Chapter Forty-Four – The mayor and Mr. Noye

“How can you just look through the fingers at this?” Mr. Noye storm through the doors to the mayor office, his face red with anger. His secretary came running up behind him, a shocked expression on her face.

“I’m so sorry” She started to apologize, but Anthony just shook his head. It was okay, he had expected the older man to show up anyways.

“I’m not going to follow up on something that isn’t a threat. If you’re worried, lock your doors and stay at home. If anything happens, call the police. It’s their job to handle these kind of things” Anthony answered the older man very calmly.

“They can’t do anything to stop those mutts!” Henry Noye yelled, his whole body shaking in anger. This was not how it was supposed to happen. Anthony, as the mayor, was supposed to take his concerns as a citizen to heart and do something about it.

“Are you feeling well Henry? I know your wife’s death hit you hard, and the anniversary is just months away. Are you sure you’re thinking clearly?”

“You don’t bring my wife into this. Ariel told me everything, about what you asked of her, what you told her. They have been here all these years, and we didn’t know. You let monsters live in our town without our knowledge. And you question my sanity?”

“To my knowledge, everyone believe they were tormented by a pack of rabid wolves back then, not some supernatural creatures that can shift between human and wolf at any given time. And nothing has happened in almost ten years, except for that one stray who turned out to be from an entirely different country. You’re getting worked up over something that isn’t a threat to you. Why?”

Anthony placed his elbows on the desk in front him, leaning forward and folding his hands in front of his chin.

“You don’t know what kind of horror they are capable of doing” Henry warned the younger man, closing the distance between himself and the desk to lean forward, his face mere centimeters from Anthony’s.

“To be clear, I know what they can do. I also know that they have not done it. So, in my book, they are innocent. And you’re only causing trouble by stirring up old memories and trying to spread fear” Anthony remained calm as his light blue eyes pierced the older man’s darker.

“You’re making a mistake! Mark my word” Henry stood back up, his face an even darker shade of red now.

“Do you know where your daughter is?” Anthony suddenly asked, changing the subject and taking the older one by surprise.

“Yes. Why?” Henry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want with her?”

“Me? Nothing. But a little bird told me she tried to murder a man yesterday, lucky fellow barely escaped with his life. Considering I know how skilled she is, I’m worried. Can’t have a murderer walking around the streets now, can we?” Anthony surprised a smile as he saw the shocked face on Henry Noye.

“If you touch my daughter” Henry leaned forward again, his tone warning and his face turned into an angry snare.

“I’m a politician, not the police. But I believe they’d like a word with her. Also, she should see a doctor. As her employer it is my duty to inform you, as her emergency contact, that she had a mental breakdown yesterday. Claimed she had seen a dead girl, had coffee with her even. I of course went to check, and no one could remember seeing her or her friend all week” Even with an enraged man towering over him Anthony kept his voice calm, like this was just any other chat about the weather.

“My daughter is not mentally ill” Henry spat.

“I strongly recommend that she see a doctor still. Between the mental breakdown and her attacking an innocent man in the dead of night, almost killing him, I fear for the safety of the people in town. And I fear for her safety as well. She’s a bright young girl with her entire future ahead of her, I’d hate for her to lose her way”

Henry wanted to punch the mayor in his face, his knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on the desk.

“I suggest you worry about your own family before worrying about mine” Henry said through gritted teeth.

“My family has sadly all passed away. I’m just looking out for an employee that I’m rather fond of” Anthony leaned back in his chair, creating a much-needed distance between himself and Henry Noye.

“My daughter no longer works for you” Henry answered bluntly.

“I haven’t received a notice. But as soon as I do, I’ll respect her decision” Anthony answered him politely. “Now, are we done here? I have dinner plans”

Henry loosened the grip on the desk, taking a step back. He wasn’t getting anywhere with this fool of a politician anytime soon. He was alone in this mission, for now. Good thing he knew always to create a backup plan and have someone on stand-by in case of an emergency.

“Yes”

“Good. I’d hate having to call security” Anthony rose from his chair and gestured for the door. Henry Noye sent him a glare before leaving the room. He was a man of integrity and image, and it would look bad if he had to be kicked out of the town hall kicking and screaming.

“This isn’t the end” Henry warned one last time before leaving the office.

