.
The usual mundane details of the meeting went on with the reading of the minutes from the last meeting and the offering of the latest financial report before Jim finally composed himself enough to concentrate on the business at hand.
For a small town, participation from the gallery was usually small, and tonight was no exception. Of the half dozen spectators, only two had anything to present. One was complaining about dogs running about town unleashed. Another complained that garbage pick up was too early and she liked to sleep in.
By a quarter to nine, four of the spectators had left and the meeting was winding down, when the rear door opened.
James jumped erect in his chair as his mother and Hal Hall entered. Liz shuffled forward leaning on the new quad cane she had just purchased. Hal steadied her on the left as they made their way to the front row and seated themselves.
James’ eyes met those of his mother’s. He saw that determined look that always made him shudder, ever since he was a little boy. He knew that when his mother was set on doing something, there would be no stopping her. And he was sure he knew what she was here for. He quickly looked away from her and slumped back down in his chair. If only he could be invisible.
From here on, he could barely listen. The dread was just too heavy on his shoulders, but somehow he could hear the mayor recognizing her and giving her the floor to speak.
“Mister Mayor, Distinguished Council Members, I come before you with a matter of grave proportions,” Liz said, trying to sound like a Turner Classic Movie actor in a courtroom drama.
James shook his head with despair. Then suddenly, he pushed his chair back and stood up,” Mister Mayor,” he interrupted. Gridley’s round head bobbed. His beady eyes flared with annoyance.” Before Mrs. Porelli presents the issue,” James continued.” I suggest we take her concerns up post meeting after all participants have left.”
“Sit down, Councilman,” the mayor barked.” You are out of order. And must I remind you that this is a public forum open to all citizens. We have nothing to hide from the public.” He smiled his oily politician smile at the two remaining people in the gallery.
“Perhaps, Mister Mayor,” Liz started again with a less stilted form of speech.” Councilman Porelli is right. I would feel more comfortable without an audience.”
“All right,” Gridley growled.” But these proceedings will be recorded and available for the public at a future date. Is that understood?” He glared at James and nodded to Liz.
Liz nodded in return. The gavel sounded and Gridley ordered.” The gallery will now be closed except for Mrs. Porelli.”
“Now, Liz,” Mayor Gridley said quietly. His demeanor was friendlier and less formal now that they had adjourned the formal meeting. They had moved to the conference room across the hall where everyone could sit around the large oval table. The door had been closed and locked.” What is this matter that’s on your mind.”
“Well, Fred,” she started to say with comfort, then remembered herself.” I mean, Mr. Mayor,” she quickly corrected herself.
“We’ve been friends a long time, Liz. It’s okay to call me Fred as long as we’re not in an official meeting setting.”
Liz smiled, pulled a handful of lollipops out of her coat pocket and tossed them in the center of the big table.” Help yourselves, gentlemen;and…ladies,” she added as an after thought.
She picked one up herself and unwrapped it. Cherry. Things were still going good.
The mayor picked one up but the others refrained.
“Well, this may shock you, but I assure you it’s all true,” Liz started.
“Mother,” James butted in; a feverish tone rising in his voice.” You don’t have to do this. Why don’t you just go home and give it a rest.”
Liz ignored him and looked directly at the mayor.” It’s important that I report this,” Liz started to say again.
“Mother. Don’t do this. Please.” James begged.
“That’ll be enough of that, Jimmy,” Gridley chided like a father.” Your mother is old enough to know what she’s doing. And, obviously she thinks it’s important to bring to our attention.” Then his tone became more accusatory and grim.” And more obviously, young man, you know what this is all about and you haven’t already brought it to our attention. I find myself quite perplexed that you would keep something important from the rest of us.”
Then to Liz, he said in a much more congenial tone.” Now, Liz. Why don’t you continue with what you have to say.” He glanced at James and his tone was stern.” And there will be no further interruption from the council.” He turned back to Liz with a smile and nodded for her to proceed.
