The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 141 Riot Liam “And Henry... | need you to place a tracker on the black Jaguar parked up front. | want to know where Thomas Martin lives, so | can go visit him when the need arises.” “Yes, Mayor.” After giving instructions to Henry, | walked out of the Sheriff's station to find a sizeable crowd gathered around. | noticed the people at the very front were part of the media.

If all goes well, I'll announce my invitation to my father’s wake at Cohen Mansion.

As | positioned myself behind the Martins and their lawyer, the Sheriff gave a brief statement, informing the public that Ford Martin was being released pending an investigation.

“Sheriff, is it true Lindsay Hartman killed Theodore Cohen?” A tall man asked after the Sheriff gave the public an update. He was a reporter under Greyson Hunter of The New Salem Star, one of New Salem's reputable news outlets.

“That's still under investigation. Right now, we only have what was written on her suicide note,” Sheriff Combs answered.

“So it’s true Nurse Administrator Lindsay Hartman committed suicide?” A woman asked. She was a journalist for the North Dakota Herald Press which had a small branch here in New Salem.

“Upon our initial findings, yes,” the Sheriff answered. “However, as | said, her death is still under investigation.” “Sheriff, is it true Ford Martin has had several complaints regarding sexual harassment? The tall man asked loudly. “Why haven't these women stepped forward? Have the Martins paid them off to keep quiet?” Hunter's field reporter was working his magic.

The crowd suddenly turned quiet and began to whisper among themselves. They were caught unaware of this small detail about Ford.

1/6 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 Mo CHAPTER 141 Riot buzzing sound like | was near a hive with a swarm of irate bees.

| wanted to smile; it was evident that my plan was working. But after noticing Lincoln Murphy's repeated glances, | fought the urge, donning my poker face instead.

| knew the good attorney was trying to catch my reaction, however, there was no way he could outwit me.

54% “Yes, it is true. Ford Martin has had several complaints regarding sexual misconduct, however the women withdrew their complaints without any interference from the Martins. As to why they never stepped forward, the women signed non-disclosure agreements aimed at keeping a peaceful work environment,” the Sheriff replied without batting an eyelash.

“Ford Martin,” the tall man called out even louder this time, “what do you do with the sex videos you record? Do you sell them or do you use them for blackmail? What about consent? Do these women willingly perform sexual favors or are they forced to do your bidding? If so, can’t that be considered as rape, Sheriff?” Numerous audible gasps cfrom the women in the crowd. The people appeared shocked by the revelation.

“Rapist!” A woman suddenly yelled. “Ford Martin is a rapist!” Angry howls erupted all around us...

Speople even raised their fists in the air in protest.

“We are still investigating the matter,” the Sheriff yelled, hoping to pacify the people. “Th all for now. | need all of you to head on hbecause tonight the good mayor of this tow is opening the mansion-" All of a sudden, a stone flew in the air, hitting Ford on his arm. That stone was followed immediately by another which luckily missed Ford's head by several inches. Jack, with his arm shielding his face, quickly opened the station’s front door and yelled for the other deputies to cout and help subdue the crowd.

In the midst of the ensuing riot, | was left standing in front of the station while the Martins fled.

“Liam, you need to get inside, son, before you get hurt, Sheriff Combs instructed. He roughly pushedinside the station and closed the door before addressing his men. “Deputies, arrest these people.” 2/6 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 CHAPTER 141 Riot 54% Through the station’s windows, | watched, amused. Everything that was happening was one big mess.

All the deputies had their batons out, chasing after the townsfolk. While the bigger deputies. had people faced down on the ground, the other much smaller deputies were in the middle of a cat and mouse chase, dodging stones and other items the people could get their hands.

on.

| noticed Ford entering his father’s brand new Jaguar. A stone flew right past him and hit the windshield instead. | let out a low whistle. That was going to cost a lot of money to get fixed.

“Your handiwork, | assume,” a familiar male voice said beside me. | was so engrossed in all the madness, | didn’t notice Lincoln Murphy standing right beside me. “Isn't it the job of the mayor to keep the peace?” “I don’t know what you're talking about, attorney,” | answered slyly. The corner of his lips.

curved into a wicked smile.

“I know you know I've made my money representing people who don’t have any other interests other than themselves,” he quipped, glancing sideways at me. It was an obvious insult, but | didn’t care. “I'm good at it, | always keep my mouth shut and I look the other way. That being said, is there something particular you're after? | heard you made a deal with Norma Martin... something about a pharmacy. Is there something | can do to help facilitate this deal? So no one else gets hurt.” “Again, | don’t know what you’re talking about, Lincoln,” | mumbled, instead of answering his questions. | wasn't sure if | could trust him. He was smooth, too smooth. Men like him always had sulterior motive.

| mean, how could he ctowhen he just represented someone who was against me? He chuckled as if | had told him a joke. “You can callLink, Mayor. | represented the Martins because they ctofor help. Actually, it was the Undersheriff who called me, askingto help them. | rarely say no, especially when | may be their last ticket out. As of the moment, I've gained Tomas Martin's favor. | did what he askedto do. | got his son. out. And favors are usually repaid, Mayor Cohen. It could be an option you're looking for... unless this,” he gestured outside, “is what you want. Elections are just around the e corner and your rival will use this against you. If you ever need my help, just givea call or better yet, paya visit. As you said earlier, it’s your duty to know New Salem's residents.” He glanced outside and picked up his briefcase.

