Page 43 of Sharing Forever in Hope Creek (Hope Creek #2)

Callie looked around the main bar area at Hope Creek Hotel where all the community had gathered this Thursday night to answer her call for a meeting.

In addition to the normal scent of beer, eucalyptus and old leather, concern permeated the air.

The weight of Andrew Thompson’s murder and Jack’s charges had settled over the community like a heavy fog on an autumn morning.

Callie heard the note of uncertainty in the hum of anxious conversations.

Even the clinking of glassware and the occasional scrape of a chair against the well-worn wooden floorboards seemed more subdued tonight.

She sent up a silent prayer that tonight’s efforts would help clear Jack’s name.

‘I can’t think of a single person who hasn’t turned up,’ Blue said from beside her.

‘I’m pleased the community grapevine worked effectively and yet we’ve managed to keep any reporters from hearing about it.

’ Jim’s voice was satisfied. He’d told off a couple of reporters earlier today when they’d arrived home from Melbourne and found the media pack had been camped outside the homestead waiting for Callie to return.

And when a few had determined they wouldn’t move, Gary and Rick had arrived quickly to send them on their way.

Margaret patted her on the back. ‘The folk here are curious, of course, but you know these are all good-hearted people, Callie. They want to know what’s going on with Jack but, when they know all the details, they’ll be even more committed to doing whatever they can to help.’

‘Yep, they’ll help if they can,’ Blue promised. ‘None of us are the type to stand by and watch someone innocent fall.’

‘I know,’ Callie agreed. It was why she’d called the meeting. ‘I’m counting on the fact that everyone here has a sense of community and we all rely on each other.’

‘I can’t count the number of times in my lifetime that we’ve all gathered here at the pub to try to solve a problem,’ Jim said.

‘And before our time, our parents and their parents gathered here,’ Margaret added. ‘There’s never been a problem we couldn’t all pull together to solve.’

After she’d been to see Jack yesterday, Callie had discussed everything with Liz and Connor over dinner and had come up with the idea of calling a community meeting at the pub to fill people in and to ask for help.

Now she had everything crossed that her plan would work.

So many people had approached her to ask how she was holding up, and she’d seen more care than curiosity in their eyes.

‘Don’t look now,’ Margaret told them, ‘but here comes Brianna.’

‘She looks troubled,’ Jim observed.

Andrew Thompson’s secretary approached slowly, her uncertainty written in the watchfulness of her eyes.

‘Callie.’ Brianna acknowledged the others with a quick nod. ‘I wanted to say that I never meant to cause any trouble.’

They’d known each other since their school days, although Brianna was several years younger.

Callie knew that Brianna was a good person and although she wished Brianna hadn’t overheard the argument Jack had with Andrew Thompson, she knew it wasn’t Brianna’s fault.

‘Brianna, it’s true Jack had an argument with Andrew. You only told the truth.’

‘You didn’t cause any trouble,’ Blue said. ‘Trouble found itself at your door.’

‘I knew you and Jack were involved, but I only heard from someone tonight that you’re having a baby.’

Callie shook her head at the regret in Brianna’s voice. ‘You have nothing to apologise for, Brianna, and you needn’t worry because we will clear Jack’s name.’

Brianna threw her arms around Callie then Margaret embraced them both.

‘Thank you,’ Brianna sobbed. ‘I’ve been so worried that I did the wrong thing, and I was so shocked after Andrew was found … I talked to far too many people about Jack’s argument with Andrew. I was … in shock.’

‘Now, now, Brianna,’ Margaret said. ‘You’re probably still in shock but you mustn’t worry any more. What’s happened has happened and nobody— nobody —is blaming you. Okay?’

‘Thank you,’ Brianna replied tremulously, pulling away from them and moving to stand again with her parents as Mitch started tapping a spoon against a glass to get everyone’s attention.

‘Evening all,’ Mitch said. The chatter came to an end immediately and an expectant hush came over the gathering—with the exception of a baby who fussed a bit at the back of the room.

‘Thank you all for coming tonight.’ He cleared his throat.

‘Once again, we come together as a community because our community has been rocked.’

There was a low mutter around the room and several nods of agreement.

‘Andrew Thompson …’

‘God rest his soul!’ someone called.

Mitch nodded. ‘While Andrew never fully integrated into our community, he was, nevertheless, a part of our community—providing employment for many of you during vintage—and I know we’ve all been surprised to learn he was involved in illegal activity—’

‘And that he made all of us who did some casual work there a bit complicit in that activity!’ one of the younger community members called out.

