Cole sat on the arm of the couch beside Ellie, his hand on her shoulder. "Here's what we know: Derek filed a formal complaint with the Vermont Hockey League two days ago. We were preparing to respond to that through official channels. Now this article gives that complaint public legitimacy."
"So he's escalating," Mac said. "Complaint first, then article. What's next?"
"He probably targeted Ellie first, then he will come after Rachel," Mac said, looking at Rachel with concern. "He's already texting her from multiple numbers," Mac said.
Rachel's expression shifted, guilt, fear, shame all flickering across her face.
"Rachel, what did Derek say to you?" Ellie asked.
"Nothing. We should focus on you. It’s far more important,” Rachel said.
“Whatdid he say?” Sophie added, she’d stopped pacing and stood right in front of Rachel with concerned eyes.
“Okay, yeah. It’s just that—" Rachel's voice was small. "The same things he said to me before. That I'm holding Mac back like I did with Brad. That he will resent me eventually. That I should leave him, for his own good."
"All lies," Mac said.
"One thing at a time. What about the article?" Sophie asked. "Do we respond publicly?"
"I say we expose him," Mac said suddenly. "Not just the article. Everything. His pattern with other PTs like Rachel said. There must be others he has trampled. We show the world who Derek Matthews is."
Cole nodded slowly. "Town hall meeting. Friday evening. The whole town will be there. We make our case publicly."
"Can we pull that together in three days?" Ellie asked.
"We don't have a choice," Cole said. "The longer Derek's article circulates without response, the more damage it does."
Rachel's phone beeped on the coffee table. Everyone looked at it.
Another unknown number. Another text visible on the lock screen, Rachel read it out loud:
Unknown:I saw you going into Cole's house with Ryan MacKenzie. Emergency meeting about my article? You should know, I have more documentation ready to publish. This is just the beginning.
The room went quiet.
"He's watching us," Rachel whispered.
Cold fury settle into his bones. “Then we end this. Friday night.”
Sophie nodded. “I’ll spread the word. Make sure everyone comes to the town hall.”
“I’ll get Jamie compiling all the evidence together with Ellie,” Cole said.
Rachel leaned forward before anyone else could speak. “I’ll handle the community side,” she said, decisive. “Mrs. Henderson knows everyone worth knowing in this town.”
Sophie grinned. "That's my girl."
Ellie looked at her, surprise flickering across her face. “Thank you.”
Rachel met her gaze. “You’re not standing alone in this.”
“Neither are you,” Ellie said.
The meeting wrapped with clear assignments. But as Mac and Rachel walked out together toward his truck, the morning sun too bright for the heaviness, he knew this was only the beginning.
And whatever came next, it wouldn’t be subtle.
38
