Chapter 3: Betrayal in Broad Daylight

Just then, the office doors creaked open. Walter Rowe, head of security, came strolling out. My heart jumped—I rushed over:

"Walter, it’s me, Jackson Reed! Remember AP English—back in the day?"

He looked heavier, older, but his eyes hadn’t changed. For a split second, I thought I saw something—recognition, maybe even guilt—but it vanished just as fast.

Back then, Walter’s grades were nothing special, so seeing him in charge now was a surprise. I wondered if he’d changed—or if the old Walter was still in there somewhere.

I remembered the doodles in his notebooks, the jokes about never making it out of this town. Now he wore a crisp uniform and strutted like he owned the place. I hoped he still had a shred of decency left.

"Who’s making all this racket out here?"

Another guy stepped out. As soon as he showed, Walter, who’d been acting tough, dropped his eyes and hunched his shoulders.

The change in Walter was instant—shoulders slumped, eyes glued to the ground. The pecking order was crystal clear.

"This is our new county manager. Show some respect, you hillbillies!"

Walter’s voice cut through the crowd, making a few folks stiffen at the insult. The tension was thick—you could feel it, like a storm about to break.

Then I saw his face and did a double take—it was Franklin Goodwin!

I blinked, trying to wrap my head around it. Franklin? The same guy who used to bum my notes and crack wise in the back of class? Now he looked like he’d stepped out of a car commercial—slick hair, flashy watch, that smug grin glued to his face.

Back in school, he was all swagger and no clue. I’d tried to set him straight more than once. Never figured he’d end up running the county—thought maybe he’d grown up, but now I wasn’t so sure.

I searched his face for a flicker of the old Franklin. All I saw was calculation and arrogance. It hit me hard—how far he’d come, and just how far he’d fallen.

Seeing all these old classmates in charge, I finally let myself relax a little and nodded their way:

"Frank, Walter, Silver Hollow was torched like we were criminals—please, help us!"

I tried to steady my voice, tried to keep a sliver of hope alive. Maybe somewhere inside, they remembered what it was like to do the right thing.

"I know all about it."

Franklin spun his wedding band, showing off.

He leaned back, making a big show of his authority. The gold ring caught the sun, flashing—a reminder of the power he held, and how far apart we were now.

"If you know, then get those deputies punished before—"

Before I could even finish, Walter jumped in:

"Why punish them? What’d they do wrong?"

Walter’s voice was ice-cold, like he’d practiced this speech in the mirror. I felt a chill crawl up my spine.

"These people should’ve been run off ages ago. You just wanted to play the hero—otherwise they’d never have lasted this long!"

Each word hit like a slap. The crowd behind me shuffled, uneasy, like they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Franklin snorted:

"Jackson, you were always sticking your nose in, acting like you were better than us. Years later, you’re still the same fake!"

His voice oozed old grudges. I felt the crowd’s eyes on me, waiting to see what I’d do.

My heart iced over. Behind me, folks broke down, sobbing.

Their grief ripped through the air, raw and jagged, echoing off the burned-out buildings. I gritted my teeth, holding it together for their sake.

"When the deputies came to burn the town, they said they were following Manager Goodwin’s orders. Not only did they torch the homes, they killed dozens of our friends who tried to fight back…"

The memory hit me—flames clawing at rooftops, screams slicing through the night. I swallowed hard, anger and sorrow tangling in my chest.

So the ones who destroyed Silver Hollow and trashed my family were my own classmates…

It felt like someone had twisted a knife in my gut. I looked at Franklin and Walter, searching for any flicker of regret, but all I saw was smugness.

"Unbelievable…"

The word slipped out, heavy as lead. Disgust and disbelief tangled up in my throat. I shook my head, trying to make sense of it.

"Walter, Frank, if you two come to your senses now, I’ll let you walk and report you to the state attorney general!"

