Killer Beach Reads

by Gemma Halliday Publishing

  "No ma'am. Those just make noise. We need some visuals for the show." Devon sounded worried at disappointing her.

  "Hmmm…well that's better than nothing." She shrugged.

  "I need to get back down to City Hall and see what I can work out with Mayor Mills, but I have to take a shower first," I said, reluctantly.

  "Is it okay if I head that way right now? Prentiss needs a break, and the Chief wants us to keep it covered until we see how this is going to shake out," Devon asked.

  "Sure. I'll get a ride down there. I need to pick up my car anyway." I leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek—my second of the day.

  He nodded and then bid Ms. Lanier and Denise good-bye before exiting the house.

  "Honey, if you're not gonna kiss him better than that, you're gonna lose that stud muffin," Ms. Lanier advised.

  "Yeah, he's a hottie all right," Denise chimed in.

  "Don't you start," I said to Denise. She laughed.

  "I'm gonna go get showered and changed before I go. I need to collect my thoughts," I said and moseyed down the hall.

  How was I going to settle this feud happening in our town's own backyard?

  I guess I'm going to have to fly by the seat of my pants.

  CHAPTER SIX

  6:00 p.m.

  After a nice long shower, I dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a white tank top. I brushed out my hair and stared at myself in the mirror. Maybe I should add a little something special to my normal attire. A thought occurred to me, and I opened a drawer under the bathroom counter. Extracting a bright red handkerchief I tied it in my hair.

  Now, I was patriotic and in the spirit of summer fun. If only I could appeal to Dougie Mills' town patriotism. He was, after all, a member of one of the founding families of Millbrook.

  I knew that this was what had driven him into the off-kilter state of mind that he was currently experiencing. His love for our city was something that shouldn't be taken for granted.

  Sure, he'd gone about the whole thing in a totally wrong way. I wondered if he'd serve time. I thought of the signatures he'd asked for today and how all these people in my life had signed off on it—mostly just because I'd asked them to.

  And I thought about Macy Deats. She hadn't been wrong. This town could use some new blood in it. But not spilled blood as was becoming too often the case since I'd rolled back through the city limits just one year ago.

  A knock on the back door pulled me from my thoughts, and I hustled into the kitchen to find Sundae waiting at the door with Ms. Lanier and her box of fireworks in tow.

  "Let's get going, girl. The bands are playing, and it'll be dark in a couple of hours. We've got to get our ducks in a line." Sundae was a woman of action.

  "I think you mean ducks in a row," Ms. Lanier offered.

  Sundae stared at her a moment and then headed down our back stairs and into her rattletrap car. We followed and soon we were rolling into the parking lot by City Hall.

  My car, Stella, waited for us. Along with a considerably smaller crowd than we'd seen earlier in the day. I guessed that the promise of free food and entertainment had won out over the former mayor's standoff.

  Devon stood nearby Dougie Mills, and the two men were locked in a stare down. Having experienced several of those with Devon myself, I knew who'd win this one. Dougie Mills didn't stand a chance.

  We approached carefully and quietly.

  "What are they doing?" Ms. Lanier whispered loudly.

  "I think they are comparing sizes," Sundae said.

  "Sizes of what?" Ms. Lanier said.

  I turned and glared at both of them and Sundae zipped her lips. Ms. Lanier opened her mouth as if she'd just figured out the answer to her own question but then caught my expression and decided to keep it to herself.

  "Evening ladies, did you come to bring me good news?" Dougie Mills broke eye contact with Devon and greeted us with a sly smile.

  But I caught a hint of fear and desperation brimming just above that politician's smile. I grimaced at the bad news I was about to impart on him.

  Devon looked at me, and I offered him a half smile. He knew what I was about to say.

  He took a step toward me and motioned me to follow him. We stepped to the side, and he leaned in for a private conversation.

  He smelled of blueberries. I leaned a little closer and sniffed. "Have you been eating Ms. Maimie's cobbler?"

  "What?" He seemed caught off guard. "Oh, yeah. She brought some by a bit ago." His voice sounded guilty.

