The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 53 Two-faced Pete Joy Having lunch withwas Liam’s chance to paradearound town. | saw the town’s folk whisper behind our backs as we walked to Harold's.

Despite the whispers, Liam seemed to be in a good mood. We ate while talking about the grand opening of my store, the upcoming Spring Parade and the election. Not once did he mention Abigail...much to my dismay.

“Have you gone to visit Abigail since Saturday night?” | asked him casually.

“Unfortunately, no. Yesterday, my father arrived from our cabin in the woods near New Salem Park. Sunday has always been reserved for family,” he answered after finishing his juice. “Have you?” “Yes, | did... yesterday. Abigail is in a coma and the doctors can’t say when she’ll regain consciousness,” | said.

“Do you know what happened to her?” “Jack said she must have fallen asleep while driving,” Liam replied, acting as if Abigail was irrelevant. That didn’t surprise me. Liam never cared for anyone, but himself. “So what will you be doing after lunch?” He asked, changing the topic.

“I'll be headed to my boutique to check on its progress, then I'll be meeting Cris at New Salem High,” | answered.

He nodded his head..

“I'm actually waiting for the student body president to cseeabout the Spring Formal sponsorship,” Liam muttered. “I guess they have the budget and don’t need my help. Last year, the student body president cto seeat the beginning of the year. This year...

nothing.” There was a tinge of sadness and regret in his voice when he spoke of Joan Summers which puzzled me. If he orchestrated the whole thing t should be a coc kiness in his voice..

However, | wasn’t imagining things... the sadness was also evident in his eyes.

| placed a hand on top of his to console him. He took advantage of the situation and quickly took my hand in his.

The momentary empathy | shared with him dissolved as fast as it came.

When it’s Liam, why bother? “About that, I'll be sponsoring this year’s Spring Formal. It’s the least | could do knowing 1/5 Tue: Mar 26- CHAPTER 53 Two-faced Pete most of the students will be buying their essentials for the prom from me,” | said. He raised my hand to his mouth and gave it a kiss. | had to fight the urge to pull my hand away.

“Beautiful, kind and generous... what can any man ask for? Liam murmured. He glanced at his watch and frowned, then waved at the waiter for the bill. “Tseems to fly when you're enjoying yourself. | need to get back to the office. How about if | call you later? Maybe we can have dinner together?” “Sure, Liam. I'll be at the pub helping Chip organize the pageant. If you're too busy for dinner, you can drop by for a drink.” He smiled and caressed my cheek. “Now that sounds like a plan. At least | get to see you before | head home.” After he paid for lunch, we walked back to town hall. | waved goodbye and quickly entered my car. Since Cristos had to put up posters and hand out flyers, there was one place | knew he'd go to...Bo’s.

z storefront And | was right. | found Cristos and Xavier inside, taping up posters on the big windows announcing the three day application for Miss Honey Bee as well as a flock of young women outside, hovering in front of them. But the ladies weren't there for Miss Honey, Bee, they were watching the two handsmen through the store’s windows.

| waved at the two men behind the group of eager girls. Xavier waved back and smiled, showing off his perfect teeth. Sof the girls squealed with delight while the rest giggled.

“Virtue, are you planning to join the contest?” A male voice said. | turned around and found Pete and Noah walking towards me.

“Oh, hey guys! I'm actually helping Chip organize the whole thing. Have you guys had lunch?” | asked.

“We grabbed a couple of cheeseburgers from the diner, Pete answered, yawning.

“Late night, Pete?” | asked curiously. Why was Pete McDowell up late on a Sunday night? “Aaah, yeah. | h-had a d-design to do for a house at Hillcrest,” he stuttered. He was lying. | wanted to interrogate him further, but | nodded my head instead.

“I see. A lot more people must be moving in. Good for business,” | said, smiling. | saw him relax a little while Noah chuckled in amusement.

2/5 CHAPTER 53 Two-faced Pete “Well, Pete here is giving Nicole a run for her money, Noah said, patting Pete on the shoulder.

“I'm going to go and get a cup of coffee at Bo’s, Pete suddenly said, turning red. | saw the angry glint in his eyes while he glanced at Noah, Why would he be angry at Noah? For laughing? “D-do you want to grab a coffee with me, Virtue? And maybe a pastry? | heard Bo’s has a new bakery.” The croissant | had yesterday at Dom’s was from Bo’s and it was good.

