Page 44 of Chosen Path
“Oh. I should go,” Hope said, feeling awkward. “Let me just show you what I’ve found so far.”
“No, stay. Please. It’s been a long day for everyone, and you need a decent meal. There’s plenty of food, and you can tell us about the records while we get dinner ready. After we eat, we’ll walk you home.” Molly made it sound like the only reasonable course of action.
Hope wavered. “If you’re sure it’s no trouble.”
“I’m sure,” Bodhi interjected. “And I’m cooking, so have a seat and go through the files with Molly.”
Hope smiled and scooped her notes and Derek’s file up from the counter where she’d left them before going out on the porch. Molly opened the small under-the-counter wine fridge and took out a bottle.
“Anyone want to join me for a drink?”
“None for me, thanks. But you two enjoy.” Bodhi was already filling Molly’s rice steamer with water. He fetched a bag of long-grain rice from the pantry.
“Hope? Please don’t make me drink alone.”
“Um. Sure, I’ll have a glass.”
Molly took down two glasses from her cabinet and uncorked the wine. She poured them each a small glass. “To imaginary gardens and real friendship.”
“Cheers,” Hope said. She sipped the wine. “I have a question.”
“Hit me.”
“The house was so quiet while I was in the file room. The phone rang several times, but I didn’t hear anyone in the waiting room. Did you cancel all your afternoon appointments?”
Molly laughed shortly. “They were all canceled. But not by me.”
“I don’t understand.”
Bodhi turned from the counter. “Molly and I apparently ruffled some feathers by asking about Derek. After she spoke to Greg Rockman and I talked to Kimberly Dickerson, every single one of her patients called to cancel their appointments.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“Nope. Apparently something came up for all four of them.”
“Oh, that’s not good. You’ve pissed off the council.” Hope grimaced.
“Clearly.” Molly took a swig of wine.
“What exactlyisthe council?” Bodhi asked, now dicing vegetables.
“Hmm. I don’t know how to explain it.” Hope gathered her thoughts.
“They run the village,” Molly said confidently, then she frowned. “Don’t they?”
“Not exactly. The village runs itself,” Hope began.
“How’sthatwork?”
“The residents of the village make all the decisions at a village meeting. Between meetings, the village manager … well, manages things,” she explained.
“Who’s the village manager?”
“Ron Dickerson, Kimberly’s husband. But he’s not the decision maker, he just implements the decisions the villagers make. There’s also a village clerk who keeps the records, is in charge of elections, and issues licenses, stuff like that. That’s Wendy, Greg’s wife.”
“So, the village manager’s wife and the village clerk’s husband are on some separate governing board called the village council, which is in charge of what?” Bodhi pressed her.
She shook her head. She was muddling things, not making them clearer. “Let me start over. The village is self-governing. All the residents of the village have a voice at the meetings. Molly, we haven’t had one since you’ve been here. There’s usually one in May or June. You’ll see the posters all over the square and you’ll get a postcard in the mail. The council is more of a private civic association. There are usually four members of the executive council, who serve for life. They were, until recently, Nik Lundgren, Corrine, Kimberly, and Greg. Greg is the most senior member, so I guess he’s technically in charge. But you’ve met Kimberly. She has a strong personality.”