  I scrunched my nose at him. I was jealous. And my stomach was rioting over the lack of free food that I'd been promised today.

  "Anyway, I don't know what's going to happen when I give him this news, but I need to get this over with. There's nothing else I can do," I told Devon, reluctantly.

  "Ty phoned just before you arrived, and he's on his way. He's bringing Mayor Wise with him," Devon supplied.

  "Why is he bringing him? I thought we were trying to keep this on the down low?" I asked.

  "Uh, there is no such thing in Millbrook—you know that." Devon raised his eyebrows at me.

  "Yeah. Yeah." I shrugged. "I just wish there was something I could do."

  "Maybe there is something I can do," a small timid voice sounded behind us.

  I turned to see Macy Deats standing on the curb, and she was holding an envelope in her hand.

  * * *

  "Wow, are you here to sign the approval?" A little surge of excitement coursed through me. Maybe all was not lost.

  "No, I'm afraid not," she said, looking down at her hands.

  "Here's Chief Dempsey and Mayor Wise now," Devon said.

  We turned to greet our newest arrivals. Mayor Wise was tall and slender. He wore tan slacks and a crisp white button-down shirt. He was deeply tanned, and his smile was million-dollar perfect. He was the walking talking epitome of political perfection. Or he was the devil. I wasn't quite sure which.

  He headed toward his predecessor at the base of the flagpole, and Ty headed our way.

  "Why did you bring him?" I blurted out.

  "I had to apprise him of the situation. I report to him, Mandy," Ty said in his official tone.

  "I know that, but I thought we were trying to just handle this quietly to get us through tonight." I couldn't stop myself from sounding a little peeved. I guess I felt a little self-pity at having missed out on my entire day's pay as well as the fun at the festival. At this rate, we'd be lucky to make an appearance.

  "He said he wanted to chat with Dougie. Apparently they worked together in the past, and he thought maybe he could offer some help." Ty shrugged.

  We turned to observe the two mayors and found them chatting.

  "Maybe," I said. Suddenly aware that maybe Mills had only wanted attention. Maybe if we'd brought in Mayor Wise earlier instead of sending me on a wild goose chase about town, this whole thing would have turned out differently.

  "I have something that could help," Macy said. We turned back to look at the mousy brown-haired woman who smiled sheepishly under the glare of Ty and Devon.

  She was blushing. I knew the feeling. These two hunks could make a nun blush, and this Macy Deats looked like she could easily be a candidate for the nunnery. With her small facial features and her tiny hands. She was dressed very conservatively in muted colors, and her voice was just as itty bitty as the rest of her.

  I was surprised that she'd come down here to follow up on the crisis at hand, and I was eager to find out what she held in that envelope.

  "I'll kill you!" the raging voice of Dougie Mills drew our attention back to the meeting of the mayors at the flagpole.

  Mayor Mills had stood up, his bottom half still wedged into the lawn chair and the chain snuggly fitting against both. He had his meaty arm wrapped around the neck of Mayor Wise, and his gun was pointed directly at his head.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  8:00 p.m.

  The few onlookers that remained let out gasps and one small screa
m. I noticed Penny, who'd been sitting on the hood of her SUV, jump down and snap a picture of the scene before us.

  Ty and Devon left us and cautiously made their way to the flagpole, their hands on their weapons.

  "Now, Dougie, take it easy," Ty said. His voice was all calm and in control.

  "Shut up. Just shut up. I will not take it easy. I want respect. I want my city back." Mayor Mills' voice was strained, and small bits of spittle left his mouth and flew into Mayor Wise's hair.

  I felt a little gaggy at the sight.

  "I'm sure we can work something out—chuhhh—" Mayor Wise's offer was choked off by Dougie's forearm being pressed against his voice box.

  Devon crept over to one side. He was barely moving, but I could see him trying to get to Mayor Mill's blind side.

  Ty stood in front, holding out one hand in an effort to keep the old mayor's attention focused on him.

