Read Online Dorothy Garlock - [Dolan Brothers] by With Heart - Free Book Online Page A

I might add.”
    “I was sure glad he came along when I was being hijacked. He said he turned the names in to the sheriff, but I’ve heard nothing about signing a complaint.”
    “And you won’t.”
    “How often do they have a city council meeting here?” Kathleen asked.
    “Whenever the mayor calls one. It’s usually on short notice. Over and done with before I’m aware of it.”
    “Do they allow you to see the minutes?”
    Adelaide snorted. “Sure. It’s the law. They give me the bare bones. The meeting was opened, roll called, minutes read and approved. Usually they have a little discussion about a chuckhole in the street or a crack in the sidewalk, then adjourn. Nothing there you can report on. It’s been that way for the past five years.”
    “Since the doctor became mayor?”
    “Right.”
    “There isn’t anyone who stands up against him?”
    “He’s an icon, a hero around here. If you criticize him, it’s like criticizing Jesus Christ, motherhood, or baseball. The man and his cronies have a stranglehold on this town. Folks love him, and woe to the one who exposes the good guy as a bad guy. That kind of truth turns the people against the messenger every time.”
    “Has he tried to win you over to his side?”
    “He asked me out to dinner a few times after his wife died. He was diplomatic about it; but he insinuated that, being an old maid, I think he said maiden lady, he, as my doctor, could teach me the pleasures of the flesh . . . my words, not his. I was so shocked I couldn’t remember exactly what he said, but his meaning was clear. He was willing to give the old maid a treat.” Adelaide shivered. “What little respect I had for him went right out the window.”
    “He’s the only doctor in town isn’t he? Do you go to him when you get sick?”
    “Paul had been here only a few months when I got really sick. He took me to Altus. Of course, Doc found out about it and sent the sheriff and the deputy in to question Paul. They didn’t find out anything. Paul is very clever. He has managed to create a whole new identity for himself. I didn’t know about Paul’s past at that time. I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t until later that he told me.”
    “He’s the best linotype operator I’ve ever seen. The operator in Liberal made ten times the mistakes Paul makes. Sometimes I don’t find any in column after column, and I think that I’ve overlooked something.”
    Adelaide’s eyes shone with pride. “He is good, isn’t he?”
    “He worked on a paper before he came here, didn’t he?”
    “Yes. A big paper. Paul is an honorable man. He thought it fair that you knew something about him when you put your money in the paper. He’ll tell you more when he’s ready. Do you have any objection to his writing the national news?”
    “Absolutely not! He does a really great job; as good as the
Oklahoman and Times
or the
Wichita Eagle.
It’s outstanding for a town of this size. I hope the readers realize what they’re getting.” Kathleen picked up her folder and headed for the door. “I’ll get the ad from the grocery store, and we’ll have the advertising in for this week except for the classifieds. I’ll write the rodeo story when I get back so Paul can set it.”
    “I have two long obits. Both men were old-timers here. I wish I had time to send their pictures to Lawton for engraving. I may send them anyway and run the pictures next week.”
    “There was an engraver in Liberal, but he was expensive, and the publisher wouldn’t let us put in a picture unless it was something important. We had an extensive file of engravings, pictures of all the prominent people for miles around, and local sites. By the way, I brought mine and put it in the file. You can use it in case I get run over by a truck.”
    “Oh, go on with you. You’d better not get hit by a truck. I’d be mad as a hornet. I hate doing ads,” Adelaide called.
    Kathleen laughed at her over her shoulder as she went out the