Cheep Shot Murder (Pet Shop Cozy Mysteries Book 11)
Page 7
Someday soon we’ll get decent outdoor furniture, but that’ll have to wait until the insurance money comes through. In the meantime, we had to replace most of our indoor furniture and a lot of belongings. The only things really salvageable from the fire were the contents of our bedroom and, fortunately, the stuff that Sarah had already packed up and stowed in the garage.
And sure, we had to spend a week in a motel with our three beasts, but Karen came through and managed to get the closing date pushed up eight days to get us in the new house faster. And yeah, my credit card statement is going to be painful to look at later this month, but the fire marshal definitively ruled it an arson, so that should expedite things a bit.
Like Sturgess said, I was right about almost everything. When presented with the evidence of arson, Aaron Sutherland broke down sobbing and admitted to setting fire to our rented house by blowing out the pilot light in the oven, turning on the gas and lighting a candle. The Blumbergs refused to admit to anything and, as far as I know, are still seeking a plea of not guilty, but they’ll have a very difficult time explaining all the bones dug up in their garden.
Sturgess is still being stubborn as well, even after hearing the half-confession that I recorded in his office. First he tried to claim that it was illegal to record someone without their knowledge, but technically I’m an officer of the state, so that wouldn’t fly. It was actually Kyle Morse that put the nail in his coffin; only two days ago, Morse turned himself in for being an accessory to his father’s murder. Apparently he had orchestrated the meeting between Logan and Sturgess at the Runside, where Sturgess had walloped his friend over the head with a jack handle.
Patty spent a few days interrogating various community members, including Sylvia Garner and Joe Miller, to find out just how far their involvement went, but it seems that the real culprits were limited to those five. A handful of other people suspected what had happened, but said nothing. With no real culpability, Patty let them slide—albeit with a very stern warning that this was over.
I’d say “all’s well that ends well,” but with people dead and almost a half-dozen arrests, there’s really nothing well about it, other than knowing that it’s done and we can all look toward the future now.
“Oh!” Sarah says suddenly. “What time is it? We have to get to the meeting soon!”
I groan. “Do we have to? It’s so nice out. Can’t we fake our deaths or something?”
Sarah laughs. “Maybe next month. It’s Mr. Casey’s first public address; we need to be there to support him.”
“Fine.” I let out an exaggerated grunt of effort as I get up, just so she’s aware of how little I want to go to another town council meeting.
***
Sarah takes her place on the dais beside Mr. Casey and Holly as I find a seat next to Sammy and Karen, who no doubt came together. And you know what? That’s fine. They’re adults. They can do as they please.
Dennis comes in, wearing his usual black beanie, and takes a seat beside me. “Hey,” he whispers. “The new issue of Bill Mulligan will be out in a few days.”
I can’t help but grin. “Glad to hear it, Dennis. I can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with.”
In minutes, the assembly chamber is standing-room only, and Holly calls the meeting to order. I’m learning an awful lot about local politics lately. For example, I didn’t know that according to the Seaview Rock town charter, if a mayor is incapacitated, dies, or otherwise cannot perform his duties (like if he’s arrested and charged with murder) it’s up to the current council to appoint an interim mayor to carry out the remainder of his term.
You would think that would be a lengthy process and a careful deliberation, but Holly and Sarah immediately knew who to choose, and they chose Barton Casey.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and the review of last month’s minutes, Sarah introduces Mr. Casey—sorry, Mayor Casey—and invites him to say a few words. A silence so profound that I can hear my own heartbeat falls over the assembly hall as Casey stands.
“You know,” he begins, “I’m not a politician. But I’ve accepted this responsibility, and I’m going to carry it out to the best of my ability for the next year and three months. I’m also going to remain on the council, in order to ensure that these two branches of our local government work together in a way that serves the town’s best interests.
“I’m not a politician, but maybe that’s not what we need right now. I’m not going to talk in circles; I’m not going to ingratiate myself to anyone; I’m not going to make any promises that we can’t keep. Most importantly, I’m going to be honest. And I’m going to start right now.
“What’s been happening in Seaview Rock over the last… decades, really, have been scandals and secrets and borderline conspiracies. All that, everything, ends now. Changes are coming to this little town, and they’re going to be the changes we need. If you don’t like it, then leave. These changes are about what’s best for everyone, not to service a few.
“To prove our point, me and the other members of council have agreed that the first thing we’re going to do with our newfound control is… well, we’re going to relinquish control. Tonight we’ll be introducing a proposition that will allow all Seaview Rock residents to have a voice. Anything we want to pass will be published beforehand on the town’s website, and it will be put to a vote by everyone present at the next meeting.” He looks around at the packed room and adds, “Obviously, that means we’re going to need to expand this hall a bit.”
A few people chuckle at that. Of course I already knew about all this, but still I nod approvingly along with dozens of other people around me, some murmuring their assent and smiling at the notion.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Mayor Casey says. “I’m not going to use that ridiculous mayoral office. If you want to find me, I’ll be at my cramped little desk at Sockets & Sprockets, pecking away at that confounded keyboard. Thank you.” He turns to Holly and Sarah and says, “Thank you.” Lastly, he turns and looks directly at me, smiles a little, and says, “Thank you.”
The entire assembly hall stands and delivers a rousing round of applause as he takes his seat again. Looks like things are going to be different now, and maybe it was a bumpy road to get there, but I think Seaview Rock will be okay.
You know what? I’m just going to say it anyway. All’s well that ends well.
THE END