The Kathryn Nolan Case
The Kathryn Nolan Case
After the lovely Mayor of Storybrooke left the Diner, Harry was left pondering on what to do next to break this curse.
"I should probably start with looking at that book that the lad seems to talk about so much". Harry thought in his head.
"There's your Hamburger and fries sir. Hope that makes you feel better after facing the mayor's wrath". A waitress said as she came by to deliver Harry's order.
Harry nodded and gave her a smile and replied,
"It's no problem. I've met worse then her. Is she like that to everybody or is she just being protective over the lad".
The waitress chuckled, "I guess you're correct on both fronts. The mayor is very protective when it comes to her son but she's never really been friendly or social with anyone in this town".
"She's hostile to everybody here"? Harry asked as he was eating his fries.
"Well, I'm not sure but I've yet to see her smile at anybody except for her son".
"I take it you don't get many visitors"? Harry asked.
The waitress thought for a bit, " No, not until a few months ago. The new sheriff came here not too long ago but everybody's talked with her once. However, this new guy came actually not long before you did".
Harry frowned at the fact that the waitress said 'New Sheriff''. He knows that he will need to find out what happened to the old one. Harry then remembered the other piece of information. It wasn't hard for him to figure out the other guy had to be this 'August' that Henry mentioned.
"RUBY"! A voice yelled out from the counter. Harry noticed it was from a much older woman with white hair with eyes that matched the waitress he was talking with.
"Crap! I gotta get back to work before my grandma yells at me again. I hope you enjoy your time here. Our town rarely ever get visitors". The waitress (who's name was apparently Ruby) walked back.
Harry thanked her at continued eating his food. As he was eating, he realized his first thing to do afterwards was get in touch with the kid again and hopefully speak with this other mother of his.
After Harry finished his meal, he payed for the food and was about to leave until a question hit his mind.
"Excuse me, Ruby"? Harry asked.
Ruby turned to him, "Yes"?
Harry smiled and said, "Thank you for the meal but I do have a question"?
Ruby nodded and motioned him to ask.
"You said that one of the newcomers here besides me was the New Sheriff. What happened to the old Sheriff? Did he or she retire"? Harry asked, fearing the worst.
Ruby then had a sad look in her eyes. She was going to answer back but her Granny spoke first,
"I'm afraid not. Old Sheriff Graham had died of a heart attack recently. It was very weird considering that he was in good health but it happened".
"And nobody else has died before then". Harry asked suspiciously.
Granny nodded her head no but Ruby's eyes widened and said,
"Well, actually someone was killed a few days ago". Ruby's shoulders stiffened at the bad memory at the Toll Bridge.
"Accident or murder"? Harry asked
"No, it was definitely a murder. Her name is Kathryn Nolan. She disappeared a week ago. I helped the Sheriff uncover evidence that suggested she was murdered". Ruby flinched, she was preferred not to remember what she found under the Toll Bridge.
"Did the sheriff find a suspect with the evidence"? Harry asked calmly.
"Yeah, a school teacher named Mary Margaret Blanchard. She was having an affair with Kathryn's husband David". Ruby replied back.
"28 years living here and nothing ever changes, according to the lad anyway but now a bloke dies of a heart attack and a woman gets murdered. Yeah, I wouldn't have bought that as a coincidence even during my early years at Hogwarts". Harry thought in his head
"She's also the Sheriff's roomate". Ruby added.
Harry nodded at Ruby as he processed this information. He knew something was definitely going on here. He thanked them again and left the shop. He walked to his car and opened the door but he noticed that something was near was placed in the passenger seat. He went around his vehicle and saw that it was the kid's storybook.
"Heh, sneaky little bugger".
Harry touched the cover the storybook and he was instantly hit with a wave of magic and he saw a flash of memories. The effect ended and all he Harry saw was book in his passenger seat. Harry had known that he should trust his gut (it has saved him many times) no matter the circumstance, that the curse was real and now he knew he was right.
Emma had received a call after having left the sheriff station, looking for Henry. The Sheriff had been having a bad day since she had to lock up her friend/roommate for the murder of Kathryn Nolan.
"Did you find him"? Emma asked desperately
"I did find him. No thanks to you but regardless, I have a new task for you, Miss Swan. I want you to look into something. Their is a new person in town. I don't trust him. I believe he is to no good". Regina replied on the other end.
Emma rolled her eyes at Regina's paranoia and replied,
"You want me to roll him into the station and interrogate him because you don't trust him? You asked me to do the same with August and he turned out fine. Seems like you're losing your touch Madam Mayor". Emma retorted
She heard Regina sigh on the other end, "Yes, and like August I have a good reason for my distrust. He was the one that found My son outside the town line and was with him at the Diner".