  "I will not be cast aside by the very town that my family founded. I will be a part of Millbrook as Millbrook is a part of me," Mayor Mills' voice broke a little, and despite the seriousness of the situation at hand, I felt a little niggle of sorrow on his behalf.

  "Let's put the gun down now, Dougie, and we can all go in and sit down and chat about this," Ty reasoned.

  "Ha. Do you think I'm an idiot, Dempsey? Do you think I did all of this so we could talk? I want that council seat, and I want it now." He squeezed his arm tighter, and Mayor Wise made a gurgling sound.

  I jumped into action. "Mayor Mills, I have three of the four signatures," I called out as I walked up next to Ty who held out his arm to stop me from moving any closer.

  I extended my hand to show him the folder.

  The mayor cast his eyes on me. "Why just three? Where's the fourth?"

  "Uh, well…" I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to anger him into doing something tragic.

  "I wouldn't sign it." Macy Deats had stepped up beside me, and her voice was louder, stronger somehow.

  "What? Who are you?" Mills spat the words out and stared Macy down.

  "My name is Macy Deats, and I've been granted a seat on the council to finish out the term of my aunt, Verna Strength, who passed away last year." Her voice was firm and professional.

  I did a double take as I watched her transform from the timid mouse of only moments ago to a strong woman. This was a girl I could be friends with.

  Penny snapped another picture nearby, and I felt Ty tense a little beside me. This would be all over the news come morning.

  "I guess that's how you're running the city now, huh, Wise? You're giving council seats to people that are not even from Millbrook?" Mayor Mills was not impressed with Macy's credentials.

  "Mr. Mills, I do care about this community, and I plan to stay on with the council and seek re-election when this term is up. I want to take care of this city, and I know you feel the same way," Macy's voice seemed to reach something in him.

  He loosened his grip a little, and I could see Mayor Wise divert his eyes toward Devon. I was sure he was asking him permission to make a run for it. But Devon gave a slight headshake in the negative.

  "So, what do you propose then?" Dougie Mills sounded interested.

  "I have a letter here, signed by all the council members, including me. All we need is approval from Mayor Wise, and it will be official." Macy held the envelope out.

  Mayor Mills chuckled. "Uh, I'm a little busy right now. You'll have to read it to me."

  I took the envelope and opened it. I gave Macy a look, and she nodded.

  I read the letter silently to myself and then looked up to make eye contact with the mayor.

  "Well…?" he prompted, pushing the gun against the temple of Mayor Wise.

  "I think you should let him go first. He might be a tad more inclined to sign off on this if you're not holding a gun to his head." I knew I was playing with fire here, but I couldn't stop myself.

  I was tired of death and danger. This was a wonderful town with wonderful people. I didn't want to see anyone else hurt.

  "I think you should read me the letter, girlie," Dougie Mills' eyes seemed to light up with something just short of crazy.

  I swallowed. Ty gave me an elbow to the bicep.

  "Okay then, geez." I sniffled a little. The dang pollen was killing me. "The letter says…"

  And then a shot rang out.

  * * *

  Ty shoved me to the ground, and I took Macy with me. The sound of scuffling feet and grunts sounded above me. When I looked up, all I saw was Ty's back in front of Dougie Mills and Devon pulling Mayor Wise to the side.

  By the time I stood up and helped Macy to her feet, Dougie Mills was in cuffs and Ty was holding his gun and looking a little puzzled.

  Mayor Wise was looking no worse for the wear—save for a few wrinkles in his perfectly pressed shirt.

  "Sorry…sorry…" Ms. Lanier stepped out from behind Devon. All eyes turned her way. "I was just testing these old firecrackers to see if they would still light. Didn't mean to break up your little meeting."

  I squinted my eyes at her, and she winked at me.

  Ty threw his head back and stared up at the night sky as if begging the Lord above to give him strength.

  "So, he didn't fire his weapon? No one is hurt?" Macy confirmed the obvious.

  "No, it was a false alarm of the elderly kind," I said, trying hard to stifle a giggle. "Those happen a lot around here."

  She nodded as if she understood completely.

  "My gun wasn't even loaded," Dougie Mills was saying as Ty released him from his chain and lawn chair device.

