Chapter 15
As Jackson and Olivia pulled up to her childhood home, Charlotte welcomed them with open arms. In the living room, surrounded by the comforting scent of vanilla candles and the flickering light of a fireplace, Liv took a deep breath. The room suddenly seemed to hold secrets long buried. With a determined gaze, she turned to her mother and broached a subject that had hung in the shadows of her family history.
“Mom,” Liv began, “I need to know more about the Waverly family, about the time of Chris and Rainey”s deaths.” As she looked at Jackson, her gaze carried a mixture of pain and yearning for truth.
Charlotte, her eyes reflecting the weight of the past, hesitated for a moment before inviting her daughter and Jackson to sit. She recounted the events leading to the tragic fire that claimed the lives of Christopher Waverly and Rainey Ashcroft, known to the town as Rainey Bradshaw. The story matched what they already knew.
“What was the town’s reaction?” Olivia asked.
“The news of Chris and Rainey”s plan to reunite Ashcroft Crossing and Waverly Junction into a new land for both the Waverlys and the Ashcrofts sent shockwaves through the town.”
Olivia and Jackson listened intently as Charlotte spoke.
“It had to be a big mistake. It was foolish. Chris and Rainey were going to destroy the status quo. Robert Kendrick advised them that the council would sue. Voices were raised. Threats were made.” She blew out a breath. “I was a patrol officer then in Waverly County. The Waverly Junction chief assembled a group of us to maintain the peace.
“The tension escalated as Christopher, passionate about his vision, clashed with Robert Kendrick. The conflict reached a point where punches were thrown, leaving the council chamber in chaos.
“Christopher stormed out with Rainey.” She blinked as the memories flooded back. “Later that night, Jackson, your dad was on duty. Our phone rang. There was a fire. The Waverly house and the woods were up in flames.
“Liv, your dad and every available firefighter responded. The driveway was blocked by a fallen tree. By the time they got water on the home and gained entry, they found Christopher and Rainey collapsed by the main doors. They apparently died from smoke inhalation.”
“So, it was a homicide,” Olivia said.
“Yes, as far as I’m concerned. But when it happened, the fire was ruled a tragic accident. The report at the time said the fire was started by lightning. But it was a clear night with a full moon. Another cover-up.”
Charlotte walked to a bookshelf, pulled down a large book, and sat beside Olivia. After opening the book, she handed her a file. “This is what happened. When I moved up the ranks, I compiled as much information as I could. I could never get definitive proof of who, but I’m sure the fire was started by the council.”
“Christopher and Rainey’s plan to unite the two powerful families ended in disaster.” Jackson blew out a harsh breath.
Olivia reached for Jackson’s hand. She couldn’t understand why the town had held these secrets for so long.
Charlotte seemed to read her daughter’s mind. “Waverly Junction was created by a bunch of people looking for a new beginning. They came from a powerless world seeking new power.” She shook her head. “Whoever is starting these fires is forcing the secrets into the light.”
“Mom, it’s more than that. Jackson’s whole identity is wrapped up in this, and his life is at stake,” Olivia spat.
Charlotte sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lessen the importance of this whole situation, Jackson.” A furrow creased her brow, a silent plea for understanding as she struggled to articulate the depth of her remorse.
“I”m sorry too,” Liv murmured, her voice tinged with anger. She reached out tentatively, her hand hovering in the space between them before finally resting gently on his arm.
Jackson nodded with acceptance. “My mom told me some, but, Charlotte, from what you heard, how was I found?”
“As they lifted Rainey’s body, David and Chuck couldn’t believe their eyes. Curved in the crook of her arm was a newborn boy, gasping for breath, clutching a silver rattle. They took turns providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”
The folder contained news clippings. One of the headlines poetically proclaimed a life had emerged from the ashes of destruction. Olivia gulped. “Jackson, you’re the phoenix,” she whispered.
“Mom, what would happen if the town found out there was someone with dual heritage, Ashcroft and Waverly?” Olivia’s question lingered.
“Well,” Charlotte considered Olivia”s question, “if the town was already against Chris and Rainey”s plan to unite the two families, the discovery of someone with both Ashcroft and Waverly blood could further complicate matters.”
Charlotte continued, “The town might react with a mix of curiosity, suspicion, and perhaps even fear. Dual heritage can carry its own weight, especially if the person challenges established norms and traditions.”
Olivia”s mind raced. Waverly Junction was resistant to change. Did the current town council run things like in the past? And, if so, would they find it difficult to accept the idea of someone being both a Waverly and an Ashcroft?
