Page 60 of Counting Quarters

“Nice to see you, too, Mayor Douglas,” I purred sarcastically through my office door, not bothering to stand and greet him.

His round figure practically rolled through the station, just barely fitting through the gaps between desks.

By the time he reached me, his breathing had already grown labored.

“What game do you think you’re playing with those boys?” His loud voice boomed off the cinderblock walls.

He lasted a whole two days before hobbling his way in here to find me.

The two officers stood up, silently asking me if they should step in. I shook my head, then stood to usher the mayor into my office so I could close the door.

Not that it mattered. They’d likely hear every word if he continued shouting.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to, Mayor. The Quarters and the coven asked their questions, and I gave them answers.”

“How did they know about the clothes?” he asked, seething.

I knew this was coming. I had considered long and hard what I would do when he questioned me. There were whispers about the animal carcasses, but as far as he knew, no one was aware of the detail of the clothing—just a few of my officers and the mayor.

My initial instinct was to lay all the blame on Tabitha. No one would think twice about it, and no one would bother going after her, either. In fact, they’d expect it.

But we were on the edge of war in Beacon Grove—the city I swore an oath to protect. And the people I care about were going to be caught in the crossfire. They had been for years, since I watched Bonnie get wheeled out of her home in a body bag. Since I watched Asher and Mason drive out of town.

When this story was told to future generations, I wanted to be on the right side of history.

“I told them.”

My admission fueled his anger even further. He flailed his hands in the air, creating a spectacle. “Why would you do that?! We agreed…” He stepped closer toward me, and I offered him one warning look to step away before he started something he couldn’t finish. Realizing his disadvantage, he obliged and backed into the office door, then tried again.

“We agreed you’d keep this under wraps until we could find answers.”

“With all due respect, Mayor…” I shot him a look that said the opposite. “Something tells me you’ve done everything in your power not to find answers.”

“You don’t know what you’ve started, Kyle. I’ve done my best to hold them back. There’s no stopping what’s about to come.”

“What are you saying?”

I wanted him to admit it. I wanted to hear him say that while Beacon Grove was suffering at his hand for the sake of safety, he had been priming us to be an easy target for our enemy.

He quickly realized his mistake, though. His mouth tightened into a tight line as his words resonated. He lifted his hands in surrender.

“I don’t know what I’m saying. I’ve just been blindsided by this whole thing,” he backtracked.

His left hand reached behind him then, twisting the doorknob so he could make his escape.

“Just remember, Mayor,” I said in a low, warning tone. “There’s going to be a winning side and a losing side in this fight. You’re dangerously teetering on the line between the two. I’d suggest you pick a side before one gets picked for you.”

He stared at me for a beat, brows raised high onto his forehead. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and waddled back toward the doors he came in.

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