Emma's attention was grabbed at that moment. A stranger giving Henry a ride home? That definitely did not sit well with her at all.
"Who is he"?
"He goes by the name Harry. He was inside Granny's a few minutes ago after I picked Henry up. I want to report a harassment. I trust you will do your job and do it to the letter. Have a pleasant day, Miss Swan". Emma heard Regina hang up, indicating the conversation is over.
"Alright Harry, Who are you and what are you doing with my kid". Emma said as she turned her car on and drove towards Granny's.
Emma had made it as he watched the man who she assumed was Harry closed his car door. She got a good look at him. She had to admit it, he was handsome. He was a bit taller then her and had wild black hair. He looked like he could handle himself in a fight. Those scars on the right side of his face certainly told a story. What surprised Emma was his green eyes. They were intense and Emma almost thought that they were looking right through her. Emma then ignored her thoughts and walked over to the man, determined to get the truth out of him.
Harry noticed the beautiful blonde woman in the red leather jacket and jeans come out of the police car. He knew he had to talk to her eventually but he had trouble figuring out why the Sheriff was after him.
"So this is the mother that Henry came to find. The Daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Damn! They got the 'fairest in all the land' part right". Harry thought as he turned to the sheriff.
"Harry"? The Sheriff asked him.
Harry nodded and asked, "What can I do for you Sheriff? Is it a crime to eat at a diner"?
Emma retorted back, "No but harassment is".
Harry narrowed his eyes as he scratched his stubble and replied, "Sheriff, I've only been in this town for about fifteen minutes. Tell me, who could I have possibly harassed"?
Their was no reply but Harry could tell Emma was at a loss herself.
"The Mayor told you that didn't she"?
Just by the look on her face, Harry could tell that the Sheriff did not like the Mayor at all.
"Yes but you were with Henry. It is completely natural for a mother to be concerned with their child riding with a stranger". Emma replied annoyed.
Harry nodded in understanding and said, "Miss, the boy was sitting on the side of the road outside the town line. I was only looking for the lad. He even asked me to give him a ride into town". Harry had decided to leave out the fact that Henry had contacted him. It's not time for him to tell everything yet.
Harry continued, "The lad doesn't seem afraid of strangers but I completely understand the Mayor's concern but she certainly didn't need to threaten me".
The Sheriff's head had cocked to the side and her eyebrow rose. Harry had recalled Henry doing this while he was talking to him earlier.
"She threatened you? What'd she say"? She asked
"She certainly was not very welcoming. That's for bloody sure. She told me to get in my car and leave town. She said that if she caught me with her son again then she will destroy me again if it is the last thing she does". Harry answered with his arms crossed.
Harry noticed the Sheriff's eyes narrowed and her expression hardened,
"She's quite lovely. She threatened me the same way when I got here". She said sarcastically
"Quite, but a bit dramatic though". Emma gave small smile in agreement.
"I'd say more then a bit. Alright Harry, I believe you but you better watch out for her. She doesn't take her threats lightly and there are a lot of people her under her thumb".
Harry nodded and smiled, "Don't worry. She's not the first to threaten me".
"You have a last name Harry". The Sheriff asked.
Harry mentally cursed at himself. He knew that if he told her his real name then she wouldn't believe him. It's very likely she would've read those blasted books about him in the past and believed it to be fiction.
"She'll think I'm a raving lunatic if I tell her right now. I hate to do it but I gotta lie".
Luckily he and Hermione had planned for moments like these where muggles would ask for identification. He handed out a badge and showed it to her.
"My name is Hadrian Black. Harry for short, I'm a private investigator from England". Harry explained.
The Sheriff nodded in acknowledgement and said to him, "You're a long way from home then Mr. Black".
Harry was glad that she bought it. It wasn't even technically a lie. Not long after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione discovered that Harry was actually short for Hadrian. Although he still preferred to be called Harry by people. His godfather was a Black so that wasn't really a lie either.
"Call me Harry, I'm on a long vacation. Wanted to get away for awhile. Should I continue to call you Sheriff or do you have a name too"? Harry asked in a joking manner.
She gave him a half smile and replied, "I'm Emma, Emma Swan. Look Harry, I got to go. I got a case to crack so stay out of trouble, or you'll be seeing me again". Harry chuckled at her statement as she walking back to her police car, knowing how easy it is to avoid trouble (note the sarcasm).
"A case? What kind"? Harry asked
"Someone was murdered under a part of town called the Toll Bridge. We have a suspect but I need to determine whether she's guilty or not". Emma answered
Harry replied, "By the worried look on your face, you want to prove that she's innocent. Am I right Swan"?