As Olivia’s mind whirred, Charlotte said, “People might question the legitimacy of the person’s claim to both families. It could become a divisive issue within the community.
However,” she sighed, “there could also be those who see this person as a symbol of unity.”
“Mom, with the library fire, where might there be other records? Who else might be able to give us information?” Olivia rolled her shoulders. “God, if I don’t figure this out, more people are going to die.”
Jackson got up and started to pace the Everhart living room.
When her motherdidn’t answer right away, Liv switched gears. “Mom, can you tell me more about the fire that claimed Dad and Jackson’s father’s lives? How did it happen?”
Charlotte took a deep breath. “It was a terrible night, Liv. Jackson”s father was responding to a call for a house fire in Ashcroft Hills. When word spread how bad the fire was, your dad and Fred responded with the next battalion.”
“What happened at the house?” Jackson asked.
“The fire was fierce. Jackson, your dad and two firefighters made their way to the basement.” Tears filled Charlotte’s eyes. “I’ve never repeated this part of the story.” She gulped. “They found the two teens in the basement. As the two firefighters escorted the kids out, David somehow couldn’t get out. He put out a mayday call. Chuck, he ran in to help. But then, something went terribly wrong. They both became trapped.” She rubbed her chest. “By the time help got to them, both were gone.”
Jackson pulled at his hair. “Could my father have been the target?”
Charlotte paused, stood and took Jackson’s hands. “Your father and Chuck were inseparable friends. Something trapped your father. Chuck wasn’t supposed to be there. The cause of the fire was never clear, though the police from Waverly Junction declared it accidental. The family who lived there were known hoarders. The town was trying to evict them. Investigators thought a candle set it off.
“The town mourned the loss of two brave firefighters that night. Your father and Jackson”s father were decorated firefighters, pillars of the community. The arson detectives declared the floor collapse a tragic result of the mess and fire. But, Jackson, your father was running for re-election to the town council. Both men believed they had proof of some major criminality.
“Chuck and David suspected that certain members of the council were holding secret meetings. They were controlling everything. Embezzling money, making underhanded deals... and running those investments like a Ponzi scheme.”
“Why didn”t they do something about it?” Liv was incredulous.
“Oh, Liv, they tried. But the council was too powerful; the members threatened their livelihoods. And your fathers... they wanted to protect us from all of it. Jackson, you were older, but your father didn”t want to burden you with the ugliness of it all.”
“I wish he had told me,” Jackson sighed. “Maybe I could have helped him somehow.”
“He wanted you to have a normal life, free from the corruption that plagued our town.”
“But it was more than that, wasn’t it?” Jackson asked.
“Yes, more than your fathers’ jobs being threatened,” she whispered. “One day, Izzy went missing while I was shoe shopping for Ruthie, Molly and her in Waverly Mart. I thought she wandered away. I never imagined she was taken.” Her breaths grew pained. “I grabbed a salesperson. They had the doors locked, started a search, called the police.”
She closed and opened her eyes. “A sales associate found her on the loading dock, a red cord tethering her to one of the wheels. She had a new doll in her lap and was eating a chocolate bar. A note was pinned to the back of her sweater: Next time you won’t find her. She was three.”
Olivia’s hand lifted to her lips with a gasp.
“Your dad was done. When David heard what happened, he quit too. But they kept digging. And when they found something, David ran again with Chuck at his back.”
“Well, now that we know, we can”t just sit back and do nothing. Dad and Jackson’s dad wouldn”t want that,” Liv cried.
“Be careful. The council, those people are dangerous. Your fathers knew that better than anyone,” Charlotte warned.
“We’ll be careful, Mom, but we can”t let this go. Our dads may not be here anymore, but we’ll make sure their legacy lives on. Besides, the majority of the old town council are dead, either through the recent murders or natural causes.”
“Someone killed those people for a reason.” Charlotte frowned. “The current council is filled with legacy children,” she explained, her voice tinged with disdain. “Their parents served on the old council, and now they”re carrying on the family tradition.”
“Charlotte, what was the straw that broke the camel’s back and convinced my dad to run for election again?” Jackson asked.
Charlotte hesitated, her expression turning somber. “Oliver Barrett, he was twenty-five. His dad was on the council. Oliver disappeared. He was found on the bank of the Ashcroft River just over the county line. The investigation came under my jurisdiction.”
“I remember him. We played baseball together,” Jackson said. “He OD’d.”