“I'll be staying a bit. Someone might need my help. By the way, my heartfelt condolences, Mayor. | know how hard it is to lose someone you love.

3/6 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 Mu CHAPTER 141 Riot Good day.” 054%0 | watched him walk to the waiting area and sit down. Maybe he was going to take scases. pro bono.

But f uck! He was right. Sarah Hughes is going to love this. But | couldn’t have known the people would call Ford a rapist and start throwing rocks. That wasn’t my intention. Maybe call the Martin names and boycott the diner and the pharmacy, but to cause a riot? No.

Yet, it did work in my favor. The Martins were now scared and soon they will think of leaving.

| didn’t need Link’s help. | had a few tricks up my sleeve. All | needed to do was visit Thomas Martin in his sleep.

As | walked to the door, | bumped into the Sheriff who had a nasty ga sh on his forehead. One of the stones must have hit him in the head.

“Liam, in my office, now,” he said calmly, but his rage was apparent in his eyes. | followed him to his office sheepishly, knowing | was going to get a mouthful.

Once the door closed, he glared atand asked in a low voice, “What in G od’s ndid you do?” “I leaked the list of women to the press,” | answered. “I got the idea from the district attorney and that b itch, Sarah Hughes.” “The district attorney?! He isn’t the type-” He stopped, realizing what | meant. “Of course. You wanted to make people angry. Well, you got your wish. But you should have asked.

Hunter to wait until the Martins had left the station.” “Then, it would be too obvious | leaked the information,” | countered. “This way, it appears someone else did it. | want that pharmacy, Sheriff, and if | can’t get the Martins to cut a deal, then I'll have them chased out of New Salem with their tails between their legs.” The Sheriff sighed, knowing there wasn’t much he could do. The damage was done. He quietly walked to his desk and grabbed a mirror to check on his forehead. “Well, we now have an angry mob on our hands, thanks to you. The townsfolk are all riled up. | have a hunch they’ll be headed over to Highland Oaks next. I'll have sof my men secure the residents. in that neighborhood.” He took a wet tissue and began cleaning up his wound.

“When the homeowners association notices the angry mob camped out front, they'll ask Norma and Ford to leave. Those rich people hate scandals. Main reason why Pete left in such a hurry. Hé 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 MO CHAPTER 141 Riot didn’t want to deal with those righteous b astards.” 54% “He’s another problem | need to deal with. Ill pass by Lisa's office after I'm done at Town Hall. | need to secure my marriage license and make sure | have a contract ready for Thomas Martin to sign. I'll see you later at the mansion. | was about to make my exit when the Sheriff called out my name.

“I'll have Jack take care of security for you later tonight. I'm going to have this wound checked out, then head hto get srest. I'll see you at the OI’ Barn at midnight.” | nodded my head before walking out of his office. The station was packed with people from the riot earlier. | felt a tinge of guilt, but it was a means to an end.

As | walked out, | felt someone staring at me. | turned my head and sure enough, | found Link at Jack's desk, watchingleave. If | was a woman, he would've definitely creeped me. out.

Outside, | took a moment to breathe in the fresh air. That's when | saw the tall man behind the bushes, recording everything on his smartphone. It was Hunter's field reporter.

“Fred, right?” | asked as | walked up to him.

“Yes, Mayor,” he answered eagerly.

“I need you to release an announcement inviting everyone to Cohen Mansion for the wake of my father,” | said.

“I was going to announce it myself, but all hell broke lose.” “Sure, Mayor. I'll do it for you. Sorry about that. It wasn’t my intention to instigate,” Fred apologized.

“I know, Fred, but we have no control over other people's reactions,” | said, patting him on the shoulder. “Make sure you indicate that the mansion will be open from seven to ten-thirty tonight. That will give the townsfolk enough tto bid my father goodbye.” He nodded his head. “Thanks, Fred, and take care.” | gave him one last pat on the arm and headed to my car where Henry was waiting.

“Mayor, I've done what you instructed,” he said, opening the door and usheringinside. “There’s a tracker on the Jaguar.” “Good job, Henry,” | replied, entering the backseat of the car. “I need to go to town hall. There are sthings | need to prepare.” 5/6 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 CHAPTER 141 Riot | needed to prepare a deed of sale before | met with the Martins again.

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