  "I'm still going to have to arrest you," Ty said as he led the former mayor to his patrol car.

  "Hold on," Mayor Wise called out.

  We all turned to look at him.

  "I know that Dougie didn't go about this the right way, but I know this man, and I know he had good intentions," Mayor Wise spoke from the base of the flag pole as if he were addressing all his constituents instead of just the ragtag ten or so people who were still here.

  "We still have to hold him and see if the district attorney will press charges," Ty said, followed by a deep sigh.

  "Fine. Fine. And then I'll speak on his behalf. If he promises to get therapy—I think he needs a little counseling to help him deal with the grief of all that has happened to his family—I don't think he needs to serve jail time." Mayor Wise stepped in and patted Mills on the back.

  "Well, wonders never cease," Ms. Lanier said from behind me.

  Dougie Mills hung his head down. I wasn't sure if it was shame or appreciation or just plain exhaustion.

  "But what did the letter say?" Sundae asked as she stepped around the other side of Macy.

  Everyone turned to me, as I still held the letter. It was now dirty and crumpled, but I handed it to Ty, and he opened it and held it in front of Mills to read.

  The man shook his head, and I thought I saw the start of tears form in his eyes.

  "It says that the council would like to offer Douglas "Dougie" Mills the position of Director of the Chamber of Commerce. This position will allow him to interact with newcomers to the community and to share details of all the wonderful things that he loves about the city of Millbrook. Upon approval from the mayor, of course," I announced proudly.

  I gave Macy a little nudge with my elbow, and she nudged back.

  "Pending the legal issues and the therapy, I give my full support," Mayor Wise added.

  The two or three town onlookers clapped, and that was that.

  "Hey ya'll, Prentiss just called me from the festival," Sundae bellowed from behind me. "He said that someone told the governor about what was going on."

  Ty let out a groan. "Just what we were trying to avoid."

  "No, it's good news," Sundae said. "He got a whole truckload of fireworks delivered, and the show starts in just twenty minutes. Ain't that the cat's meow?"

  I laughed at Sundae's pure enthusiasm and her continued clichés. Apparently they'd been contagio
us today.

  Ty and Devon escorted Dougie Mills to the cruiser. Penny offered Mayor Wise a ride to the festival. Sundae jumped in her car, taking the last straggling town folks with her.

  Ms. Lanier, Macy, and I jumped in Stella, and we were rolling. I only hoped there would be food left.

  * * *

  As darkness fell on the Millbrook Summer Fest, the crowd's excited murmurs grew. The start of the long-awaited fireworks show was imminent.

  I sat in a small group on a giant-sized quilted throw provided by Ms. Maimie. Devon and I, Sundae and her new fella Officer Prentiss, Ms. Maimie, Ms. Lanier, Paget, Adam, and our new friend, Macy, were all there.

  Penny had decided to get some photos of the governor, and Ty was busy settling in Dougie Mills for the night. He'd offered to book him at the station himself—allowing his officers a chance to enjoy the show. That was one of the things I loved about Ty.

  Devon reached over and touched my cheek, and as I gazed into his crystal blue eyes, all thoughts of Ty and the day's events faded from my mind.

  He leaned in and kissed me. Soft lips. Warm breath. I saw fireworks.

  "All's well that ends well," Sundae said.

  And that was a cliché I could live with.

  * * *

  Recipe for Potato Chip Cookies

  1 cup butter, softened

  ½ cup sugar

  1-½ cups all-purpose flour

  1 tsp. vanilla extract

  ¾ cup finely crushed fresh potato chips

  In large mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar till fluffy. Gradually add flour and beat again till smooth. By hand, add vanilla and potato chips; mix well. Drop by small teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 325-degree oven 15-20 minutes, until light brown. Allow to cool. Yields about 5 dozen.

  * * * * *

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kerri Nelson survived a fifteen year career in the legal field and then took her passion for crime solving to the page. But her journey to become a mystery author took a decade long detour into the world of romance where she penned twenty two novels and novellas in various sub-genres.