Chapter 7. Chaos Reigns

Pam Lafave arrives at Erin’s Cut and Curl salon at 10:00 Thursday morning for her triweekly shampoo and trim. She greets Erin and Jolene, and looking around sees Violet isn’t there. She’s settling in Erin’s chair after the shampoo when Erin says, “Have you heard, there’s going to be another public meeting Saturday night about the plans for the Wellborne beach?”

“No, Erin. Why another meeting?

“According to Mary Jane Bloom’s article in the paper, Carson Crenshaw changed his plans for the property and is concerned his new plan won’t have the support of the village.”

“Where did she get that information? What’s Carson’s new plan?”

“I don’t know the answer to either of your questions. She seems to have spies everywhere in town; or maybe someone tips her off for some personal reason. Anyway, I’ll bet that’s why Violet isn’t here yet. She’s probably at the Coffee Mug cafe stirring up her activist pals to hold another protest. She’s still gripping that the people supported Carson instead of her after the first public meeting. Are you going to the meeting Saturday night?”

“No, I’d rather stay home and work on my art, or maybe I’ll go with Harrison to the Italian restaurant for dinner. I’ll get a report on the meeting at our Monday night Art Society drawing session. I’m sure one of you will go to the meeting.”

“Oh, I plan to be there. I have to know what happens so I can support Jolene.”

“Don’t you have to support the Chamber? What if the Chamber withdraws its support of Carson?”

“I have to support Jolene. I can’t let my employees down no matter what the Chamber does,” Erin says loudly enough for Jolene to hear.

That afternoon after sex at Jake’s cabin Jolene says, “Jake, you get another chance. I am disappointed you didn’t kill Carson when there was a good opportunity right after the meeting at the library. No question, Violet or one of her activists would have been blamed. Carson’s holding another public meeting at the library Saturday night. Can you go this time?”

“No, Jolene. I tried to go to the first meeting. I had to leave before the meeting started. I can’t handle the crowd or the noise of the protestors. I’m not going to try again,”

“Okay, I’m going. It’ll look like I’m being a supportive wife. If the meeting is frustrating for Carson, which I expect it will be, knowing what Violet can do, Carson will go to his boat in the harbor to settle down before coming home. He finds being on his boat calming even if he doesn’t take it out in the lake. Either way, if he goes to the boat it’ll be the perfect opportunity to get rid of him. I’ve thought of a way to make it look like an accidental drowning. If you hang around the harbor, admire his boat and tell him you’d like to go fishing he’ll invite you. When you’re far out of sight of any boats, and he’s putting the downriggers out push him over the back of the boat. He can’t swim, so if you let the boat continue he’ll drown. Pour water over yourself from head to toe, so it’ll look like you jumped in trying to save him.  Bring his body back if you can. That will make your claim of trying to rescue him believable. Don’t blow it this time, Jake.”

“I’ve been thinking about it, Jolene. I would like to be with you more, but killing Carson is a big risk. I don’t know if I can do it.”

“You’ve got to do it, Jake. I can’t go on like this.”

“I understand, let’s have sex again, that’s more fun than talking about killing Carson. Maybe it will calm you.”

“You know I’ll never refuse sex with you, Jake. Anything special you’d like me to do?” Jolene says in her seductive voice as she slides her hand down Jake’s stomach.

As soon as Marylynn leaves the office that Thursday afternoon, and he’s alone the mayor calls Bill Taylor. He says, “Bill, I read Mary Jane Bloom’s article. Do you know what Carson’s up to now?”

“Hello, Mayor. Yes, Carson is changing his plan and is concerned that the city might not support his new plan. I advised him to hold another public meeting, and he’s planning to Saturday night.”

“I know that from the article, do you know what he’s planning now?”

“Yes, he is going to build four luxury homes instead of 20 regular cottages. Your cousin Glen raised the tax assessment so much he can’t make a profit on small houses. He’s concerned the businesses won’t support him if he builds four houses after promising 20. He thinks if the businesses don’t support him the city will back out of extending water and sewer even if it doesn’t change how much tax money the city gets on the property.”

“I see. That makes sense. I imagine some of the businesses will think they’ve been hoodwinked into supporting him, and may want revenge. What do you and your chamber people think, Bill?”

“I haven’t heard from the rest of the chamber members, but I still support him. As I told him, four new families are better than none.”

“Okay, thanks for the update, Bill. I’ll see you at the meeting Saturday night.”

After hanging up the mayor calls Glen Lund. “Glen, this is Paul. Did you read Mary Jane Bloom’s article?”

“Yes, but I have no idea what Carson’s doing.”

“Well, I do. Bill Taylor told me Carson’s now planning to build four luxury homes instead of 20 cottages.

“That doesn’t matter, we’ll still get the same total tax money.”

“Yes, I know. That’s not what concerns me. I know he’s smart, but I didn’t think he’d come up with a plan that works for him so quickly. I expected he’d do something giving us a better opportunity to get that land cheap. Now we’ve got to make another move. I don’t know what yet. For now, I plan to stir the pot at the public meeting Saturday night. What happens at the meeting will give us clues on what to do next. Be sure you’re there, Glen.”

“Okay, Paul. I’ll be there.”

Waters waits for half an hour, then calls David Wellborne when he thinks Wellborne has had enough time to get home from work. “Hello, David, this is Paul Waters. I don’t suppose you get our Weekly Journal in Detroit. There’s an article in this week’s issue I think you’ll be interested in. It says Carson Crenshaw has changed his plans for the Wellborne beach property. There’s going to be another public meeting this Saturday night at 7:00 at the County Library where Carson’s going to explain his new plan.”

