Will Richmond, local hero?

Rich kid, football star, honor roll... this guy's got everything going for him.  What's he hiding?

The Library and the Admin Offices took up the first floor of the Language Arts Building.  As Ami and Andy stepped inside, the cool air was a surprise.  It was probably 20 degrees cooler inside that is was outside.

A couple of women stood behind a long desk helping students and parents… or at least trying to help.  The small dark grandmotherly lady that Ami remembered from the plane was saying, “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to take it up with Mr. Peterson.  As it stands we can only sign up a student for one sport per season.”  The large man in front of her slammed his hand down on the counter.  Ami saw white sparks fly around his hand.

He glared down at the receptionist.  “Then where is he?”

“One moment.”  In perfect calm the woman picked up the phone and dialed an extension.  “Sir, Mr. Richmond needs to see you.  No, Sir.  Yes, Sir.  Right away.”

Ami fidgeted and waited in the background, not wanting the angry man’s attention.  Unfortunately, she didn’t go unnoticed.  The man’s son took a sidelong look at her and gave her a half smile.  It was the kind of smile that said “Hello, fresh meat.”  Ami practiced her dazzling smile again, and was surprised when his expression changed.  She couldn’t quite figure out what it meant before he followed his father to one of the back offices...

The fourth day, Ami drove the Gremlin all the way to the top of the hill they lived on.  There were two huge, well-lit homes at the top.  One could have been called a mansion.  It was a sprawling two-story Georgian style building with a covered porch with pillars and a porch swing.  The other was an A-frame that looked like a hunting lodge with the largest rack of moose antlers Ami had ever seen over the main double doors.  The black and chrome Skylark that Ami had noticed at the school was parked in front of the A-frame.  Leah’s map notation said “Rich Fools” over the whole top of the hill.  As if on cue, the front door for the mansion opened and out stepped Will.  He crossed his arms across his chest and smirked.

Ami cut the engine and climbed out of the car.  “Morning,” she called, waving as she walked up to the house.

 “That it is.  How do you like Aurora Bay?”

Ami grinned.  “I’d like it a bit less sunny.”

Will nodded.  “Then I’m sure you’ll love the winter… but take a look at this view.”  He gestured toward the bay and the town, and the view from the Richmond’s front deck was indeed amazing.  He pointed out the docks, the single shipyard, and the old end of town with the cemetery.  They chatted for a half hour before Ami got restless and said goodbye.