Page 110 of Brewing Up My Fresh Start
“That’s normal,” Jessica says, checking her watch. “David’s been making phone calls all afternoon. Something about compliance questions that mysteriously appeared on the interviewer’s notes.”
My stomach drops. “He’s feeding them questions?”
“Questions designed to make you look incompetent or financially irresponsible,” Mrs. Hensley confirms. “But we’ve done our homework too.”
She hands me a manila folder thick with documents. “Research on David Norris’s business practices across three states. Jessica’s book club network is more extensive than the FBI.”
I flip through pages of business registrations, partnership dissolutions, and what appears to be a comprehensive timeline of David’s predatory partnerships. “How did you find all this?”
“Just because I’m old as dirt doesn’t mean I don’t have strong internet research skills,” Mrs. Hensley says. “David has been running the same scam for years—target successful community leaders, gain access to their business plans and community connections, then disappear with everything valuable.”
“This is evidence of a pattern,” Jessica adds. “Individual victims couldn’t pursue legal action, but coordinated documentation from multiple communities? That’s different.”
Hope blooms in my chest for the first time in two days. “Can I use this in the interview?”
“You can use whatever you need to protect yourself,” Mrs. Hensley says firmly. “But Michelle? Don’t go in there thinking you have to handle this alone. Some battles require allies.”
Before I can ask what she means, the coffee shop door opens and Channel 7’s field reporter enters with the kind of smile that suggests she’s hoping for scandal rather than celebration.
“Michelle Lawson? I’m Rebecca Santos from Channel 7 News. Ready to talk about your federal grant funding?”
I force a professional smile and wonder if this is how gladiators felt entering the arena. “Absolutely. Let me just grab my project files.”
The camera crew finishes setting up while I arrange my documents on the counter. The grant applications, budget spreadsheets, project timelines—everything that proves the preservation funding is legitimate and well-managed.
Rebecca settles across from me with predatory grace.
“We’re rolling in thirty seconds,” the cameraman announces.
I take a deep breath, thinking about everything this project represents. The historic buildings that will be preserved instead of demolished. The local craftsmen who will have work for years. The community spaces that will serve Twin Waves for generations.
The future Grayson and I planned together, even if he’s not here to see it realized.
“Three, two, one?—”
“Good evening. I’m Rebecca Santos with Channel 7 News, reporting from Twin Waves, North Carolina, where local business owner Michelle Lawson has received over two milliondollars in federal preservation grants. Michelle, thank you for joining us.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“Let’s start with the basics. These grants represent a significant amount of taxpayer money. Can you walk us through how the funding will be used?”
The question is straightforward, designed to establish credibility before the attack. I explain the preservation timeline, the historic significance of the buildings involved, the economic impact on local contractors and craftsmen. Standard information that’s been public record since the grants were awarded.
“The project preserves historically significant architecture while creating sustainable economic opportunity for local businesses,” I conclude. “It’s exactly the kind of community investment these federal programs were designed to support.”
“And this project was developed in collaboration with Reed Development Corporation?”
My chest tightens at the mention of Grayson’s company. “Yes. Reed Development brings expertise in sustainable construction practices and historic preservation techniques.”
“Despite potential conflicts of interest between preservation goals and development profits?”
The question carries an undertone that suggests an unnamed source has been feeding Rebecca information about tension between preservation and development. Some jerk who wants to cast doubt on my professional judgment.
“There are no conflicts of interest. Preservation and sustainable development are complementary goals when projects are designed thoughtfully.”
“Some critics suggest that personal relationships can compromise professional decision-making. Your partnership with Reed Development—is it purely professional?”
Heat flashes across my face as I realize David’s strategy. He’s not just attacking my professional competence—he’s using my relationship with Grayson as evidence of poor judgment.
