Page 94 of Something’s Brewing

There were murmurs from the crowd, urging the mayor to let Madison speak.

She continued. “I also obtained bank records showing campaign donations routed through a consulting firm tied to North Ridge Compliance. The funds were transferred within forty-eight hours of inspection approvals.”

Gasps broke out.

“And finally,” she said, her tone calm as glass, “I have a sworn affidavit from the mayor’s former executive assistant confirming she was instructed to flag certain businesses as ‘priority failures’ if they did not pay, a.k.a. contribute.”

The mayor slammed his hand on the table. “This is defamation! You have no authority to present⁠—”

Nick stepped forward, and the entire chamber seemed to stop breathing.

Madison finished her final sentence anyway. “Public office is a position of trust. When that trust is abused, accountability isn’t optional. It’s necessary.”

Nick’s voice carried, clean and firm. “Mortimer Benson, you are under arrest for fraud, bribery, and abuse of office.” The click of handcuffs echoed in the stunned silence.

The mayor looked at Sawyer and yelled, “Do something! I’m your uncle. I gave you a place to stay. You were hired because of my influence.”

“I’d advise you to stop talking,” Nick said.

For one suspended moment, no one moved. Then the room exploded. Voices rose, some cheered.

Madison’s legs went weak, but Garrett was already there, his arm sliding around her shoulders, pulling her into him. “You just changed this town,” he murmured.

Nick led the mayor toward the exit. Madison watched the anger drain from his face, replaced by something smaller. Only then did her adrenaline begin to fade.

Her heart raced. She’d done it, sought justice and won. She let herself lean into Garrett, the man she’d fallen in love with over the last couple months.

When they walked out of City Hall, people lined the sidewalk. Some clapped, some wiped their eyes, and others simply nodded at her. Then Madison saw the signs: “Vote Madison Mitchell for Mayor.” Her breath caught. They believed she was one of them.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The next morning dawned cool and clear over Deer Creek Falls. Sunlight shimmered across the lake behind their condos, the water calm after the storm of the night before. Madison sat on the patio, wrapped in a blanket and one of Garrett’s sweatshirts, a steaming mug of coffee warming her hands. The oversized sleeves covered most of her fingers. Somewhere down the shoreline, a loon called.

For the first time in weeks, her mind felt quiet.

The town had exploded after the council meeting. Her phone had buzzed nonstop—messages from business owners, residents, reporters from Duluth and surrounding towns who were already asking for statements. Someone had started a “Madison for Mayor” page online before sunrise.

It still didn’t feel real.

Behind her, the screen door slid open softly.

Garrett stepped out carrying the coffee carafe, a gray Henley stretched across his broad shoulders, jeans riding low on his hips, his hair still damp from a shower. He looked more rested than he had in days. Far better than the man who’d shown up in Minneapolis looking like he hadn’t slept since their argument.

“Thought you might need a refill,” he said.

“Thanks.”

He sat next to her. “The town’s losing its mind online this morning.”

Madison groaned softly. “Please tell me nobody actually made campaign buttons.”

He took a slow sip of coffee. “Too late.”

“You’re kidding,” she said, her eyes widening.

“Cole ordered twenty.”

She stared at him. “Twenty?”