Charlotte nodded. “He died from a narcotics overdose. His father insisted he never used or sold drugs. Waverly Junction PD provided an entire file showing multiple drug offenses. Your father went crazy. He was sure Dexter Barrett was telling the truth about his son. After a conference with Dexter, I asked the ME to test a sample of Oliver’s hair.”
Olivia dropped her head in her hands. Jackson wrapped his arms around her. “You proved he was murdered.”
Charlotte took a shaky breath and nodded. “When the results came back, I began a full-scale investigation. Dexter Barrett admitted he was under pressure to vote for a deal with a new electric company. He had been refusing. I was able to prove a known dealer gave Oliver a hotshot after a poker fundraiser for the hospital. I could never substantiate the order came from the council. We tried to investigate, but it was like hitting a brick wall. No one wanted to talk, and those who did were too scared to speak up. Dexter resigned from the council shortly after. He and his wife moved out of state.”
“Would they come after you for investigating?” Olivia worried.
“If I tied it to the council, yes. But it was more likely the letter campaign your father and David started it. As part of David’s campaign, they alleged corruption within the council, having to do with the power company.”
“And then both Dad and David Reynolds died in that fire. It can”t be a coincidence.” Olivia teared up.
Charlotte knelt in front of her. “I know, Liv. It”s all very suspicious, but without any concrete evidence, we”re just left with questions and uncertainties.” She grew increasingly tense and hesitated, her words catching in her throat as she grappled with the weight of the truth she was about to reveal.
“There”s something I need to confess,” Charlotte began, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. “I didn”t investigate further to protect you and your sisters.”
Olivia”s brow furrowed in confusion, while Jackson”s expression softened with understanding.
Charlotte continued, her eyes clouded with guilt, “Jackson, your mom made it clear she wanted no part of it, and your dad did his best to shield her. When Chuck, David and I first started uncovering the corruption within the council, we knew the risks involved.” Her voice filled with regret. “But then... then my Izzy was taken. And then your fathers were killed.
“I couldn”t bear the thought of putting my girls in danger again,” Charlotte confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “So, I backed off. I didn”t investigate as thoroughly as I should have.”
Olivia reached out, placing a comforting hand on Charlotte”s shoulder. “You did what any mother would do,” she reassured her mother, her voice soft but firm.
Jackson nodded in agreement, his gaze filled with respect for Charlotte”s sacrifice. “We understand,” he said gently. “And we”ll do everything in our power to make sure no one else has to suffer like our families did.”
“Have you spoken to Lucy Harper?” Charlotte asked.
“Who is she?” Olivia asked.
“She works for the Gazette. She interviewed me for an article,” Jackson advised.
“She’s writing a piece about the history of Waverly Junction. More like an exposé about all the sordid rumors. I don’t know who her source is, but the few pages she showed me about the police department were accurate. She also said she has told enough people and mailed her pages to a New York editor to protect herself. The timing of the arsons and deaths does seem suspicious, especially with everything that happened back then. But with Lucy Harper writing a book, this could also be a smokescreen to divert attention away from something else.” Charlotte swiped some of her hair behind an ear.
“Like killing Jackson?” Olivia whispered.
Charlotte stared Jackson in the eye. “It”s a theory worth considering. The phoenix on those vials... it could be symbolic. Rising from the ashes, starting anew. Maybe it”s not connected to whatever happened twenty years ago at all.”
Jackson nodded, absorbing the information. “You think someone is trying to rewrite the more distant past, not necessarily the twenty-year past?”
“That”s what we need to find out. You should both explore the timeline of Jackson’s life events. Look closely at what was happening in Jackson”s life when these arsons started. His involvement in the community, his relationships. Think about any conflicts, any changes, anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden in plain sight. Something happened just prior to the start of the deaths,” Charlotte said.
Jackson nodded. “So, you think there might be something in my past that”s connected to all of this?”
“It”s a possibility. Or something in the present.” Charlotte looked at Olivia. “You”ve been through a lot lately, and sometimes our past experiences can come back to haunt us in unexpected ways.”
“Mom”s right, Jackson. We can’t leave any stone unturned in our search for the truth. If there”s anything in your past that might be relevant, we need to know about it.”
Jackson took a deep breath. “Okay, I”ll think back and see if I can remember anything significant. But what if I can”t find anything?”
“Then we”ll keep digging. We won”t stop until we”ve exhausted every avenue of investigation. Together, we”ll uncover the truth, no matter where it leads us,” Charlotte said.