The Unpopular Deputy by Andrew Allan

Author:Andrew Allan [Allan, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735095103
Publisher: Swamp Hassle Books
Published: 2020-09-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LONG DAY? TOUGH.

Need sleep? Too bad.

Hungry? Get food and go.

Bird City called and Pete couldn’t slack.

He washed up in the department showers. Home was too far away and too dangerous. No telling who could be waiting for him there.

The buffet at the Western Sizzlin’ allowed Pete to control his time better than waiting to be served at a restaurant. And it provided nourishment fast food couldn’t provide. He greeted a few friendly faces as he moved down the food line, filling his plate and tray with enough to hold him over until the next morning.

But an unfriendly face was waiting at his table when he returned.

“Hello, Pete.”

“Dale.”

“It’s Mayor—”

“Gonna have to be quick. I’m in a hurry.”

“Okay.”

Pete sat. “Here to spoil my appetite?”

“No. A few questions is all.”

Pete nodded and forked steak into his mouth.

“You’re working for the department again.”

“That a question or a statement?”

The Mayor smiled. “The uniform gives me my answer.”

“There you go.”

“Seems like that’s probably a good thing for the county.”

Pete responded by eating a forkful of Mexican lasagna.

The Mayor scanned the room, clearly getting his thoughts together.

“Something bothering you?” said Pete.

You could see the politician’s facade form upon Dale’s natural face.

“Not bothering. I’m just curious about all that’s been going on. You got the Meadowlark, now there’s this stuff with Eldon’s wife. I hear Rudy Schnaas was in town and we didn’t even know it.”

“And don’t forget what happened at my place.”

He hadn’t heard.

“Two militia types shot up my truck, attempted to kill me.

The mayor sat silent and perplexed.

“Don’t worry. I survived.”

“See, that’s what I mean. There’s a lot going on and I need to know what kind of trouble this town’s in.”

Pete washed his food down with Pepsi. “I wouldn’t say it’s in trouble. I’d say there are some folks getting out of line.”

“Exploding hotel goes beyond out of line.”

“True.”

“Kidnappers roaming free is beyond out of line.”

Pete shrugged.

“Wackos shooting up your place is way out of line.”

“We can agree on that.” He tapped fork against plate. “I’m almost finished. What’s your point?”

“Point is…are all the right things being done about it?”

Pete paused to give the mayor a long, serious look.

“What?” said Dale.

“I know what you’re doing.”

Mayor Dale busted out the who me? innocent look.

“You’re fishing. And I think it’s to get dirt on Sheriff Bates.”

“I didn’t say that.”

Pete leaned in, “But we both know you meant it. Because we both know that’s what you do.”

“I have to watch out for my constituents.”

“On behalf of Eldon Melcher? Are you pumping me for info so you can help Jasper Jones?”

Dale’s smirked. Hard to tell if he was admitting those secret intentions or if he felt Pete was a lost cause, possibly delusional, given such a ridiculous accusation.

“Not gonna lie,” said the Mayor. “Jones has my vote.”

“Based on such a lengthy and distinguished law career.” It was sarcastic.

“He was a cop before.”

“Impressive.”

Mayor Dale threw up his hands. “I simply don’t think Bates has what it takes.”

“And I know first-hand what happens next when you think that.”

“Funny.”

“Is it?” Pete wiped his face.

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