“Emilia, are we sure he left?” He called to his secretary, who soon after appeared in the doorway, a relieved expression on her face.

“Yes mayor. The cameras just confirmed, he left the building”

“Thank you” Anthony gave her a smile, which she returned before closing the doors and leaving him to the privacy of his own office. It was closing in on 5 pm, and he had plans at 6. If he didn’t get going, he would be late.

“Emilia, one more thing” She was still sitting at her desk when he got out of the office, getting ready to leave herself.

“Yes?”

“The next time Mr. Noye shows up, just call the police on him”

Emilia nodded and they exchanged goodbyes before both walked out of the building together.

“Anthony, can I ask you something?” Emilia said suddenly as they reached for the doors.

“Anything”

“Do you honestly believe Ariel has lost her mind?”

She couldn’t help but worry. Though Emilia only worked there part-time she’d seen the redheaded on occasions. She’d always been so nice, kind – the complete opposite of her father, who were always barging in and shouting orders like he was a captain in charge of the ship.

“I don’t know. All I know if she messed up and got herself into some trouble that me nor her father can pull her out of” Anthony answered truthfully.

“I see” Emilia nodded thoughtful.

“What are you thinking about?” Anthony asked her, placing a hand on her wrist to keep her from walking away from him. “I can see it on your face, there is something else bothering you as well”

“I saw her. At the coffee shop a few days ago. She sat there for hours talking with another woman her age, maybe a little older. It seemed like they had known each other for a long time” Emilia bit her lip, her eyes avoiding his.

“Do you know who the woman was?”

“I thought I recognized her. But then I thought, no it can’t be, because that person is dead so she can’t be sitting her having coffee and talking about life. But then again – I didn’t think werewolves exists until today. And that makes me wonder, if they exist, then what else? And if a werewolf can heal from being shot in the chest several times, maybe she could to, and everyone just covered it up?”

Emilia looked back up again, her eyes meeting Anthony’s. His eyes were full of understanding and compassion, while hers were brimming with tears of worry. The peaceful little town she had lived in all her life wasn’t as peaceful as she’d thought. It scared her. Terrified her even.

“Did you know the Bell girl before she died?” Anthony asked. Emilia nodded slowly.

“Are you sure that was the same woman you saw the other day?”

“She looked older. But the hair, she still had the same wavy, blonde hair. It was lighter, more cream colored. And those blue eyes, I will never forget them. I was just a year younger than her, and we went to the same school. I remember when it happened with had a gathering at school, a memorial. Everyone gathered there, some were crying, others just sitting silent and holding each other. They had a big photo displayed; it had been taken just days before the incident. And she was so happy. She had a big smile on her face, and you could see how her eyes sparkled. There was so much joy and happiness in that expression. And I remember thinking that with her gone, the town would never be as happy or bright ever again. And I was right”
Emilia sniffled, blinking the tears out of her eyes. Anthony stood stunned back, his mouth dry. He didn’t know what to say. He’d arrived a few months later, quickly getting into the politics and risen to become a favored candidate as mayor. He was young, had new ideas and ways of bringing peace and happiness back into a community that had suffered such a loss. And he hadn’t taken a moment of time to think about how much that one week had affected people, both then and now, almost ten years later.

“I’m sorry for your loss” Anthony finally said, pulling Emilia into a hug.

“Thank you” Emilie answered, shyly hugging him back for a second before stepping out of his embrace, whipping her tears away.

“But I’m sure it was her. She was there. And I may have listened in on bits of their conversation. She’s spent most of the last decade traveling, and whenever she’s in town she doesn’t stay with family”

“Where then?” Anthony couldn’t help himself.

“Andvari property. And since he’s a werewolf, who’s to say she isn’t one as well?” Emilia answered.

Anthony stood stunned back.

“You’re sure about that?”

Emilia nodded.

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll let you go home now. Stay safe. And if you’re every worried, just call me. Or Jasper down at the police station” Anthony gave Emilie a short nod before opening the door for her, staying behind to collect his thoughts.

She was alive. Ariel wasn’t speaking rubbish. He hadn’t had time to check for himself, it had all been a white lie to protect others from the madness of the Noye family.

Before he knew what he was doing he had pulled out his phone and dialed a number he hadn’t used in a while. It was imprinted in his head.

**“Hello”** A female voice answered.

**“Mother – I found her”**