Rendezvous with Death by Suzanne Rossi

Author:Suzanne Rossi [Rossi, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Suspense, Small Town
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2015-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

I smoothed my skirt and entered the Mayor’s office for my interview at precisely nine o’clock. A woman in her mid-forties with a no-nonsense expression clearly stating, “No appointment, no access” greeted me. She checked a book on her desk before indicating I have a seat while she picked up the phone. A minute later, Howard Whitman emerged from an inner office.

“Nice of you to be on time, Miss Jackson,” he said, leading me across the spacious waiting room to a heavy oak door. “You have exactly thirty minutes. Mayor Cosworth is due at a meeting in Preston Lakes at ten.”

“I understand.”

He opened the door, announcing, “Miss Jackson of The South Florida Standard to see you, Mr. Mayor.”

He stepped aside. The Mayor rose from behind his desk and advanced to shake hands, a welcoming smile on his face.

“Miss Jackson, I’m glad we’re getting an opportunity to talk. Please, be seated.”

He resumed his seat while I sat in an armchair in front of his desk, set up my recorder, and fired the first question.

“Mr. Mayor, as you know, the South Street nightclub and Riverside districts attract a lot of tourists. The recent spate of muggings and a murder in the area have some business owners nervous. Could you please comment on that?”

He launched into an impassioned speech about how the area was a mecca not only for tourists, but for residents as well.

“I’ve instructed the police department to step up patrols in both areas and along the beach. Our economy depends on people having a good time. Those areas are dining and nightlife destinations. The recent residential construction has also provided new life to a tired downtown area. We can’t allow the criminal element to take control.”

He left the door wide open, and I stepped through. “There have been a huge number of high rise condominiums going up all over Port Royale. Some people claim they’re being bought by speculators.”

“Speculators pay taxes, just like the rest of us.”

“Yes, but the Seminole River is lined with condos and the beachfront is going the same way. Parking lots are disappearing and locals fear they’re being squeezed out of beach activities. It seems excessive in an over-expanded and now depressed real estate market.”

“Progress is measured in dollars and cents, Miss Jackson. Port Royale can’t afford to be left behind,” the Mayor stated, steepling his hands under his chin. “I have faith the markets will return to normal levels soon. Empty units will be sold.”

“I understand the land The River Tower Condos now occupies was some kind of legacy to the city. I was under the impression it was to be used for a park.”

A frown marred his brow, and he shifted in his chair. My comment must have caught him off guard.

“Yes, that’s true, but in the end we decided a park was unnecessary. There are several other parks nearby, all of which are on the river.”

“Plus, the city was having a financial crisis at the time,” I added.

“I wouldn’t refer to it as a crisis.

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