“Only if Haley throws gas on the fire, yes,” Brad miserably confessed. “But not in the way you would think, Phillip—”
“I think I've heard enough, Brad. I'm going to call a town meeting. The meeting will take place tomorrow at three sharp. I expect you to be at the meeting. You will tell people of Pine Snow what you know, but you will tell me first, in private,” Phillip ordered. He looked at Haley. “Leave me alone to talk to your brother.”
“Of course.” Haley nodded. She stood up and left Phillip's office. As soon as she was alone in a private hallway, Haley called Rita. “It's me. Where are you?”
“Packing,” Rita fussed. “I got fired, remember? I was nearly arrested. It's a good thing I have dirt on some people.”
“Look, there's going to be a meeting tomorrow at three sharp. Get to Pine Snow as fast as you can. Bring your files.”
“I'll need a roof—”
“You can stay with me, for crying out loud. You know I have your back, Rita,” Haley insisted.
“You better because I got fired because of you, but hey, nobody twisted my arm. Besides, I was getting sick of wearing a suit. It's going to be nice to be free from the government.” Rita threw some clothes into her suitcase. She had a plan. Haley had caused her to get fired from a job she loved. Now it was payback. All Rita had to do was play nice until she ruined Haley. After all, what were friends for?
“I've got your back, Rita. Just make sure you're in Pine Snow by three o'clock tomorrow.”
“I'll be there,” Rita promised.
“Good. I'll see you then.” Haley ended the call, glanced around, and then hurried off to steal more presents.
“Brad, why didn't you tell me these things? Phillip demanded in a shaky voice as Haley hurried back out into the snow. “People who are connected to the mafia are working on the island, Betty's husband was caught up in illegal activities, and Mr. Tolsky beat up the son of a man who has his hands in the pockets of some very powerful people. Oh my...” Phillip began sweating bullets.
“Phil—”
“Don't Phil me. You had an obligation to tell me.” Phillip began to fuss.
“Phil, I'm conducting an investigation to make sure I have everything right.” Brad lost his cool for a second. “Haley is trying to twist the truth in order to get everyone all worked up.”
“But you can't deny the people Candy Baker hired have a connection to the mafia in one way or the other, can you?” Phillip insisted.
“No,” Brad lost his steam. “No, Phil, I can't deny that fact. I wish I could, but I can't.” Brad dropped his shoulders. “I'll be at the meeting tomorrow.”
“Make sure you are, and you better worry about your job, Brad, because after tomorrow, many people in Pine Snow may demand you resign!” Phillip ended the call with a hard hand.
Brad put his phone away and then simply looked at the fireplace. As he did, Candy walked back into the library. “I was outside the door. I heard the call because you put the call on speaker phone.”
“We're in trouble, Candy.”
“I know.” Candy walked up to Brad. She handed the man a cup of coffee. “What will you do?”
“What can I do? I will have to try and convince everyone that Haley is twisting the truth,” Brad answered. “Do me a favor. Go tell Peppermint to clear the island road. I have to make it back to town today one way or the other. My wife asked her sister to stay over with her, but it looks like I'm going to the knitting party they planned.”
Candy hurried out of the library and stopped in the hallway to pray. “Dear Lord, You are holding a bag full of miracles, and I know You didn't bring us this far just to let a woman like Haley Huntington destroy Christmas. This island is meant for children and is meant for toys. Please give me the strength to fight and do what is right. Please be my devouring fire. Amen.”
Haley ended her prayer and hurried to find Peppermint. As she did, her phone rang. A strange number showed up. Candy stopped at the bottom of the main staircase. She dared to answer the call. “Hello?”
“Candy Baker?”
“Yes, this is Candy Baker.” Her voice echoed up the main staircase and began wandering down long, empty hallways.
“Candy, this is Rita Drakes. We need to talk money. Why? Because you have a choice...make me rich or I'm going to ruin your life,” Rita informed Candy and then smiled. “If you make me rich, I'll get rid of the thorn in your side, but if you don't, I'll become a thorn as well.”
Outside the snow continued to fall on an island that was slowly turning into an iceberg instead of a bright, shining Christmas light filled with laughter and joy.
