“Sorry, I wish it was more helpful, but too much information is as bad as having too little,” she said earnestly. Her speech pattern was quick and clipped, her voice rising several octaves as she went on a mini-rant. “That letter in the Gazette brought a lot of ugly out in this community and, frankly, all over the place. There are a lot of posts from people who don’t live in or around Garden Cove. Heck, I found one post that originated from freaking Russia. I don’t know whether to hate these people because they are the worst kind of trolls or feel sorry for them because they obviously have zero joy or love in their lives if this is how they behave toward total strangers.” She sucked in a deep breath at the end. Her eyes were watery with unshed tears of her righteous indignation.
I put my hand on her shoulder. “Did you getanysleep last night?”
“I’m good. I’ve gotten less sleep studying for a final.” She waved a hand dismissively. “I’m just mad as heck.”
“I can tell.” I squeezed her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t let the trolls win, okay? Their words can’t hurt me.”
“That’s just it, Aunt Nora, their words can hurt.” Her voice was angry. “You don’t understand the reach people can get on the internet. It can damage your business and your reputation.”
“I think both of those will be just fine,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “However, I’m going to need some coffee before I hear any more about all the people who hate me.”
She snatched up her cup and handed it to me. “I just brewed a fresh pot,” she said. “Black, two sugars.”
I chuckled and shook my head as I took the mug from her, trying to hide my unease. “Coming right up.” After all, the kid had worked nonstop through the night to gather data on my behalf. If she wanted to boss me around a little this morning, I would let it slide.
As I poured fresh coffee into two mugs, the doorbell rang. It startled me for a moment until I remembered that Reese and Broyles were outside watching for bad guys. She wouldn’t have let anyone come to my door who wasn’t on a safe list.
I hollered to Ari, “See who it is,” and then finished doctoring her coffee with the two sugars.
“It’s Ezra and Mason,” she yelled back.
Good, I thought. Ezra loved me enough to make all the people who hated me less important. When I walked back into the living room, I expected a happier reunion, but my guy looked miserable.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Did something else happen?”
“In a manner,” he said. “The Gazette got another letter.”
I set the steaming mugs on the coffee table, pushing Ari’s near her phone. Worry laced through me as I thought about what another letter would do to my ability to work and live in Garden Cove. “Did they publish it?”
He shook his head. “Darla Potter put a stop to it. But that doesn’t mean whoever sent it won’t try to get it seen in other ways.”
I clenched my jaw, wanting to scream at how easy it was for people to lie and even easier for gullible people to believe it. “Do you have it?”
“Chief Rafferty took a picture and texted it to me. It’s typed and printed like the last one,” he replied.
I made a gimme gesture. “Let me see.”
Ezra took his phone from his pocket and pressed it to his chest. “It’s bad, Nora.”
“How bad is it?” I said, mimicking the classic joke style of call and respond.
Ezra didn’t laugh. “Bad.” He woke up his screen and handed me his phone.
What I read next made me sick to my stomach.
To the Residents of Garden Cove,
It is with a heavy heart and an even deeper sense of urgency that I write this follow-up letter. The recent events that have shaken our town to its core compel me to speak out once more. We must confront the truth about Nora Black, whose actions have proven to be a grave danger to our beloved Garden Cove.
Just a short time ago, our peaceful street fair, what should’ve been a grand celebration, was marred by a disruptive shooting. Panic and chaos erupted, leaving many of our friends and neighbors traumatized. While the true perpetrator remains unknown, evidence has surfaced that points to Nora Black’s involvement. Her suspicious behaviors cannot be overlooked.
As if that wasn’t enough, a horrifying incident at a local church has further exposed the peril she poses. She was present when a bomb, planted with malicious intent, detonated inside the hallowed walls of Cove Community Church. Disturbing clues suggest Nora’s hands, along with her psychic nose, are all over this vile act, casting an even darker shadow over her already tarnished reputation.
Though some may find it hard to believe, the pattern of violence and terror that follows Nora Black cannot be ignored. Her presence in Garden Cove is becoming synonymous with fear and unrest. The safety of our community is at stake, and we must act decisively.
We cannot allow ourselves to be deceived by those in public law enforcement who would have you believe she’s a hero. Nora Black has proven time and again that she is willing to jeopardize the lives of innocent people for her own accolades. Her cowardice, heartlessness, and now apparent involvement in these new violent crimes make her a menace we can no longer tolerate.
As concerned residents, it is our duty to protect our town from those who seek to harm it. We must demand a thorough investigation into Nora Black’s activities and ensure that she is held accountable for her actions. Let us stand together, united in our resolve to restore peace and security to Garden Cove.
