Papa sputtered, then jerked up his chin. “If not legal, then moral.” He eyed me. “You must have plenty of money, Thibault, to be giving away multi-million-dollar properties. I’ve had some bad investments and I have two children to support. You could sell the venue and divide the proceeds. Three million dollars to the rescue, three to me and your brother and sister. You’ve no idea how hard it is to be short of funds.”
The gall of that choked me so I couldn’t speak.
Beside me, Shane stood up. “If you’re really that broke, I can give you advice on how to fix a shoe with duct tape. How to heat water over a candle for instant coffee when the power’s been shut off.” He looked my father up and down, from his fancy haircut to his leather shoes. “Except you’re not really broke, are you? Not like…” He hesitated, and I had a moment of terror that he was going to tell my father about me running away with nothing, or even worse, expose himself. But instead, he said, “Not like the people who can’t afford to feed their beloved pets and have to rehome them. Not like the abused woman running from her husband with the clothes on her back and her cat. Your parents raised you to be a parasite, and you really hate that Theo’s a thousand times the man you are.”
Van Doren thumped his cane on the dais. “This is out of hand.”
“I agree.” The mayor gave me a sympathetic look, then turned to Wynn. “Mr. Cavannah, is there any doubt about the legal status of this property?”
“None, Your Honor. The elder Mr. Lafontaine filed several challenges and appeals, but the last one was dismissed with prejudice, meaning he cannot refile. Probate is closed. Mr. Theo Lafontaine can do whatever he pleases with his property.” Wynn smiled at me. “Even give it all away, no matter what his accountant would say about that.”
The mayor nodded. “Thank you. In that case, Joffrey, I’m not clear what your witness has to bring to this discussion, beyond personal grievances?”
“He assured me the property status was in doubt.” Van Doren now looked like he was sucking on two lemons, but I was too shaken to feel much satisfaction.
“Well, clearly, it isn’t.” Mayor Jacks turned cold eyes on my father. “You may sit down or leave the room.”
Papa whirled on his heel and strode out. The well-hung door slowly clicked shut behind him instead of slamming.
I sat with a thump on my chair, wrung out like I’d gone ten rounds in a boxing ring. Shane grabbed my hand again, and I hung on as I tried to focus on the council’s discussion.
Mayor Jacks said, “As I see it, we have a couple of simple options. We can vote on a motion of support for the conversion of the venue on Sandhill Drive, with a pledge to approve the special-use permit when it comes before us. Or we can vote to table the topic and do all this again later.”
Van Doren growled, “I prefer to table. There are other residents like Mrs. Fotheringham who deserve to be heard.”
The gray-haired councilwoman shook her head. “I think we have a pretty clear picture of the pros and cons and the costs involved. I move that we express support for the animal rescue in that location, but any additional construction outside the current building would have to obtain a separate permit.”
“Seconded,” Quentin said.
Van Doren huffed.
Mayor Jacks turned toward the camera. “All right. Let’s get this wording straight. It is moved that we, the Town Council of Gaynor Beach, support the conversion of the disused wine-tasting building at 753 Sandhill Drive into an animal rescue shelter, using the plans presented here today, and that we will approve the special-use permit for said conversion when it is presented to us by—” She glanced down at her notes. “—the Safe Haven Animal Rescue nonprofit. Any exterior construction not represented by the plans we have seen will require a separate permit. All in favor, say ‘Aye.’”
The mayor, Quentin, the gray-haired woman, and a silent man at the end of the row said, “Aye.”
“Against, say ‘Nay.’”
“We shouldn’t rush into this,” a younger woman on the other side of Quentin muttered.
“Marcy, we’re voting,” the mayor said. “All against, say ‘Nay.’”
The young woman, Van Doren, and the older guy voted no.
Mayor Jacks nodded. “The Ayes have it. Motion passed.” She looked at me. “And Mr. Thibault, in case you were in doubt, the city of Gaynor Beach is extremely grateful for your generosity. We love our pets here, and saving animals in need is a cause dear to our hearts. Giving millions of dollars to make this town a better place is unbelievably generous, and I’m sorry if we caused you any personal discomfort in the process.” She threw a withering glare at Van Doren, sitting stony-faced.
I fumbled betweenthank youandyou’re welcome, and in the end, just nodded.
The council closed out their meeting with procedural stuff I didn’t hear past the roaring in my ears. The only clear sensation was the warm clasp of Shane’s fingers on mine. Vaguely, I noticed the scraping of chairs as the council members stood, the change in light levels as the screen went dark and the audience lights brightened.
Shane squeezed my hand and let go. “Hey, we won.”
“Ah. Right.” I tried to focus as Arthur came over to us.
“I’d hug you if you weren’t sitting down,” he said. “You were awesome.” He presented a smiling, gray-haired woman wearing cat-print sweats and glittery sneakers. “This is Pam, and she wants to thank you, too.”
“Even if you are losing me my best foster home.” Pam held out her hand. “Mr. Lafontaine, thank you. So very much. From all of my people.”
I made it to my feet and shook her hand. “I’m glad it worked out.”
