Page 43 of The Woodcarver's Model
Cedric frowned. “What is that supposed to mean—in terms that a simple publisher might understand?”
Rob clarified. “Any destination can safely handle a certain number of tourists before the drain on the resources like drinking water, transportation, and space in general will cause the resources to run out. Think of what’s happened to Venice, where Venetians can’t afford to live in their own city because of the demands placed on the city by the cruise ship industry. Marsh Island is like a well-functioning ecosystem and, as such, is a finely balanced organism. If the developers want to add thousands of people a year to it, what they have now will collapse, and what the tourists went there for in the first place will be gone. The island community bio-system, as it now stands, will die.”
“Well…that certainly is a statement. And what are you proposing?”
“The article begins”—Rob passed Cedric a USB key containing the manuscript and image files—“by covering the beauty of the place, its history and the people who make the island the colourful destination it is. It wraps with the gut-punch about what could happen if we don’t step up and put a halt to the development. If you’re interested, we could turn this into a two-part series, but I understand if you can’t spare the column space. And I’ll do it for free.”
“For free?” Cedric’s eyes lit up.
“It’s a cause that means a lot to me.”
“Well, that’s very generous of you. Very generous indeed. Estelle told me you were a man of conscience. I look forward to reading this today. I can get back to you by this evening.” Cedric put his hand on Rob’s shoulder and walked him into the main office.
“Thank you, Mr Craddock—Cedric. I really appreciate it. You can get me at the number on the cover page.”
“If we play our cards right, we can get this into our next edition which Brenda’s laying out right now. Brenda!” Cedric snapped.
Startled out of the focused attention she was giving the article she was working on, she looked up. Once again, the errant strand of hair fell across her sweat-dampened face.
“Have Mr Hanson sign a standard contract, and kill the sewing circle article. We have to make space for the Marsh Island piece,” he yelled as he returned to his office and slammed the door.
Rob thought,If this were an old Hollywood movie, someone would have yelled, “Stop the presses!”
Brenda just sighed and said to no one in particular, “But I just finished setting the piece…” She slid a paper across the counter to Rob. “Sign and date on the bottom line. It’s all the standard stuff. And I heard you say you were doing this for free”—she looked up at him—“thin walls. I hear everything—so if that’s the case, strike out this section and initial here.”
* * * *
The two visitors made it into the living room and looked at Kevin who stood there in stretched-out track pants and a sweatshirt. Like Mitch, he’d had run-ins with the law and recognised these two for what they were.
“Are you Robert Hanson?” she asked Kevin.
The female was obviously the one in control.
“No. I just used to sleep with him. He’s my brother’s now. We were taught to share our toys.”
“Do you have a name?”
“Kevin Carcross,” he answered as he flopped down on the couch.
“Tell me what’s happening,” Mitch prodded.
Now the male spoke up. “Do you two live here with Mr Hanson?”
“This is my house. I own it.”
“Well, that’s a point of contention,” Kevin interjected.
“Rob and my brother are staying here,” Mitch continued. “You still didn’t answer my question. Who are you? Or do I have to call the police?”
“No need to, Mr Carcross,” the female answered, pulling out a small leather folder from her inside jacket pocket. “We are the police. RCMP. Inspector Sandra Collins, and this is Staff Sergeant Bill Needy. You have nothing to worry about. We’re here looking for Robert Hanson. You said that Mr Hanson is not in. Will he be back soon?”
“He went to Victoria for a meeting. He said he should be back by tonight if…nothing holds him up.”
Sergeant Needy picked up the questioning. “Mr Carcross—”
“Me or him?” Kevin asked. “I mean we’re both Mr Carcross, after all.” Mitch stared at his brother. Was he flirting with this guy?
“Him,” Needy answered sharply. “You stated that you were Mr Hanson’s boyfriend?” he asked Mitch.
