emerald – Chapter 1
Intro
Start reading emerald, a dystopian detective novel set in a world where the apocalypse may already be unfolding unnoticed.
Ian D. Feldman, Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.
Chapter text
I came to give the money back. The crowd wants their pound of flesh—mine.
The Richard Shelby Federal Building and Courthouse looms over me. Its grand entrance with the portico modeled on the Greek Temple of Zeus at Nemea promises divine lightning to those who break the law. Twin wings sprouting from the central atrium give me a shiver with their double threat—the FBI on one side and the US District Court on the other.
I spent months under severe scrutiny in both. After all the interviews and depositions, I turned state's evidence against my husband, the megachurch pastor who fleeced his flock and broke my heart. I found his stolen treasure—over seven hundred million dollars' worth of gold bars the government liquidated to repay his fines and court costs. With what's left, the ministry gained the wherewithal to repay its debts. As the sole remaining officer of Holy Holloway Ministries, I've come to do my duty in bankruptcy court and sign off on the full repayment of the ministry's creditors.
A cawing gaggle of reporters flocks around the main entrance, waiting to tear pieces of news from any carcass within reach. The juiciest saga in Alabama's recent memory closes when Saxon Holloway's pilfered millions breathe life into businesses left for dead with the ministry's downfall. I'm hoping the ten days I spent in hell to retrieve that money will win me the community's forgiveness. A wave at the edge of the throng draws me to a section of greenery away from the crowd.
Mary Jo Elsbeth, the court-appointed trustee for the ministry's bankruptcy, extends her hand. "Thank you for coming, Mrs. Holloway. The Department of Justice appreciates your cooperation."
"I always did my best to cooperate." With a quick look askance at the reporters, I shake her hand. "I just want it all behind me so I can get on with my life."
"You'll be able to do that once we're done. We've got a happy ending here."
Memories of my previous visits flash through my mind. "What's so happy about it? That bunch on the steps looks vicious."
She smiles with a tilt of her head at the waiting throng. "A happy ending in bankruptcy court. It isn't often that everyone gets paid in full with interest. In fact, I'd say it's as common as a month of Sundays."
"So I guess that makes today pretty rare." I risk another glance at the reporters. "Can we go in the side door?"
She laughs. "Side door? No way. Today we celebrate. The judge has already verbally approved the plan. When you agree to the plan on behalf of the ministry and the creditors accept it, the judge will issue the decree to end the bankruptcy. The banks, the lawyers, and everyone owed money by the ministry will walk away satisfied. In record time, too. This will be the best thirty minutes of your life. And when we're done, I'll have just enough time to make it to my daughter's championship game."
Signs scattered about the plaza tell me the crowd standing on the courthouse steps wants to spoil the party.
Cash for creditors. What about the defrocked flock?
Broken Promises. Broken Lives.
Holloway Stole My Soul And My Retirement
"What happens to the rest of the money?"
"Because the ministry was as much a victim of Saxon Holloway's crimes as anyone else, the ministry gets the rest of the money back."
"Why is that?"
"With the gold you found, the ministry can pay. No creditor gets more than they're owed. Any money leftover goes to the debtor—Holy Holloway Ministry."
"And because I'm the sole officer of the ministry?"
Mary Jo beams. "You decide what to do with it. You can restart the ministry or anything consistent with the ministry's charter."
A tall, dark-haired man in a sport coat and slacks talking with a short, round man at the edge of the crowd distracts me. When his gaze finds me, he dips his head the way a vulture assesses its victim. He places a hand on the shoulder of the smaller man and says something without taking his eyes off me. The smaller man nods and lifts a sign I can't see.
A chill runs up my spine. "You make it sound so easy. Are you sure we can't use the side door?"
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"Not a chance. Full repayment may not happen again in my lifetime. I'm going to make the most of it. You should too."
A chant rises over the throng.
Share…share…share…we want a share…share…share…
They want retribution for years of pastoral pablum that turned their money into a grand cathedral that sits as empty as their wallets. Once a place of fervent favor, the five-hundred-million-dollar Holloway Ministry campus grows weeds in untended gardens instead of faith in parishioners' hearts. "Can I give the leftover money back?"
