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

against Mr. Delgado.”
    When Chief Thomas finished, Maggie returned to the
podium. “We’ll take as many of your questions as we can before the building
closes in twenty minutes.” She pointed to a reporter she recognized from the Westbury
Gazette .
    “Where is Delgado being held?
    Maggie deferred the question to Alex, who joined
her at the microphone. “He’s incarcerated at the town jail.”
    Maggie pointed to another reporter.
    “How strong is the state’s case? Why did it take
so long to arrest him?”
    “The state’s case is substantial; our evidence is
compelling,” Alex answered and launched into a detailed account of the
difficulties of subpoenaing documents from the offshore banks.
    “Do you expect Delgado to get out on bail?”
    “We really couldn’t say if Mr. Delgado will post
bail or not,” Alex replied.
    “I can answer that for you,” came a booming voice
from the back of the room. A tall, stocky man with an expensive suit and a
confident swagger addressed the crowd in a voice that needed no amplification.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce myself. You’re going to be seeing a lot
of me. I’m Phillip Hastings, and I’m Mr. Delgado’s attorney. I’m not from these
parts. I’m from Chicago. I look forward to getting to know all of you and your
lovely town. A town that Mr. Delgado, much like Mr. Knudsen,” Hastings turned
to glare at the newly appointed council member, “has spent his life working to
make a better place. I’ve reviewed these charges,” he continued, flicking a
piece of paper he raised over his head, “and can assure you that none of these
will hold water. Mr. Delgado will post bail later today and get a good night’s
sleep in his own bed tonight. And he’ll be found not guilty of every single
charge on this sheet. I promise you that,” he concluded.
    “We’ll leave this debate for the courtroom,”
Maggie replied. “It’s after five and Town Hall is now closed. Thank you all for
coming.” Maggie turned and, flanked by the others, pushed her way to the
elevators.

Chapter 12
    David Wheeler sat in the waiting
room of Westbury Animal Hospital with Dodger sitting like a perfect gentleman
at his side. The dog was due for his annual checkup. Dodger had been working as
a therapy dog at Mercy Hospital and needed to be up to date on all of his
shots. Juan, the senior veterinary technician, knelt to scratch Dodger behind
the ears.
    “I hear you’ve been taking the hospital by storm,”
Juan said, looking up at David.
    David shrugged. “Dodger’s a natural. Everybody likes
him—young and old. He loves visiting people in the hospital and nursing
homes.”
    Juan nodded. “And I hear you’re an excellent
handler. Weren’t the two of you doing agility before he got hurt?”
    “We’d just started.”
    “Have you ever thought about being a vet or a vet
tech, like me? I love my job, and you’d be good at it.”
    “I’ve thought about it,” David said. “I’m not sure
I’ll have the money to go to college.”
    “You could get loans. I did. When do you
graduate?’
    “I’ll be a junior this fall.”
    “You’ve got plenty of time to figure things out.
Think about it. And if you want to spend a day or two here shadowing me to see
what I do, I’ll ask Dr. Allen about it. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
    David nodded. “That’d be cool.”
    “Let me see if they’re ready for you.”
    ***
    “Hello, David,” John said,
extending his hand. “How’s the talk of the town?” he said, bending to stroke
Dodger.
    “He’s good. We’re here to get his shots so we can
keep going to the hospital.”
    “Excellent. Let me have a look at him.” John ran
practiced hands over the compliant animal. “What are you doing this summer?”
    “Dodger and I spend a day a week at the hospital
and at Fairview Terraces, and I’m working at Forever Friends.”
    John nodded. “The folks at the shelter speak very
highly of you. You’re a natural with animals.” He