Read Online Drawing Close: The Fourth Novel in the Rosemont Series by Barbara Hinske - Free Book Online

leaned
toward him. “I know this is sudden. You should be afforded the time to think
this through. Being on the town council right now will eat up a lot of your
time. The pay is inadequate. But I know you love this town with every fiber of
your being. And I am absolutely certain that you are the best person for the
job. I can’t afford to appoint someone who isn’t qualified. The town needs
you.” Tim raised his eyes to meet hers. “If you need time to think about it,
I’m willing to give it to you. But if you know—in your heart—that
you’d like to do this, I encourage you to commit right now. If I can announce
your appointment at the news conference today at three, it will send a positive
message to our constituents.”
    Maggie leaned back in her chair and regarded him
thoughtfully. “We’re going to get coffee and leave you alone to think about
this.” She motioned for Tonya to join her. “Want a cup?”
    Tim turned to face them and a smile crept across
his face. “Does the mayor serve coffee to the council members in this town? Is
that one of your official duties?”
    Maggie stopped short, searching his face to make
sure she correctly understood the implication of his words. Tim nodded as he
stood up. Maggie closed the gap between them and swept him into a quick hug.
“This is a very courageous thing you’re doing. There may be times when you’ll
want to strangle me for this, but I know you’ll be proud of yourself in the
long run.”
    “Thank you, Tim,” Tonya said. “I’ll show you the
ropes and help you any way I can.”
    Tim checked his watch. “I’m assuming you’re
staying put until the news conference?”
    Maggie nodded. “And I’d like you there with us
when I announce that you’ll fill Delgado’s seat. Would you like to say a few
words?”
    Tim rolled his eyes. “Not really, but I think I
should. I’ll come up with something between now and then. In the meantime,” he
said, heading to the door, “why don’t I go over to Pete’s and bring us back
some sandwiches? I don’t imagine we’ll get out of here on time for dinner,
either.”
    “Great idea and much appreciated. Will you get
something for Alex as well? He’ll be here for the news conference, and I’m sure
he won’t have eaten lunch.”
    ***
    Alex hurried up the back stairs at
Town Hall and into the mayor’s office at three fifteen. He didn’t try to
approach the elevators. The lobby was packed with reporters and curious members
of the public as news of Delgado’s arrest spread like wildfire through the
small town. They were all on hand for the news conference that was now running
late. He burst into Maggie’s office with an apology on his lips.
    Maggie held up her hand to silence him. “Don’t
worry about it because nobody’s going anywhere. Believe me—they’ll wait.
A few more minutes won’t hurt them. Sit down and relax for a minute.” She
reached into the small refrigerator behind her desk and withdrew a sandwich
wrapped in paper. “Here,” she said, thrusting it at him. “Eat this. You don’t
know when you’ll get another chance today.” She nodded to the far corner of the
room. “Council Member Knudsen got it for you.”
    Alex’s head snapped up from his unwrapped sandwich.
“I didn’t see you there,” he said. “Maggie told me she was going to approach
you. You’re the ideal person to succeed Delgado. Thank you for agreeing to step
into this quagmire with us.”
    “Is that what I’m doing?” Tim joked. “Maggie
didn’t put it quite that way.”
    “Now, gentlemen …” Maggie began.
    Tim waved her off. “No worries, Maggie. I know
what I’m getting into.”
    Alex turned to Maggie. “Why don’t you run through
your presentation for me while I finish this?”
    ***
    Police Chief Andy Thomas met Mayor
Margaret Martin and Special Counsel Alex Scanlon by the rear stairwell on the
first floor of Town Hall. Council Members Tim Knudsen and Tonya Holmes brought
up the rear.
    “Good