
The Legacy of Larkfield Lot

Part 3: Tensions and Trails
The banker and Mrs. Carroway left the church, their conversation fading into the noise of the crowd outside. Julia followed, lingering on the church steps as she scanned the bustling yard. Agnes was speaking with a few members of the historical society, her body language tense. Father Benedict was deep in conversation with a parishioner, his “Save Larkfield Lot” button gleaming on his lapel. The banker had joined another group near the gate, and Amelia Carroway stood alone, looking troubled.
A flutter and sudden weight on her shoulder informed Julia her feathered companion had returned. Mr. Whistles, his beady eyes bright with mischief, had something clutched in his beak.
“And just where have you been?"
The starling looked away, avoiding her penetrating gaze.
"Cat's got your tongue?"
Mr. Whistles turned his gaze, made all the more severe due to his beady black eyes, on her. "That still isn't funny, you know."
"You didn't go after more of the Historical Society's pamphlets, did you?" she asked, eyeing the scrap of paper clutched in his beak.
Mr. Whistles let out a warbling chirp and dropped the paper into her hand. "I don't appreciate the implication. I'll have you know I was investigating the contents of Agnes' car--"
"Investigating, or decorating?"
Mr. Whistles cocked his little feathered head to 90-degrees. "Can't it be both?"
"You're incorrigible," she scolded, but there was no heat to it. The paper in her hand was thin, almost like vellum, with thin black lines on it.
“You can thank me whenever you're ready,” he preened.
Julia unfolded the scrap, her brow furrowing as she examined it. It was a torn corner of a land survey map, marked with the boundaries of the church and Larkfield Lot and an adjacent parcel. The name “Larkfield Lot” had been crossed out, and scrawled beneath it in bold letters were the words Heath Grove Estates.
"This looks like development plans for a new housing community."
"Does that mean you're ready to thank me?"
Julia’s pulse quickened when she looked at the name of the planned development: Heath Grove Estates. Agnes Heath. That couldn't be a coincidence. Julia knew Agnes and her late husband owned a number of residential and commercial properties around town.
But if that was the case, why was she so publicly against developing Larkfield Lot? It didn't make sense. Unless there was something Julia was missing.
But one thing was certain. If Agnes was aiming to develop Larkfield Lot, that meant Peter was a competitor. If what the banker said was true, Peter wasn't just a developer--he was a desperate developer. Which explained why he was the primary proponent of developing the empty lot beside the church.
Julia's gaze swept over the yard again, lingering on Agnes, the banker, Amelia Carroway, and the vicar. The town of Brambleton wasn't turning out to be the picturesque retirement Julia had hoped for. The town had secrets. The question is, which secret led to Peter Carroway's disappearance?