Chapter Five #2
As we approached Evergreen Falls, I gasped at the sight of the town's holiday transformation.
Every building, every streetlamp, every inch of public space had been decorated to the hilt.
Multicolored lights turned Main Street into a rainbow tunnel.
Giant snowmen and candy canes lined the sidewalks.
Storefronts featured elaborate displays—O'Malley's Bakery had created a gingerbread village with working train, while Harrington's Department Store showcased animatronic elves building toys.
"Oh my gosh, look!" I exclaimed, pointing at a life-sized sleigh complete with mechanical reindeer that moved up and down in simulated flight. "They added that this year! Isn't it magical?"
Pax's pained expression only made me laugh harder. His face looked like someone who'd just discovered that candy canes were required uniform. "Holy—" he began.
"Christmas wonderland!" I finished, clapping my hands in delight. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"It's... something," he managed, looking completely overwhelmed by the display.
"Your inner Grinch is showing," I teased, enjoying his discomfort perhaps a little too much.
Miller's Gas Station appeared ahead, relatively subdued with only a modest wreath on the door. A beat-up Jeep was parked beside the air pump, a lanky man with Pax's jawline but a much more approachable demeanor leaning against it.
Rudy straightened as we pulled in, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of his brother. "Well, well. You look... different."
Pax glared as he stepped out of the truck. "Don't start."
"I mean it in a good way," Rudy insisted, glancing meaningfully at me as I joined them. "You seem less... broody."
"He's still plenty broody," I said, extending my hand. "Nice to meet you in person, Rudy."
Rudy took my hand, then pulled me into an unexpected hug. "Thank you for getting my reclusive brother to rejoin the human race. I've been trying for years."
Pax cleared his throat pointedly. "We're on a schedule."
Rudy released me with a grin, and the family resemblance became even clearer.
Same jaw, same intense blue eyes, but where Pax was all contained power, Rudy had an easy charm that probably worked wonders with sources.
"Right. Operation Christmas Justice is a go.
" He handed us each a laminated press badge.
"You're now officially with the Mountain Gazette.
I've got the tech gear in my Jeep. The plan? "
While Pax outlined our strategy, I changed into my elf costume in the gas station bathroom. Staring at my reflection, I hardly recognized myself. Not because of the ridiculous outfit I'd worn hundreds of times, but because of the determination in my eyes.
When I emerged, both brothers turned to look at me. "How do I look?" I asked, giving a little twirl.
"Like Christmas threw up on you," Pax said dryly.
I grinned, unfazed. "Perfect. That's exactly the look I was going for. Holiday camouflage activated."
Rudy handed me a small earpiece. "Comm check. Can you hear me?"
I nodded, adjusting the nearly invisible device in my ear. "Loud and clear."
"Alright, team," Rudy said, clapping his hands together. "Let's go save the day."
The town square exceeded even Evergreen Falls' usual winter extravagance.
The massive tree dominated the center, its lights creating a kaleidoscope of colors against the darkening sky.
Wreaths and garlands draped every available surface.
A giant gingerbread house large enough for children to walk through stood near the fountain, with a line of eager kids waiting their turn.
Couples snapped selfies in front of an enormous sleigh stuffed with wrapped packages.
The stage had been erected at the north end, currently empty but surrounded by technical equipment and a massive screen.
The square was already filling with townspeople bundled in winter coats, children enjoying treats of all varieties, vendors selling hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts.
The mingled aromas of gingerbread and evergreen filled the square, blending with the buttery smell of fresh popcorn.
In any other circumstance, I would have been in heaven.
I squeezed Pax's hand. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
His expression softened slightly as he surveyed the scene. "It's not terrible," he conceded.
I laughed. "Coming from you, that's practically a miracle. That's another point for your reward tally."
We split up as planned—Rudy heading to the control booth with the USB drive, Pax positioned near the stage to keep watch for Nolan and his security team, and me circulating through the crowd in my elf costume to gather intelligence.
I made my way through the square, smiling and waving as I always did, though my pulse quickened with each step.
Several people greeted me warmly, thankfully not believing Nolan's accusations.
Others averted their eyes or whispered as I passed.
