Chapter Thirteen D: The Interview That Wasn’t
The man with the camera arrived at Lena’s house an hour later.
He introduced himself as Patrick Shaw and said he produced neighborhood reports for an online video channel.
“I’m doing a story about homeowners who resist safety oversight,” he said.
Lena remained behind the closed screen door.
“Who asked you to do that story?”
“I’ve been speaking to concerned residents.”
“Which residents?”
Patrick adjusted the strap on his camera bag.
“I don’t disclose my sources.”
“Then I don’t have anything to add.”
He looked disappointed.
“Mrs. Brant says you threatened to use your former position against her.
”
“She can make that claim to the officer handling the case.”
“People deserve to hear both sides.”
“People deserve to know whether a statement is supported before you publish it.”
Patrick lowered the camera slightly.
“Are you saying she’s lying?”
“I’m saying I won’t participate in an interview built around an accusation you haven’t checked.”
She closed the inner door and waited until his footsteps faded.
Ten minutes later, Ben called.
“He’s at my house now,” Ben said.
“What did he ask?”
“Whether my daughter was nearly injured because your driveway was unsafe.”
Lena pressed her hand against the kitchen counter.
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him she wasn’t injured and that the cord was put there by someone who didn’t have permission.”
“Good.”
“He wanted me to say I was frightened to let her play outside.”
“Were you?”
“Yes, but not because of your house.”
Ben exhaled sharply.
“I don’t want my child turned into a prop in this argument.”
“Then don’t let him film her.”
“I won’t.”
Later that evening, Ruth arrived carrying a tin of shortbread biscuits.
She placed the tin on Lena’s table and sat without taking off her coat.
“Celia called me this afternoon,
” Ruth said.
“She wants a vote to remove me as committee secretary.”
“Can she do that?”
“We don’t have proper rules for a vote.”
Ruth opened her hands.
“That’s part of the problem.”
She explained that the committee had begun years earlier as a group of neighbors who organized leaf collection and holiday lights.
Over time, Celia had begun speaking as though it were an official neighborhood authority.
Most residents had not objected because the activities seemed harmless.
“I signed some of the notices,” Ruth admitted.
“I thought I was helping people keep the street tidy.”
“Did you know she was contacting inspection companies?” Lena asked.
“No.”
Ruth’s answer came immediately.
“But I should have asked how she was paying for all those printed letters.”
Lena poured tea into two mugs.
“You can ask now.”
“I intend to.”
Ruth finally removed her coat.
“I’m not asking you to save the committee.”
“Good, because I don’t want that job.”
“I’m asking whether you’ll come to the library meeting and explain what a real complaint looks like.”
Lena considered the request.
She had planned to remain quiet until the official investigation ended.
But she remembered Gloria at the bus stop and Simon beside his damaged bicycle.
They had been drawn into the argument without choosing it.
“I’ll explain the difference,” Lena said.
“I won’t make the meeting about Celia’s personality.”
Ruth smiled for the first time that evening.
“That’s exactly why I came to you.”
