“Because Arthur was using that same land trust to take your ministry away this week,” Wade said.

“She wanted to be sure you had the truth before the board met.”

I smoothed the yellowed paper under my palm, feeling the raised ridges of the notary stamp under my fingertips.

Arthur had built his whole standing in this town on a lie he invented when I was twenty-two.

“He thinks he’s already won,” I said.

“He thinks you’re going to resign today,” Wade said.

“I’m not resigning,” I said.