One mother pulled her children closer, as if embezzlement might be contagious. The divided reactions stung.
"Pepper! Just the person I need."
I turned to find Martha Klaus striding purposefully toward me, her silver-rimmed glasses glinting under the holiday lights as she beckoned me closer with a quick gesture.
"Hi Martha, Merry Christmas," I said, not sure if she'd believe in my innocence or if she'd accepted the rumors.
She pulled me behind a large display, her clipboard clutched against her chest. "I never believed for one second you took that money," she said fiercely.
"That man has been cooking the books since he took office.
I've been tracking discrepancies in the North Pole Village budget for months but couldn't prove it was him. "
Relief washed through me. "Thank you for believing in me."
"Of course I believe in you. Now, what's the plan? I know you have one—you always do."
I glanced around to ensure we weren't overheard. "We have proof. Financial records showing Nolan diverted the funds to his personal development company."
Martha's eyes sharpened with vindication. She flipped a page on her clipboard, revealing a detailed timeline she'd apparently been keeping. "I knew it. What do you need from me?"
I explained our strategy quickly. Martha nodded, making rapid notations on her clipboard. "I'll have the second microphone ready by the tree. Just give the signal." She tapped her watch. "Seven minutes to speech time."
"Nolan spotted," Pax's voice said in my earpiece. "Three security with him. Approaching from the south entrance."
"I see them," I replied, spotting Nolan across the square with his enforcers flanking him like dark shadows. One of them scanned the crowd with cold, calculating eyes that sent a chill through me. "Martha's here too, by the hot chocolate stand. She's on our side."
"I'm in position," Rudy added. "The tech guy was surprisingly willing to take a coffee break. Something about needing to smoke. I've got our evidence ready to go and queued up on the system. Just waiting for your signal."
My pulse quickened as Nolan took the stage, his politician's smile firmly in place as he waved to the crowd. I'd once found that smile charming. Now I could see the calculation behind it, the emptiness in his eyes.
"Citizens of Evergreen Falls," Nolan began, his voice booming through the speakers. "Welcome to our annual celebration! Despite the challenges we've faced this year, including the unfortunate situation with our charity funds, the spirit of giving remains strong in our community."
The crowd's reaction was mixed—some nodded along, while others exchanged angry or worried glances.
"And I promise you," he continued, "as your mayor, I will personally ensure that every child in need receives a gift this season, despite the setback."
"That lying snake," I began, then caught myself.
"Steady," Pax cautioned in my ear. "Wait for the right moment."
I took a deep breath, moving closer to the tree where Martha stood ready. Nolan droned on about community spirit and resilience in the face of adversity, each word stoking my anger higher. Finally, he reached the part of his speech we'd been waiting for.
"And now, as we light our town tree, let us remember that even in our darkest moments, the spirit of Christmas—"
"Now," Pax's voice commanded in my ear.
The massive screen behind Nolan flickered, then filled with the incriminating spreadsheet—columns of numbers showing clearly how funds had been diverted from the toy drive to "EF Downtown Revival LLC.
" A second document appeared beside it—a registry showing Nolan Wickett as the sole owner of the company.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Nolan froze mid-sentence, turning to see what had captured their attention. His complexion shifted from pale to flushed with anger.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, as the tech team scrambled to cut the feed.
Martha was already moving, her clipboard abandoned as she grabbed the second microphone from its stand near the sound equipment and rushed to my side. "Now, dear," she whispered, thrusting the mic into my hands. "Tell them everything."
My hands trembled as I raised the microphone, but my voice came out clear and strong, carrying across the square.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I called, "What you're seeing are financial records showing how Mayor Wickett has been stealing from our charity toy drive. Money meant for children's presents has been funneled into his personal development company."
Nolan's face contorted. "This is a fabrication! Pepper Prescott is trying to frame me after stealing the funds herself!"
"The documents are authentic," Rudy called out, stepping forward with his press credentials visible. "Rudy Forrester, Mountain Gazette. We've verified the records with three independent forensic accountants. Mayor Wickett has been embezzling from multiple town projects for years."
The crowd erupted—murmurs became shouts, confused whispers turned to exclamations of outrage.