“That's not the point,” Haley plowed forward. “Candy and her gang of criminals are up to no good. I'm certain Betty is also involved.”
“Oh, come now. Betty has made many contributions to Pine Snow. She helped the hospital build the new x-ray lab that saves us the trouble of having to drive all the way to North Point. It’s because of Betty, a person can have an MRI right here in Pine Snow. Now, I admit our town is still small and poor, and our hospital is nothing more than an aid station to most people, but at least we're trying to offer people choices and—”
“I don't need your political talk, Phillip,” Haley snapped and then winced. She didn't need to crawl down Phillip's throat. “Look, the best way to pull the wool over people's eyes is to play real nice, right? Sure. And that's exactly what Candy Baker and Betty Vance have been doing. They have been working real hard to earn public trust.”
“For all of these years?” Phillip asked. “And what about Haley winning the lottery?”
“I think that allowed Haley to finally push out on her own and get out from under any oppressive thumb she was under.”
Phillip leaned back in his squeaky desk chair. He studied Haley's determined face. “Haley, this is all so absurd.”
“Call the town meeting and then demand my brother tell everyone what he knows, and then you'll see how absurd this situation really is,” Haley warned Phillip.
“Well, I don't know. Perhaps I should call Brad.”
“Yes, please do,” Haley insisted and then grinned. “Please do.”
Phillip didn't like Haley's grin. He picked up his desk phone and dialed Brad's phone. Brad picked up on the second ring. “Brad, this is Phil. Where are you?”
Brad was standing in the library inside of the castle. “I drove out to the island. The snow has me trapped on the island for now. I should be able to reach town tomorrow. I called Pete. Pete will handle things in town until I get back.”
“Why did you drive to the island?” Phillip asked.
Brad was grateful he was in the library alone. He needed time to think after talking to Sandy with Candy and Betty. “I needed to. Well, Phil, I needed to talk to Candy Baker, to be perfectly honest.”
“What about?” Phillip tried to play dumb.
“I was going to request a meeting with you tomorrow to explain certain concerns that have appeared on the radar, Phil.” Brad struggled to offer a clear answer.
“I see.” Phillip looked at Haley. Haley grinned again. “Brad, what is going on? Haley is in my office, and she's saying that Candy is some sort of criminal.”
Brad dropped his head like a condemned man being led to his prison cell. Haley was fast at work. “What did Haley tell you, Phil?”
Phil informed Brad of the claims his sister had been making. “Should I be concerned, Brad? Is Haley right?”
“In a way, yes, and in a way, no,” Brad answered. “Haley is twisting the truth, Phil, and Candy Baker hasn't paid me off. I should arrest Haley for even suggesting such a thing.”
“Haley told me you have a gambling problem.”
“A gambling problem...” Brad lifted his head. Steam began to pour out of his ears.
“Is she right, Brad?” Phillip asked.
“Phil, back in my college days, I went through a period when I bet on hockey games, okay? I was young and stupid and became addicted to the thrill of winning. But those years have long passed.”
“Have they?” Phillip dared to press.
“Yes,” Brad insisted. “Phil, you know me. You know my wife. We go to the same church, for crying out loud.” Brad had to draw in a deep breath in order to calm down. “If I had a gambling problem, do you think I would be living in Pine Snow?”
“What about Candy Baker, Brad?” Phillip asked.
“Phillip, my sister is determined to ruin Candy Baker. She broke the law in order to find out confidential information.”
“So, there is truth in what Haley is telling me?”
“Haley could be arrested if she tells you anything, and she knows that.”
“Regardless of that fact, there is cause for concern, correct?” Phillip insisted.