“What’s his new plan, Paul?”

“I don’t know,” Waters lied. “There are lots of rumors in town. If you’re concerned maybe you should come up, and go to the meeting.”

“Yes, I’m concerned. I’ve never trusted that guy. I’ll be there.”

After hanging up, the mayor smiles to himself, ‘I’ve stirred the pot enough. Now lets’ see if it boils over Saturday night’, he thinks as he leaves the office for home.

The scene at the library for the Saturday night meeting is the same as before. Violet Green’s group of activists are marching back and forth in front of the library chanting and carrying new signs saying, “Kill the Development”. The sheriff has two deputies keeping the activists outside and letting citizens in. The mayor sits in front as before. This time Jolene is sitting next to Carson. At 7:00 the mayor stands up and waits for the packed room to quiet down. Then he says, “Mr. Crenshaw wants to give us an update on the plans for the Wellborne beach. He’s going out of his way to be completely open with our community, so I ask you to listen patiently. There will be an opportunity for comments and questions after Mr. Crenshaw completes his presentation. Mr. Crenshaw, the floor is yours.”

“Thank you, Mayor. I’m pleased to see so many here tonight for this update. A circumstance I had not foreseen requires I change the plan I presented to you three weeks ago. I owe everyone an apology for not foreseeing the tax assessment on the property would be updated when the city annexed it. As you may expect, and I should have foreseen, the assessment has increased now that the property is in the city rather than the county.”

There’s some mumbling and head nodding as Carson pauses for his comments to sink in. Then he continues, “I promised to build 20 cottages, and I promised to use local building tradesmen as much as possible. Unfortunately, that plan isn’t profitable with the higher tax assessment. I could abandon plans to build, but I don’t think that would be fair after my promises. Instead, I am going to proceed with the development, but with four luxury homes.”

Carson pauses again. There are audible gasps from some in the crowd, and Peter Brown jumps up and shouts, “You’ve tricked us. We believed you, and supported your plan to build 20 cottages. I can’t support your new plan. Four new houses aren’t enough to get my support.”

Peter Brown’s comments are followed by several people jumping to their feet, and yelling in support of Carson or Brown. The mayor listens trying to gauge which side has the most support. He looks at David Wellborne. Wellborne’s face is turning red. The mayor sees Wellborne’s lips saying, ‘That SOB’. The mayor can’t tell what Wellborne says after the SOB. Deciding he can’t tell which side is dominant, he says, “Mr. Crenshaw, is there anything else you want to add?”

“Thank you, Mayor, yes. Again I apologize the plan has to change. I understand many of you are disappointed. I’ll try to make up for some of your disappointment. I’ll commit to paying downstate union scale wages for the local building tradesmen. It may not make up for what would have been earned on the 20 cottages, but it’s the best I can do.”

Crenshaw’s additional comments start another round of people jumping up, and yelling support or opposition. The mayor thinks he hears threats against Crenshaw. He stands up, and asks for calm. He waits, slowly the yelling stops. Then he asks, Mr. Crenshaw do you have a backup if the City Council decides not to extend water and sewer to the property?”

“Yes, Mayor. I’ll put wells, septic tanks and drain fields in for each home. Unfortunately, that requires cutting many of the big trees on the property. I’m hoping the Council keeps their commitment to extend water and sewer to the property.”

When the crowd hears Carson talk about cutting the beautiful trees on the Wellborne beach land there’s another round of screams in opposition. As the screams die down the mayor says, “Thank you all for coming tonight, and thank you Mr. Crenshaw for explaining your new plan. Let’s all calm down, and go home now.”

As the crowd begins to leave Jolene stands up, and kisses Carson. She says loud enough for those close by to hear, “Great job, Honey. You’re doing what’s right. I hope everyone understands that.”

Carson replies, “I hope so. It’s the best I can do. This was stressful, Jolene. I’m going to the boat to chill for a while before coming home. Don’t wait up for me.”

As Jolene is walking out the mayor sees her glace at Erin O’Shea, and say, “Hi Erin, I’m proud of Carson. I think he handled that well. What do you think?”

Erin replies, “He did a good job with a difficult situation, Jolene.”

The mayor watches everyone continue filing out except David Wellborne. Wellborne moved to the front of the room while Jolene talked to Carson. After she leaves the mayor hears him start an argument with Carson. He claims Carson has cheated him and he’s going to find a way to get even. The mayor intercedes and finally gets David to quiet down and leave. Carson thanks the mayor, and waits until last to leave. Most people have left the parking lot when Carson leaves the building. Not Violet’s activists. They’ve been waiting. When they see Carson their screams intensify, and continue until he gets in his car, and drives away. The mayor notices Wellborne waiting outside watching the activists screaming at Carson. Wellborne finally goes to his car as Carson drive off toward the harbor. Before Wellborne gets in his car he turns to the activists, and yells, “Now he’s planning to cut the big trees on Wellborne beach.” 

Violet and her activists gather in a circle, and shout their criticism of cutting any trees at each other as the mayor watches two sheriff’s deputies shake their heads and walk slowly to their patrol car. 

Soon after the mayor gets home, he gets a call from Glen. Glen says, “That was quite a show tonight, Cousin. Have you decided on our next move?”

“No, Glen. Carson handled it far better than I expected. Let’s wait to see what Mary Jane Bloom writes this week. I could see her taking notes feverishly. Keep your ears open to learn how people react to her article. Maybe that’ll give us some ideas. Be patient, Glen.”

“Alright, Paul. Good night.”