Page 30 of Dark Prince

I lean in to absorb his words. My elbows are on my knees, and my fingers are intertwined. “Can you give me an example?”

“Take the community center,” he says, his hands clasped tightly together. “It used to be neutral ground, a safe space for everyone. Now, however, it's a battleground for territorial disputes because Sharon decided it was a convenient place to conduct her business.”

I remember the center well, a place where I'd spent countless afternoons as a kid. The thought of it becoming corrupted is a bitter pill to swallow.

“And the locally owned businesses,” Father McCarry continues, “they're being squeezed for protection money more aggressively than ever. It's not just about survival anymore—it's about profit at the expense of our own people. Shopkeepers I've known for years are closing down, Maura. It's heartbreaking.”

His words paint a bleak picture that resonates with the whispers I've heard and the changes I've seen with my own eyes. “It's like she's tearing the fabric of the neighborhood apart,” I say, the realization hitting me hard.

“Exactly,” he agrees, his gaze meeting mine. “And it's not just the physical changes, either. It's the loss of a sense of community, of belonging. People are afraid, Maura. They are afraid to speak out, afraid of what might happen if they do. Sharon's reign has introduced a level of fear we've never seen before.”

“Sharon's gotta step down. She's causing too much chaos. But what can I do about it? I feel so helpless, and I don’t know where to begin.” It's like I'm throwing a lifeline out, hoping for some genius idea to come back and slap me in the head.

Father McCarry gives me a look, one that suggests he's got a trick up his sleeve. “Do you ever think about taking another peek at your dad's will, Maura? Perhaps there's something in there that was overlooked.”

The thought stops me cold. “But Sharon had her lawyer go over it,” I tell him, feeling a bit of a jolt. “I didn't even think to question it. I guess I was too wrapped up in my own grief.”

Suddenly, his idea doesn't just feel like a shot in the dark but more like a beacon lighting my way out that I otherwise hadn't noticed. “You think Dad’s will might have something in it that could put a stop to her?”

“Definitely worth a look,” he says encouragingly. “Your dad's words might just be the ace we need.”

Thinking about digging back into the will, something I let Sharon's lawyer paint any which way he wanted, doesn't seem so scary now. It feels like a chance to gain back some control and maybe save what's left of this mess.

“I'm going to read it word for word myself, then get someone who actually knows what they're doing to check it out,” I state confidently, feeling a new resolve forming within.

“That's the spirit,” Father McCarry says with a smile, sounding like he's already halfway to celebrating. “If you find anything in there, even the smallest little detail that Sharon missed, we might be able to turn this whole ship around.”

And just like that, a plan is hatched. Not just any plan, but one that feels solid, like something I can actually accomplish, start to finish. It's not just about knocking Sharon down a peg; it's about doing right by my dad's memory and fixing the mess that's been made.

Father McCarry suddenly gets a look on his face like he's just hit the jackpot and starts digging around in his desk as if looking for treasure. He pulls out a business card and hands it over like it's the golden ticket to the Chocolate Factory. “Take this,” he says in all seriousness. “The guy's a legal wizard, and he's been with the church forever. I'd trust him with my life.”

“Frank Dreschel,” I say out loud as I read the card, locking the name in my brain. “Thanks a million, Father. This could be the game-changer that we need.”

He gives me a smile that makes me feel like everything's going to be okay. “Anytime, Maura. And hey,” he adds, his eyes lighting up, “you know you've always got a place here. Whether you're looking for some peace, a bit of quiet, or just a place to gather your thoughts. Never forget you’re welcome at any time, day or night.”

His words hit me right in the belly, taking me back to a time when things were simpler, when my belief was solid and unwavering. “I won't forget,” I tell him, truly meaning it.

After a warm hug goodbye, I exit Father McCarry's office and take a moment to stand in the church. The candlelight and the saintly faces in the stained glass give me a mix of comfort and nostalgia. It's a quick breath of peace before diving back into the whirlwind that's my life right now.

Walking out of St. Brigid’s with Frank Dreschel's card in my grip, I've got a new spark of hope. There are still a lot of unknowns and risks, but for the first time in what seems like forever, I don't feel like I'm in it alone. Father McCarry's belief in me, his subtle push toward returning to the church, is not only a nice gesture but a lifeline, a reminder of the strength rooted deep within me thanks to where I come from and the community that raised me.

The fight to restore my family's name to the community's good graces and shield everyone from Sharon's fallout is just getting started. But with new friends in my corner and a fresh burst of determination, I'm more than ready to take on whatever's coming.

I step outside; the air's crisp bite makes me feel more alive and even more ready to tackle the mess ahead. Frank Dreschel's card is still in my grasp, and before I even realize it, I’m dialing the number with urgency.

The secretary's surprise is palpable through the phone when I tell her who I am. “Yes, that's me,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel.

Before I know it, Frank's on the line, sounding like the kind of guy who means business. After I lay it all out for him—the will, Sharon's shady dealings, our family’s tainted reputation in the community—he's all in. “Let's meet tomorrow,” he says, and I can almost hear the gears turning in his head. “Give me a bit of time to get everything ready.”

Hanging up, I feel a little flame of hope flickering inside me. Knowing Frank's on board, taking on Sharon doesn't feel so impossible anymore. It's like I've been handed a key, and I'm about to unlock a whole heap of secrets.

A grin breaks out on my face as I pocket my phone. Thinking about the meeting with Frank, about actually being able to do something to cut through the web that Sharon has spun, has me feeling all kinds of determined.

I had asked the Uber driver to wait for me, and as I head to where the car is parked, my steps are full of purpose and my mind is racing with plans. It is like I've got a map in my head, and I'm about to start the treasure hunt.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car pulls up and the driver quickly rolls down the window, explaining that he will be my new Uber driver and that my original driver had an emergency. I start to reach for the car door, but the driver jumps out before I can, opening the door for me. I start to climb inside before I notice that the driver is running away.

Then, my world explodes into chaos as a thunderous roar shatters the quiet neighborhood, and a blinding flash of light envelops me.

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