Page 22 of These Shoes Weren't Made for Stalking

“Quiet!” Holloway snapped.

“This is a private matter.” The mayor said. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you two to leave.”

“I don’t think so,” Dominic said, his voice low and dangerous. “We have some questions for you, Mayor. About the vandalism in the Historical District… and some interesting plans for property acquisitions.”

I whipped my head toward Dominic. Property acquisitions? A chill crept down my neck as the pieces clicked into place—the vandalism, Cretch’s involvement, Jake’s disappearance. My fingers curled into fists at my sides.

I watched as the color drained from Mayor Holloway’s face. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jake swallowed hard, his gaze flicking between us and the mayor. “The mayor and Mr. Cretch… I overheard them talking about buying out all the businesses in the Historical District.”

My blood ran cold. “Is that true?”

Holloway slumped into his chair, the fight seeming to go out of him. “It’s not what you think. This redevelopment plan, it would bring prosperity to Millcrest. New jobs, increased tourism?—“

“At the cost of our history and community,” I interrupted, anger rising in my chest.

Dominic placed a hand on my shoulder, a calming gesture. “Let’s hear the whole story. Jake, what happened after you overheard this conversation?”

Jake ran a shaky hand through his hair. “The mayor found out I knew. He... he had something on me. Threatened to expose it if I didn’t keep quiet.”

“Blackmail,” Dominic growled, his scent spiking with anger.

Jake nodded, not meeting our eyes. “I panicked. I knew I had to do something, so I... I stole some documents from his office. Proof of the whole scheme. That’s why I disappeared. I was scared, and I needed time to figure out what to do.”

“What kind of documents did you take?” I asked.

“The kind that proves the mayor’s working with the mob. Records of payments, contracts, emails—the whole deal. See, back in Boston I worked at this fancy Italian place, Bella Luna.” Jake’s voice cracked. “Turns out it wasn’t just a restaurant.”

“What do you mean?” My nostrils flared at the sour notes of fear in Jake’s scent.

“One night I stayed late prepping dough for the next day. Heard shouting, so I hid. Then—” Jake’s hands trembled. “My boss put two bullets in some guy’s chest. Right there in the kitchen.”

“Jesus Christ.” Dominic muttered under his breath.

“I ran. Ended up here thinking I could start fresh. But then Holloway spotted me at City Hall...” Jake’s shoulders hunched. “He knew exactly who I was. Said if I breathed a word about my ex-boss’ connection to the redevelopment plans, he’d tell him where to find me.”

“So you took the documents to protect yourself.” My fingers curled into fists.

“And everyone here. The contracts show how the mob’s laundering money through shell companies, using Cretch as cover for the whole operation. Once they own the district...” Jake’s eyes met mine. “Let’s just say their plans don’t include keeping the original buildings standing.”

Mayor Holloway leapt to his feet. “You little thief! Where is it?”

“Safe,” Jake said, a hint of defiance in his voice. “And if anything happens to me, it’ll all go straight to the press.”

I felt a surge of pride for Jake’s bravery, mixed with concern. No wonder he’d been making all those mistakes at the bakery. His life had been completely turned upside down.

“Vandalizing Wilson’s Bakery,” I said, turning back to Holloway. “That was part of your plan too, wasn’t it?”

The mayor’s silence was all the confirmation we needed.

Dominic stepped forward, using his imposing height to pin Holloway to his chair. “It was a two-fold plan, wasn’t it? Create problems that would bankrupt local shops and then pressure them to sell.”

“You never had any interest in revitalizing.” I said. My accusation drew the mayor’s nervous gaze toward me.

“You don’t understand,” he said. “The Historical District is charming, but it’s not sustainable. Revitalization will only go so far. Weneedthis redevelopment to prosper.”

“That’s not your decision to make,” I snapped. “These are people’s lives and livelihoods you’re playing with.”