Page 59 of A Stranger in Town (Rockton 6)

“Be careful on your way home, Edwin,” I say. “It’s windy today. I remember when I was a kid and a windstorm blew down a huge tree in our backyard. It fell partly into the neighbor’s yard. Dad hired a company to clean it up, but they were busy after the windstorm. The neighbor wouldn’t stop pestering, so my dad hired another company, at a higher price, and sent the neighbor a bill for the difference.”

Felicity frowns, wondering why I’m telling this story. Then she realizes and pulls back with a nod. Edwin gets it right away and only sniffs, “Did your parents take an ax to the tree before it fell?”

“No,” I say. “But it had been leaning precariously. They were trying to figure out a way to remove it safely. One could argue they waited too long, but when they discussed the matter with the neighbors, they offered no help. Just told us that, however we handled it, the tree better not fall on their side of the fence.”

“As charming as this analogy is, Casey, I don’t believe it actually fits our situation.”

“Mmm, no. I believe it does. You’ve never offered to help us deal with the hostiles, Edwin. They aren’t a new threat. We’ve been trying to figure this out, and you just sit there and warn us they’d better not attack your people. Which they never did before we ‘set them off’ by refusing to let them murder us, right?”

I lean forward. “Tell me that you’ve never lost people to the hostiles before.”

“I am here to help,” Edwin says through his teeth.

“Yes,” Émilie says. “I believe we’ve heard that one before. Shall we tell them why you were banished, Edwi

n?”

Dalton turns on her. “Are you sure, Émilie? Maybe you should wait. It’s not like we need this information. Not like the council wasn’t very aware that we were in communication with Edwin and didn’t bother to mention that he had been banished.”

Dalton walks to his desk. “You can both leave. Felicity? If your grandfather had something to tell us, you’re welcome to stay behind and speak for him. But Casey and I have work to do, figuring out what the fuck is happening in the forest, and what to do about it to keep our residents safe.” He meets Edwin’s gaze. “Our residents. They’re the ones who pay our wages. You’re just the old man who sits on his porch banging his cane.”

“What’s going on here?” asks a voice from the door. Phil enters carefully, his gaze sweeping those assembled. Kenny wisely lifts a hand in farewell and retreats.

“Edwin and Émilie would like to speak to you, Phil,” I say. “While you do that, we’ll be at the clinic, talking to April.”

“Casey,” Émilie says. “I understand you and Eric are both upset at being caught in the middle—”

“‘Upset’ isn’t the word,” I say.

“Fucking fed up with everyone’s fucking bullshit,” Dalton says.

“I feel as if I’ve missed something,” Phil murmurs.

I turn to him. “Did you know that Edwin was banished from Rockton? That he was forbidden to set foot in it again?”

“No, but I’m sure…” His gaze travels across us, and he clears his throat. “I was about to say that I’m sure, whatever his crime, the council now considers him harmless, or they would not allow you to have contact with him. I will, however, amend that to the sincere hope that whatever he’s done is moot, given that they have allowed communication.”

No one answers … which is an answer in itself.

Dalton growls under his breath, and when a voice says, “Sedition,” everyone is caught off guard, turning toward the last person in the room we expect to speak.

Felicity.

“My grandfather was accused of sedition,” she says. “Inciting the residents of Rockton to rebel against the authority of those in charge.”

“Ah, sedition.” Émilie crosses the room and stands in front of Edwin. “Your chair, sir.”

His brows shoot up.

“Give me your chair. I’m tired of standing.”

He snorts. “We are of an age, Émilie. I am certainly not ceding the only chair to you.”

“Really? I am the weaker sex, am I not? That’s what you always told me. You were very clear about that.”

Felicity’s gaze swings on her grandfather, who deftly ducks it.

“My opinion has changed—” he begins.

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