"Why would you do that? With what's left, you can rebuild. Make the ministry what it was supposed to be."
The discomfiting gaze of the dark-haired man warns me away from Mary Jo's guidance. "How much will the ministry get?"
"A hundred and fifty million, plus or minus. With that much money, you could mend lots of broken hearts."
"I'm not so sure. Many people sought Saxon's gold when it was a fairytale. Now that it's real, the temptation to take it may be too much."
Mary Jo negates my concern. "The money goes to the ministry. The only way anyone else gets it is over your dead body."
"That's what I'm afraid of. Besides, I have a plan to give it back. Maybe you could look at it?"
A reporter shouts from the steps. "There she is!"
Camera lights swivel toward us. Fingers point.
Mary Jo straightens her tailored blazer and checks her watch. "Maybe after court, if there's time. Judge Tortikoff appreciates punctuality. For once, I get to give everyone good news. Let's give the cameras a big smile on the way in. Don't say anything. In fact, you speak only when the judge speaks to you. Let us do what we're good at, and everything will go without a hitch." She leads me through the mass of microphones thrust forward like glaives from a medieval battle line. "Sorry, folks, no time for a chat. We've got to get to court so we can get everybody paid. This is a major victory for the Department of Justice and the bankruptcy process. We'll have plenty of time to share the details after the hearing, so don't you worry. We'll have plenty to say afterward." As she makes for the entrance, the dark-haired man steps in front of me, separating me from Mary Jo.
"Mrs. Holloway, Nate Kessler. I'm shooting a documentary about your recent success. Can you comment on today's settlement hearing?"
I lean around Mr. Kessler as Mary Jo reaches the door to the courthouse. "Um, no, I don't think so."
He blocks my view of Mary Jo and turns up the corners of his mouth, revealing his perfect upper teeth and giving a sense of reasonableness to his face. "I understand you had quite an ordeal. Surely you have something to share about your sudden return to Jasper and discovery of your husband's treasure."
"Um, no, I have to go."
While the other reporters encircle us, Kessler's tone changes as his voice modulates and slows his words. "This will just take a second. My viewers are keenly interested in your courageous search. You overcame so many difficulties. We'd love to get your perspective on it. Just a few words for your growing community of fans." His gaze lingers, clear blue eyes warm and inviting, with the slightest nod of his head.
A new chant emanates from the crowd. "Tell us…tell us…tell us…"
"Um, well, there isn't really much to say, and I don't want to keep the judge waiting."
"Just a couple of words…for your fans…for the people who want your side of the story."
The crowd hems me in.
"I can't really add anything to what the Department of Justice reported. Their account pretty much covered it."
"I understand your reputation for modesty. It isn't often I find such a reluctant hero. The official account makes it sound so…bland, so matter of fact. There must be more to the story. Your perspective would bring it to life. Anything you can share…some tidbit to give us the flavor of your experience. After all, you found buried treasure."
Surrounded by a wall of microphones and cameras, with lights shining in my eyes, heat rises in my cheeks. "Well, it wasn't buried."
"See? That's exactly what we want to know. The real story from your perspective. Just facts you can share to set the record straight."
But I have to go. "Well, um, I thought..."
Kessler lifts his eyebrows with a tilt of his head as he steps forward just a bit. The chant gets louder.
"Well, it's just, you see, um…complicated."
"I'll bet it is. We have plenty of time for a couple of words. Why is it complicated?"
"Um, well, you see—"
A strong hand grabs me by the elbow. Mary Jo steers me through the human wall. "Sorry, folks, Mrs. Holloway has an appointment." She lowers her voice. "Stay with me this time. I won't rescue you again. Full repayment or no, Judge Tortikoff will not tolerate tardiness. Do not make her angry."
As Mary Jo drags me up the courthouse steps, I look back at the crowd. I'm not worried about an angry judge. It's what comes after.