“Sure, Pete. Let's see what they have. But I'm buying okay?” | turned my attention to Noah. “Hey, Noah, why don’t we grab a box of pastries for your crew?” | paused, remembering Mrs. Jensen. “And I'll get a box for your mom. How is Mrs. Jensen today anyway?” Noah raised his brows at the unexpected question. Doesn't anyone else ask about her? “Today is a good day for her,” he answered. He put his hand on Pete's shoulder. “Pete, why don’t you grab that box for the crew? | need to go back inside and supervise. | don’t want our men screwing up the tiles in the bathroom. And Virtue, anything would be nice for my Thank you.” “Alrighty then,” | said, grabbing Pete’s arm. “Con, Pete. | missed my cup of joe this morning.” mom.

After paying for our orders, Pete and | sat at a small table in front of Bo’s Cafe and Bakery. Pete recommended | try an eclair and so | did..

“So, Pete, have you lived in New Salem all your life? Like Noah and the rest of people here?” 1 asked.

“Uhm, no. Originally from Austin, Texas. | moved here during high school,” he answered, “after my dad died.” “I'm sorry to hear that,” | said. “It must have been very traumatic for you, dealing with loss. so very young.” He nodded his head while looking at a distance.

“H-he died of a h-heart attack while we were celebrating my quince... uhm, my right to passage for turning fifteen,” he quickly explained, lowering his eyes. There's that stutter again. He was lying.

“You're hispanic,” | said, nodding my head appreciatively. “Nice. But McDowell is a British surname... right?” “Scottish,” he replied. “My mom, she reverted back to her maiden nwhen my father died.

good idea if my nwas changed too.” She thought it was a 3/5 CHAPTER 53 Two-faced Pete “I see, | said, nodding my head. | stared at his dark brown eyes and saw his heartache. | rubbed his arm to comfort him, hoping | could make him feel better.

My mind wandered, going back to those days in high school when | noticed him in the hallway. | remembered him talking to a girl with jet black hair and green eyes, a classmate of mine, named Sarah Hughes. The sSarah Hughes who was running against Liam for mayor.

| sighed, remembering the racist comments and slurs thrown his way against his ethnicity. He had dark wavy hair back then and a real bad case of acne. He was also thin, with his Adam’s apple protruding awkwardly from his neck.

“What about you, Virtue? | mean, are your parents still alive?” Pete asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“Very much. They live in Oregon near the border of Nevada. After graduating college, | got a job in Reno to be closer to them. Well, close enough to maintain my independence.” North Dakota is far from Oregon. Will they be moving here to live with you?” Pete asked..

“Maybe. | do have the space,” | said. “I just want to settle in first.” My phone suddenly chimed. It was Cris tellingto meet him at New Salem High at three. | sighed. | still needed a replacement bug for the one | stuck on Liam’s desk and to drop by the Sheriff's station.

“Boyfriend?” Pete joked. There was an arrogance in his voice that | picked up... like | was a s kank. | eyed him warily.

“Cris Murdock actually”, | answered coldly. “I need to meet him at New Salem High. I'm sponsoring the Spring Formal and | need to write the school a check. But before | meet him, | have to talk to Bo about the booze | need for the grand opening of my boutique and house warming.

“Well, | need to go next door and get back to work,” Pete said bitterly, noticing my mood had changed. “Thanks for the coffee and the eclairs.” “Can you give this box of croissants to Noah, please? For his mom. Thanks Pete,” | said, handing him the box. “I'll stop by before | head to the school.” He nodded his head and left.

“He doesn’t look too happy,” Cristos muttered, sitting down in Pete’s empty chair while grabbing my cup of coffee and sipping it. He took my half eaten eclair, ate it all and drank.

4/5 CHAPTER 53 Two faced Pete the rest of my coffee.

“How about a buy you a slice of gourmet pizza?” said, changing the subject. It wasn’t the tnor the place to talk about Two-faced Pete.

“No need,” Xavier said, handing Cristos anda slice of tomato and basil on white cheese pizza before sitting with us with his own slice. He slipped a napkin in my hand with something hard in it. | smiled. It was another black case. | quickly placed it in my purse.

Cristos took a bite and moaned blissfully. | noticed Xavier was dressed in dark slacks and a light blue dress shirt.

“Meeting?” “Yep, in thirty minutes,” he said before taking a bite of his pizza. “Cris’ house is near, so it's no problem. By the way, your booze is en route and | owe you a drink at the pub. I'll see your tonight.” He winked.

, | did the impossible. | just hope we get information from Liam.

I also needed to know more about Pete.

Why lie about his father’s death? Chapter Comments Luna-Mom | love the dynamics of Joy and her boys Emy Duvey So Pete is the Boss??7? VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS > POST COMMENT T 26