Sheriff Lucy Valentine hated trouble. She also hated surprises.
One source of trouble—her mother, Frances Valentine—had just arrived at Lucy’s office. Lucy could always count on Fran to induce her to consume headache tablets as if they were M&Ms. But at least Fran seldom brought surprises.
Today she brought both.
“Bertha Hawkins wants to run for mayor?”
“That’s right,” Fran said, dropping into a chair.
This was the last thing on earth Lucy had expected to hear. “What makes her think she’s qualified?”
“Why shouldn’t she be? The current mayor was a mechanic.”
“He wasn’t a mechanic, Mother. He just owned the auto repair shop.”
Fran snorted. “Well, my car sure runs better since he changed careers.”
Lucy sighed, her mind still on Bertha Hawkins. “Why in the world would someone like Bertha want to be mayor?” she asked. Then she paused, her eyes narrowing. “And why are you telling me about it?”
“You mean, why am I really here?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Fran, obviously pleased, raised her chin and said, “Bertha thinks the city council’s embezzling, and she can right the wrongs.”
“What?”
“It’s not as crazy as it sounds, Lucy. We both know the town’s almost broke.”
“Yes, but—”
|
