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

work, Chief,” Maggie said, extending her
hand. “Now—let’s get this news conference over with. It’s quarter to
four. The building closes at five. I’ll use that as an excuse to end the
conference if I have to.”
    “I think you’ll have to, ma’am,” Chief Thomas
said. “The natives are restless.”
    “We’d better get started. Follow me.” Maggie
turned sharply on her heel and made her way through the crowded lobby to the
podium. “Members of the press and citizens of Westbury,” she began, “as you may
have heard, council member and local businessman Charles Delgado was arrested
this morning on eighteen counts of fraud, embezzlement, perjury, and conspiracy
related to the recent theft of funds from the town’s general fund and the town
workers’ pension fund. Special Counsel Scanlon is with me today, and I’ll turn
the microphone over to him to give you a detailed recap of the charges.”
    Hands flew up across the room. “We’ll be taking
questions after Special Counsel Scanlon concludes his remarks. First, I want to
publicly thank Chief Thomas, the Westbury Police Force, Special Counsel
Scanlon, and his staff for their hard work and dedication in uncovering the
evidence to support this arrest. This case has been extremely complex and
everyone involved has worked tirelessly to get to this point. Without—”
Maggie was interrupted by a reporter from the crowd.
    “Mayor Martin, can you explain to us why it took
so long?”
    “As I said, we’ll be taking your questions after
Special Counsel Scanlon’s address.” Maggie motioned for the smattering of
raised hands in the crowd to be lowered. “By operation of state law, Council Member
Delgado’s arrest suspends his position on the council until he is cleared of
all charges. As your mayor, I’m empowered to appoint his replacement. I’m
pleased to announce that prominent local Realtor and lifelong Westbury resident
Tim Knudsen has graciously agreed to serve out the remainder of Mr. Delgado’s
term.”
    A smattering of applause spread through the crowd.
“I’ll bet every one of you out there knows Tim and shares my belief that he’s
exactly who we need on the council right now. Born and raised in Westbury,
there’s not a square inch of this town that he’s not familiar with or a person
or business that he doesn’t know. We’re very fortunate that he’s willing to
take time away from his thriving real estate business to help us restore
prosperity to the town and integrity to Town Hall.”
    The sea of heads in front of her nodded in
agreement. “Without further ado, let me present to you Council Member Tim
Knudsen. Tim—why don’t you say a few words before I turn the podium over
to Special Counsel Scanlon and Chief Thomas.”
    Tim Knudsen approached the microphone. “I’m as
surprised to find myself up here as all of you must be. Mayor Martin is
right—I’m a born and bred local boy. I know many of you whose futures are
now uncertain because your retirement funds have been snatched away from you,
through no fault of your own. I’ll work tirelessly with the mayor and the other
council members to right this wrong. Looking around the room, I see people I
went to school with and members of my Kiwanis club, couples I’ve helped
purchase their first home and people I regularly pass on the street. You know
where to find me, and my door will always be open to you. I’m honored to be
selected to fill this position, and I thank the mayor and all of you.” He
stepped away to an enthusiastic round of applause.
    Maggie nodded to Alex and he came forward,
motioning for Chief Thomas to join him. “As Mayor Martin just said, Charles
Delgado was arrested at his place of business this morning and taken into
custody without incident. This arrest is the culmination of months of detailed
police work and Chief Thomas and the Westbury Police Force are to be
congratulated for their efforts. I’ll now ask Chief Thomas to read the formal
charges