Chapter 22
The Vote Before the Arrest
The town hall wanted housing more than it wanted a clean story.
Beatrice framed the vote as thirty families against one derelict greenhouse. June refused that arithmetic.
"The affordable flats can proceed," Ravi said publicly. "The luxury annex cannot. A replacement-land deed in the Hart archive preserves the meadow while releasing the old car park."
Beatrice asked to see it.
"Tomorrow," June said.
The crowd turned on her. A nurse demanded why evidence should delay keys. Mabel demanded why poor families were always used as moral cover for wealthy ones.
Ravi proposed a lawful amended vote contingent on verification. It passed by one.
Beatrice remained composed, but her left hand crushed the agenda.
Afterward June gave four people four different stories. Thomas heard the deed was inside the library clock. Owen heard it was beneath the pharmacy floor. Elsie heard it was in the greenhouse heater. Beatrice heard it remained in the archive box at Wren House.
Asha placed officers at every location.
At 1:17 a.m., the potting-room alarm sounded.