Page 25 of The Hampton Beach Café 5
Just as they were about to answer, the jangling doorbells and a jaunty greeting interrupted them...
“Hi, girls! How’s about we––”
The three women headed for the café floor as one, bumping into each other as Lucinda spun on her heel to pick up the stack of papers she'd left on the counter.
“Sorry, guys, I should have locked the door,” Alex said, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
“What's going on?” Clarkson asked, a fixed smile on his face.
“Clarkson, we need to talk,” Frances said, her voice stern as she approached him.
Clarkson looked puzzled, his expression changing to one of surprise as he saw the stack of papers Lucinda held.
“What is this?” he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Lucinda stepped in front of Frances, holding up the documents for Clarkson to see. “We know what you've been up to,” she said, her voice steady. “Buying properties through your shell companies and deceiving people with faked building reports!”
His awkward smile twisted into a sneer. “That stupid woman has gotten to you, hasn't she?”
“Who, Martha?” Frances replied. “She told us all about you, Jonathon, and all about the trick you played on her with McPherson's.”
With that, Frances snatched the pile of papers out of Lucinda's hands and slapped them down on the counter in front of Clarkson. The multitude of letters informing homeowners that their foundation had been inspected and found to show signs of rot––all signed by the same person––spilled off the edge and onto the floor.
Clarkson's face paled, and he stumbled for words, clearly caught off guard.
“This is a misunderstanding,” he stammered. “I'm just trying to invest in the community and create opportunities. These homes are a danger!”
Frances shook her head, her resolve unwavering. “Your actions speak for themselves, Clarkson,” she said firmly. “There was nothing wrong with her foundations––you faked the report, you faked the repairs while she was out of the country, and you practically stole that house from her at a rigged auction! Ten thousand dollars, for that house? You sold it for two million! You're a fraud, and a liar.”
Kennedy had been observing the exchange silently and looked up from the fraudulent letter she had picked up off the floor.
“Is this true, Clarkson?” she asked, her voice quiet and trembling.
Frances and Lucinda exchanged glances, knowing that their efforts had paid off. Despite his attempts to defend himself, Clarkson had been caught red-handed––and by the worst possible person.
Clarkson's shoulders slumped as he covered his face with his hands.
“I... I didn't mean for it to go this far,” he said. “Ken, baby, come on! It's––”
“Do not call me that. I can't believe you, Clarkson,” Kennedy said, her voice tinged with betrayal and getting louder with every word. “How dare you!? You promised me that you wouldn't develop this town, that you would stay out! And now I find out that you've been using my position on the council to further your own agenda.––that's my damn council seal on the letter!”
Her voice broke, and Frances stepped toward her, putting her arm around her sister's shoulders. Kennedy’s attention momentarily snapped to Frances but didn’t say anything, and didn’t pull away. Frances peered at the letter. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed. The seal on the bottom right of the letter was indeed a council seal of authenticity with Kennedy Pine printed around it like a halo.
Clarkson was visibly taken aback, his usual confident demeanor in tatters. He tried to muster a defense, but his words came out faltering and weak.
“Kennedy, I––”
Kennedy cut him off, her voice rising with frustration. “You've deceived me, Clarkson. You used my trust and my position to defraud people! I can't believe I ever trusted you... let alone loved you, all these years! You snake...”
Clarkson tried to approach her by reaching out a hand towards her, but she stepped back and swatted his hand away with an audible thump.
“Don't you touch me,” Kennedy said, her voice quiet now and filled with anger. “I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Our relationship is over.”
Clarkson looked stunned, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. He had obviously never expected Kennedy to turn against him––and who could really blame him? After all, she had blindly followed him around since high school...
Kennedy wasn’t done though. She took a deep breath and continued.
“I'm going to do everything in my power to undo the damage you've caused,” she said, her voice unwavering. “I will ensure that the truth comes out and you get exactly what’s coming to you.”