“What I have to say here, is about Ben MacCready, our Chief of Police,” Liz started. James hung his head and sighed; dread permeating his entire body. He shook his head in despair.
Liz went on to tell about MacCready’s stalkings of herself and Celia Parks. She told of her suspicions about him being the intruder that had broken into her house and about he had tried to abduct her from Amity Hospital.
The mayor and the council listened intently as she went on. The expressions of disbelief and perplexity was common to them all. When Liz had finished, there was complete silence in the room for several moments. Final
ly, Fred Gridley spoke up. His gravelly voice was low and heavy with concern.” Liz,” the mayor said.” I’ve known you a long time and I know you are not one to make things up or exaggerate them, but I’ve known Ben MacCready a long time too and he has been a good Police Chief. He has been known to be honest and forthright. He has an excellent high standing in this community. So, please don’t take offense that I find these allegations to be beyond my belief.” Several of the board members nodded their agreement.
Liz’s eyes flared with a bit of anger.” It’s all true……,” she started to protest, but the mayor held up his hand in a halting motion and interrupted.
“Just wait a minute, Liz. Hear me out. I do believe that you believe it is all true. I’m merely saying that perhaps, you’ve misinterpreted these things and perhaps there is some reasonable explanation that may put his actions in a different light.”
“I’ve tried to think otherwise,” Liz said.” I couldn’t believe it myself at first. But then as everything happened, I had no other explanation. I had to believe it to be true.”
“If it is,” Gridley said.” What reason would he have for this kind of behavior.”
“I don’t know,” Liz said.” Perhaps he had something to do with what happened to Joe. Maybe he hurt Joe, just to get his job.”
“I find that hard to believe, also,” the mayor said.” That hardly seems like a motive.” Then to the council members, he said,” Any comments from the council.”
The members looked from one to another, each waiting to see if the other had something to say. After a moment, Martin Callan spoke up.” I agree that it’s hard to believe that Ben MacCready could be guilty of anything sinister, but we should all remember that none of us really knows anyone else that well. Who knows what any of us are capable of. I don’t think Liz would come to us crying wolf or making things up, but as I say, none of us knows anyone else that well. I think we should bring these allegations before Ben MacCready and give him a chance to defend himself, if he can. If we find that what Liz believes is true, we should bring him to justice, just like we would anyone else. Probably more so. After all, he is public servant and we have entrusted him with the safety of our community and if that trust has been violated, he should be made to pay for it.”
The response around the table was non existent. Callan looked from one member to another, waiting for agreement. James Porelli was still staring down at the table. Lew Drum caught Martin’s glance and quickly turned his face away. Beasely was nodding affirmatively, weakly. The Mayor stared at Callan warily.” Don’t you all agree?” Callan asked finally, requesting a direct response.
Beasely spoke up his agreement and there was a slight unenthusiastic grunt of agreement from Lew Drum.
“I hate to believe anything bad about our Police Chief,” the mayor said.” But I guess I have to agree with you, Martin. We need to confront Ben MacCready. I suggest we call a special meeting, closed to the public of course and confront him with these accusations.” Then to Liz he said.” I think it only right, Liz, that you be here and restate what you have just told us. Ben has a right to face his accuser directly.”
The car heater was just starting to warm up. Liz and Hal had left the meeting ahead of the others and had been sitting in the car for ten minutes. From their vantage point, parked along the side street that ran parallel to City Hall, they could watch the members leave the building one by one, save for the Town Clerk and the Secretary who came out with the mayor first. The mayor walked across the parking lot, got in his car and drove away. The two women had obviously ridden to the meeting together as they both got in the same car and left. The school principal was the next to leave. Then Martin Callan followed by Lew Drum.
Liz and Hal watched from the darkness until the last car left. Hal turned to Liz and said,” Well. What do you think?”
Liz took the lollipop from her mouth and said,” I think it’s time to fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
*****
Chapter Twenty Six