This is because of me," she said quietly, "because you helped me." " This is because of Wade, not you, never you." " You've lost everything." " I've lost a building. That's not everything."
He gestured at the families gathered around. " This is everything, people standing together, refusing to back down. Wade can burn my garage, can't burn that." Evelyn started crying. Sarge moved to her, put his head on her knee, comfort position.
Agent Pritchard called at 10:00 a.m. "Mr. Holloway, I heard about the fire. You all right?" " Fine. How'd you hear?" " I made some calls last night, started asking around about Wade Kimball.
Apparently, that triggered something because 3 hours later, your garage is burning. That's not coincidence. Can you prove it?" " Not yet, but I'm opening an official investigation. As of this morning, Wade Kimball is under federal scrutiny, loan sharking, racketeering, possible arson.
I've got approval to surveil his operations, monitor his communications, the whole apparatus." " How long until you can arrest him?" " Weeks, maybe months. Federal cases take time. We need ironclad evidence.
Can't afford mistakes. Evelyn's house seizure is tomorrow. We still don't have the injunction." " I'm aware. I've contacted the judge, explained that the seizure is part of an ongoing federal investigation.
Asked for a delay. Can't guarantee results, but I'm trying." " Appreciated." " Mr. Holloway, I want you to know something. What you've done, organizing these families, standing up to Wade, building this case, it's exactly what we need.
But it's also made you a target. Wade's going to come after you harder now. Are you prepared for that?" Garrett looked at the smoking remains of his garage, at the families standing around him, at Sarge still comforting Evelyn. " Yeah," he said, "I'm prepared."
The call ended. Douglas appeared from the crowd. " The injunction came through 10 minutes ago. Judge granted a temporary restraining order halting any property seizure pending investigation of the underlying contracts. Evelyn's house is safe for now."
The relief was palpable. Evelyn collapsed forward, sobbing. Not sad crying, relief crying, the kind that comes when pressure you've been holding for months suddenly lifts. But Garrett knew this was just the beginning. Wade had escalated, burned a garage, sent a message.
Things would get worse before they got better. The question was, how much worse? The answer came that afternoon. Harvey Stillwell, didn't show up for the scheduled meeting at the church. Garrett called, no answer.
Called again, still nothing. Something felt wrong. Garrett drove to Harvey's house, a small place on the east side of town, neat lawn, American flag, the kind of home a man took pride in. Harvey's car was in the driveway. Lights were on inside, but when Garrett knocked, no one answered.
He tried the door, unlocked. Not unusual in Ridgmont. People trusted each other. " Harvey, it's Garrett." No response.
Garrett stepped inside, Sarge with him. The dog's body language shifted immediately, alert, tense, something wrong. They found Harvey in the kitchen, sitting at the table, very still, face pale, a gun on the table in front of him, not pointed at anything, just sitting there. " Harvey." The man looked up.
His eyes were dead, empty. " They came this morning," Harvey said. His voice was flat. " Wade's men, said if I don't withdraw from the group, if I don't stop cooperating with you, they'll go after my daughter. She lives in Phoenix, has two kids.
They showed me pictures, pictures of my grandchildren at school, playing in their yard. They know where my family lives. They know their routines." Garrett felt ice in his veins. " Harvey, I can't do it.
I can't risk them. I thought I was strong enough, thought I could stand up to Wade, but my grandkids" His voice broke. " I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but I can't. It's okay.
I understand. No, you don't. You don't have kids. Don't have grandkids. Don't have anyone they can threaten.
I do, and I can't let them get hurt because of me. Harvey picked up the gun. For a terrible moment, Garrett thought he was going to use it, but Harvey just held it, looking at it like he was considering options he shouldn't have to consider. Harvey, put the gun down. Why?
What's the point? If I keep fighting, Wade hurts my family. If I quit, I'm a coward who let him win. Either way, I lose. You don't lose.
You protect what matters most, your family. That's not cowardice. That's love. Then why do I feel like I'm betraying everyone? Garrett sat down across from him.
Slow movements, non-threatening. Because you're a good man. Good men feel guilt when they can't save everyone. But Harvey, you're not responsible for Wade's evil. You're only responsible for your choices.
And choosing to protect your grandchildren, that's the right choice. Harvey was shaking. What about Evelyn? What about the others? We'll keep fighting with or without you.
That's not on you. That's on us. But if I quit, others will quit. The group will fall apart. Maybe, or maybe they'll understand.
Maybe they'll respect a man who knows what matters most and isn't afraid to admit it. They sat in silence, the gun still on the table, Harvey still holding it. Finally, he set it down. Put his face in his hands, started crying. Deep, wrenching sobs, the kind that came from shame and relief and exhaustion, all mixed together.
Garrett waited, let him cry, didn't try to fix it. Just stayed present. When Harvey finally got quiet, Garrett said, Go to Phoenix. Stay with your daughter for a while. Get your grandkids somewhere safe.