Gary stepped forward to reassure them. ‘There’s nothing for any of you to worry about on that score.’

Mitch waited for the murmured responses to stop before he continued. ‘What we’re all reeling from is that there’s been a murder on our doorstep.’

‘Too right!’ Bill, the former hotel owner, called out. ‘I never thought I’d see the day.’

‘Unfortunately, crime doesn’t respect geographical boundaries,’ Gary said. ‘That’s why you’ve got Rick and I stationed here.’

‘Gary and Rick are here with us tonight more as fellow residents of Hope Creek rather than in an official capacity as our local constabulary,’ Mitch clarified.

‘This meeting was Callie’s idea but the detectives investigating the murder have been informed about it.

Jack Marshall, who is one of my closest friends, has also given the go-ahead for us to let you know everything we know so far.

As you’re aware, Jack has been charged with Andrew Thompson’s murder. ’

‘Wrongly charged,’ Morgan stressed loudly.

‘Before I go any further,’ Mitch continued, ‘I want you to know that Stella and I stand by Jack one hundred per cent—as do all the Richardson clan. There’s absolutely no doubt in our minds that he’s completely innocent and that he’s been framed for Andrew Thompson’s murder.’

The room was so quiet that the buzz from the cicadas outside seemed horrendously loud.

Callie wondered whether people had their doubts as to Jack’s innocence and she pressed her fingernails into her palms, only just refraining from ranting at them all that there was no way Jack would commit murder—but she understood because she’d had her doubts initially.

Stella moved forward to stand beside her husband and Callie wondered whether her sister was also concerned that people needed to be convinced.

‘Most of you would’ve met Jack at our wedding.

Mitch chose him to be one of his groomsmen for a reason—because they go way back together and Mitch knows, as I do, that he’s a very good man. ’

‘I think you’re all aware that Jack and Callie are expecting a baby together that they hope to raise here in Hope Creek,’ Morgan put in. ‘Callie’s one of us and Jack’s going to be a part of our community. They’re asking—actually we, the whole Richardson clan, are asking—for your help.’

Callie needn’t have worried people were being judgemental.

Chad Petersen, a lean stockman in an Akubra hat that never left his head, volunteered, ‘I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say we’ll help you in whatever way we can.’

There was a ripple of agreement around the room and Callie wanted to cheer as she saw that each person’s face was painted with determination.

‘What can we do, Mitch?’ the local vet asked earnestly.

‘First,’ Mitch responded, ‘let me tell you how this has all unfolded so far.’

Callie’s gaze flicked around the room, watching people’s faces as Mitch told them everything that’d happened—about the Ponzi scheme, about Jack facing Thompson and being overheard by Brianna, as well as his alibi, the evidence against him and the information they’d received about a man who was responsible for the murder and the reason why he wanted to frame Jack.

It was as well they’d decided Mitch would be the one to go into all this because Callie knew she’d never be able to relay all the facts without slipping up and naming Marcus Covington as their suspect—or breaking into tears.

It was almost a litmus test, watching the townsfolk as though they were the jury in a trial. Callie knew they had a fierce loyalty, that they would protect each other and that through his association with the Richardson family, they now considered Jack to be one of them.

They’d pledged their willingness to help but it was important to her that they would do so because they believed in Jack’s innocence, not only because they stood with the Richardson family.

They listened intently to Mitch and, Callie believed, they listened with open minds. She watched as they processed the details and her tension eased as she began to feel them railing against the injustice of Jack’s arrest.

Audrey Penhurst was an elderly lady with sharp eyes and an even sharper mind. ‘So who is the murderer?’

‘We can’t name the alleged killer but I can tell you he has a criminal record,’ Gary answered.

‘I can assure you though that the police in Melbourne are investigating his links to the deceased. What we would like you to do is think back over the past ten days or so and see if you recall anyone who looked out of place in the community.’

‘Or anyone who looked suspicious,’ Rick added.

‘Blimey!’ Sean, one of the ringers from the Lynch farm, scratched his head as he commented, ‘With Stella and Mitch’s wedding, there have been lots of out-of-towners around.’

‘Yes,’ Mitch agreed. ‘But most of you made it to our wedding and you would’ve met, or at least seen, our guests who weren’t locals.’