Matt remained quiet in his seat while his father spoke but kept his eyes fixed on the back of Ed Franklin’s head. That head remained immobile. Ed Franklin did not react in any way to Rey’s accusations.
When Rey finished speaking, Roger thanked him for expressing himself so clearly and bringing the matter to the attention of the board. Then he asked Ed Franklin if he wished to respond.
“You bet I do,” said Ed, remaining sprawled in his seat. His tone was conversational, as if he was merely repeating widely accepted truths. “Everybody knows Mexico has only two exports—illegal drugs and people—and both are trouble. We’ve all read in the newspapers about the gang wars on the border and the terrible killings. These folks have no respect for life. They kill anybody who gets in their way, including police officers. I have friends in Arizona, people who’ve been successful in business and were looking to enjoy a peaceful retirement, and they say they have to have dogs and fences and guns to feel safe from the illegals.
“Now maybe Mr. Rodriguez here is a law-abiding fellow. I’ve got nothing against him personally, and my wife says his cookbooks are great, fabulous, but when one Mexican moves in you get a lot more. They’re like mice. You catch one mouse and think you’ve solved the problem, but believe me, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I think we’ve got a responsibility to keep Tinker’s Cove a safe, pleasant place to live and that means keeping out undesirable elements. Mexicans should stay in Mexico. America is for Americans.”
While Ed was speaking Lucy watched the expressions on the board members faces, trying to discern their reactions. At first, they seemed eager to display openness and a fair-minded willingness to hear his response to Rey’s allegations, but as Ed continued, their expressions hardened and they began to fidget in their seats, growing more and more uncomfortable. By the time he finished speaking, Franny Small was biting her lip, Sam Bellamy’s face was red and he seemed about to explode. Joe Marzetti was clenching his teeth and Winchester College professor Fred Rumford was shaking his head in dismay. Roger Wilcox was momentarily speechless, his head lowered as he stared at the papers on the table before him.
“Mr. Franklin,” he finally said, “you have not answered Mr. Rodriguez’s complaint that you personally interfered in a meeting with the health agent, overstepping your position as chairman of the board of health. What do you have to say?”
“Oh, no question, I was at the meeting. And I pointed out that there would most likely be problems complying with current septic regulations considering the location of the Olde Irish Inn.”
Hearing this, Matt jumped to his feet. “He said we wouldn’t be able to have a dishwasher, that we’d have to use paper plates like a fast-food place! That was a clear threat! Cali Kitchen will be a fine restaurant! Paper plates would be—”
“You’re out of order,” said Roger with a placatory smile. “Please let me continue questioning Mr. Franklin. If you feel you need to add something, you may speak later.” He turned to Ed, raising a small booklet with a blue cover. “I wonder, Mr. Franklin, if you are familiar with this document. It is a concise summary of responsibilities and legal obligations that is given to every town official. I assume you were given one of these booklets?”
“Probably. I can’t say it looks familiar,” said Ed with a shrug. “A lot of paper comes across my desk. I don’t get to read it all.”
“I suggest you take this copy home with you tonight and read it very carefully,” said Roger. “I believe you will find it helpful if you are going to continue as a member of the board of health in future.”
“You’re going to let him stay on the board?” demanded Matt, who was on his feet, hands clenched.
“For the present,” said Roger. “But I will say this to Mr. Franklin. As much as we appreciate your service to the town, we expect you to follow all the policies the town has adopted, including the very specific requirement that every petitioner be treated respectfully, fairly, and equally. If you find yourself unable to comply with the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens by the US Constitution we will ask you to remove yourself from the board. Do you understand?”
“I have no problem with that,” said Ed with a shrug. “I was misunderstood. That’s all it was.”
“We did not misunderstand you,” declared Matt.
“Well, that’s the thing with misunderstandings, right?” said Ed with an ingratiating smile. “I think one thing, you think another. But I guess it’s all straightened out, right?”
“It better be,” growled Matt as Roger banged down his gavel. Then turning on his heel, Matt marched out of the meeting room.
There was a rather stunned silence, then the newest member of the board, Franny Small, who rarely spoke, raised her hand.
“Ms. Small,” said Roger, recognizing her.
“I have something to say.” She spoke in a firm voice and unfolded some papers she’d taken from her purse. “It’s a quote. I just happen to have it here. It was in the bulletin from last Sunday’s service at the Community Church. I’d like to enter it into the minutes, if I may. It goes like this. ‘First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.’ ” She paused. “It’s from a man named Martin Niemöller. He was protesting the Nazis.”
“I’d like to move that the quote Ms. Small just read be entered into the minutes,” said Fred Rumford.
Sam Bellamy was quick to second the motion, which passed unanimously.
“Thank you all,” said