Emma stared at him for a few seconds but Harry could definitely feel her gaze on him, trying to figure him out.
"She's my friend but she's not the type to commit murder". Emma blurted out. She couldn't believe she just said that.
"But because you're the Sheriff and a certain Mayor who throws temper tantrums if she doesn't get her way, wants you to do your job? How good am I doing"? Harry cheekily finished.
"Why are you asking me"? Emma asked with steel in her voice.
"Relax Emma, I simply am offering my help with your case". Harry replied
"I thought you were on vacation. You said you wanted to get away from work and why would you want to help me with the case". Emma countered
Harry replied, "My vacation can be over when I say it's over. Not to mention, the mayor threatened and I really don't take threats lightly". Harry saw Emma chuckle a bit at that.
Harry continued, "And from what I hear, she wants this women condemned to prison. Proving her innocence would be very bad for the mayor, wouldn't it".
"You wanna get revenge on Regina because she threatened you"? Emma asked as she cocked her eyebrow at Harry.
Harry retorted back, "Others have threatened me like that before and often times, they actually tried to kill me". Emma couldn't argue with that but she wasn't absolutely sure yet if Regina would actually attempt to murder this guy. Even Mr. Gold is more likely to commit murder in her eyes then Regina.
Harry continued, "You told me that their is quite a bit of people in this town that are in her pocket. The fact that you-The Bloody Sheriff of this town told me that confirms to me that you're not under her thumb. You're also wanting to defend this woman when the mayor is most likely trying to condemn her. This is more then just getting back at someone Swan. It's about defiance against corruption. It's about exposing a dirty mayor to the public but most important of all, it's about saving an innocent life from being ruined".
Harry could tell he had struck a nerve with her. He could see that she was in agreement with him but was still troubled. He stared at her for a moment and saw something in her hazel eyes that he could've sworn was a look of admiration and understanding. Like she saw someone who was a lot like her. Not to mention the small blush on her face. She quickly composed herself and replied,
"What makes you think Mary Margaret is innocent"? Emma asked Harry with a challenged look in her eyes.
"Besides the Mayor wanting to put the woman behind bars"? Harry joked
Emma snorted and rolled her eyes as Harry continued, " Because the Mayor is certainly the type to cover up a murder. You did after all say that their are a lot of people here that work under her thumb. In other words, if she did commit murder then she could get these people to lie and cover it up".
"Is that it? No other reason besides being threatened by her". Emma asked in confusion. She respected that Harry was taking her warning to heart but he doesn't even have all the facts. He hasn't even met Mary Margaret.
"Emma, I've learned a long time ago that sometimes, facts are not enough even when you feel like they are telling you something, your gut might tell you something else entirely. You have to follow your instincts to know where to go. Trust your gut and you'll know what the right thing to do is even if it doesn't make sense".
Emma understood trusting her gut. She had a superpower for crying out loud! Yet, what Harry was insinuating was that she should discard all the facts if her gut says otherwise, no matter the consequences.
"I'm sorry but you're wrong. Facts bring the truth out, not belief. Just because you believe in something doesn't make it true".Emma argued to Harry.
"Even if the facts are misleading"? Harry retorted back.
Emma rolled her eyes. She thought he was being ridiculous.
"Look, I appreciate your offer of help Harry. You are right about some of what you've said but I know what I'm doing in this case. I don't need any help so thanks but no thanks".
Harry reluctantly nodded, he had expected that. He then pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down a few numbers.
"What is it"? Emma asked confused.
"Don't worry Swan, I understand. However, should you change your mind. Just dial that number and I'll drive over to help in any way I can". Harry answered as he offered the piece of paper to her.
Emma was in a argument with herself. Her mind was telling her to reject the offer. It was better for her not to get close with anyone. Yet, she was hearing a voice in her head that was telling her to take it. She was at a loss but for once, she listened to the voice.
"Thanks". Emma reluctantly took the paper with Harry's number on it.
They both were about to leave each other but Emma turned around and said, "Just so you know Harry, If anything happens to Henry and I think you could be involved, You'll have to deal with me and you have no idea what I'm capable of. So be careful". She left without letting Harry reply.
Harry had gotten in his car and looked at the storybook and laughed,
"Too late for that Ms. Swan, I'm already in trouble".
Harry then picked up the Storybook and opened it up, hoping this would turn out better then the end of his second year at Hogwarts.
Unbeknownst to Harry, A much older man with grey hair and wearing a business suit had a sinister look on his face was staring at Harry from far away.
"What are you doing here"? The man muttered quietly.