My glare went dark. I’d thought all those years studying together would make us decent men. Never dreamed they’d use their power like this…

My voice was low, rough. I hoped the threat would snap them out of it. But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t.

"Go ahead, report us if you want!"

Franklin laughed like he’d just heard the world’s best joke, waving me off:

"I’m tight with Senator McMillan, close with the governor’s son—who in Atlanta would dare touch me?"

His arrogance filled the room like a bad smell. I caught a few deputies grinning, sure they were untouchable.

The governor’s son… I remembered the kid who’d hugged me in Savannah last week, begging me not to leave. Never figured his people would be covering for each other like this. One day, I’d have to tell him to clean up his own mess.

His face flashed in my mind, earnest and trusting. I made a silent promise to hold him to account, even if it tore me up inside.

"I’m warning you, just give up—"

I was burning up with anger at their shamelessness, furious for all the women and kids who’d been hurt.

My fists trembled. I glanced at Lily, Maddie, and the faces of my neighbors. No way was I letting their pain slide.

"Give up? And what are you gonna do about it? You’re a nobody, and your wife’s nothing special either!"

Walter strutted over:

His voice boomed, meant to embarrass. A couple deputies snickered, egging him on.

"Jackson, back in school you always had to show off, pretending you were some genius. Now look—Frank, who you called small-minded, runs the county, and you? You don’t even have a title!"

I frowned and raised my voice:

"Why should there be a wall between county officials and regular folks? Didn’t we bust our butts in school for a better world?"

My words echoed, bouncing off the ruined walls. I caught a flicker of shame in a few faces, but it vanished quick.

"I didn’t get into office for any ‘better world!’"

Franklin sneered:

"Save your big talk!"

He leaned in, eyes cold. The crowd watched, tense and silent.

"Back in the day, the mayor’s daughter had a thing for you. Maybe if you crawl to Atlanta and beg her, she’ll help you out!"

The mayor’s daughter, the town’s prize beauty, had once confessed to me, making the whole school jealous. But my heart was with Lily, always. Just days ago, my dad had brought her up again.

I remembered how she’d get flustered when she saw me, how the other guys would nudge each other and whisper. But none of that mattered—not when Lily was waiting for me, steady as a rock.

"No need. Dad already told me he wants to set me up with her—said I should dump Lily and marry the mayor’s girl."

They wouldn’t listen, so I just laid it out.

"Ha!"

Franklin and Walter burst out laughing, nearly doubled over.

Their laughter was sharp and cruel, echoing through the square. I felt my face burn, but I stood tall.

"You say your dad wants to give you the mayor’s daughter? Then I’ll say he wants to make me a senator!"

Franklin laughed so hard he nearly choked.

"With your background, even if you were valedictorian, you’d never be good enough for her!"

Walter slapped his knee and turned to the crowd:

"Did you hear that? The guy you all look up to is just dreaming!"

A couple weeks ago, when Dad brought me back to Savannah, he’d pushed for marriage. He thought I needed the support of a powerful family. But Lily was my anchor—funny, fierce, and the smartest person I knew. There was no way I’d give her up for money or politics.

I remembered Dad’s long sigh, the way he looked at me like I was a riddle he’d never solve. But in the end, he let me go. I knew I’d made the right call—love always beat ambition.

In the end, Dad just sighed:

"Fine. If you insist on staying with Lily, stay with her. I’ve let you wander long enough—whatever you want now, I’ll allow it."

His words echoed, bittersweet, heavy as stone. He meant well, but he’d never get what Lily and I had.

Suddenly, a little hand tugged my sleeve. Maddie looked up at me, worry written all over her face.

Her eyes were huge, searching mine for answers. I knelt, brushing a tear from her cheek.

"Daddy, you don’t have to make up stories for us."

I pressed my lips together, mind spinning. I could take the hits alone, but dragging Lily and Maddie into this? Could I really do that? Or should I just…

The pressure was crushing. I wanted to protect them from everything, but I knew I couldn’t. My heart thudded with every impossible choice.