Room for Murder - Tim Myers [52]
“I’m kind of partial to a particular landmark out there myself,” Alex said with a smile.
“That’s right, the other Hatteras Lighthouse is out that way. There’s something else occupying my thoughts, though,” the mayor said.
“Is the open road calling your name?” Alex asked lightly.
“Yep, that must be it. What can I do for you, Alex?”
Alex wasn’t certain he wanted to talk about his concerns on Main Street. “Do you have a minute? You could walk me back to my truck.”
Grady glanced at his watch, then said, “I’ve got just that. Is it important?”
Alex nodded, but held his tongue until they were back at his pickup. Somehow it seemed easier for men to talk with their feet on the back bumper of a pickup truck, their gaze locked ahead and not on each other.
Alex said, “I need to talk to you about Conner Shook.”
The mayor said, “I’m keeping out of this election, Alex. I made a promise, and I’m sticking to it.”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about. I heard you had a pretty lively conversation with Conner the other day out my way.”
The mayor’s breath sharpened. “What did you hear?”
“Relax, Grady. I just hope you didn’t agree to anything, since it sounded like Conner was pressuring you pretty hard.”
Grady pulled his foot off the bumper and said, “You know what, Alex? That’s one of the things I’m not going to miss about Elkton Falls. The compulsion this town has for knowing everybody else’s business just isn’t healthy.”
“It’s a part of living in a small town, you should know that better than anybody else. So is that what happened? Was Conner pushing you for an endorsement?”
The mayor nodded slowly. “I turned him down, just like I did the first dozen times he asked me. But the man’s persistent, I’ve got to give him that.”
“Don’t give in, Grady. You don’t want to be painted with the same brush as Conner just as you’re leaving us.
Stay out of the election, just like you promised you would.”
Grady looked sharply at him. “Is that a threat, Alex?”
He was honestly startled by the accusation. “Of course not. I just think we should all keep out of it and let the voters decide.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” Grady said.
Alex admitted, “I haven’t made it a secret that I’m backing Tracy, but then again, I don’t have any pull around here.”
Grady said, “Don’t sell yourself short. Either one of them would be nervous if you ever decided to run against them.”
Alex tried to laugh it off. “I’ve got something to run as it is, and Hatteras West takes every minute I’ve got.”
Grady’s expression softened. “Listen, I’m sorry I snapped at you. I just wish it were all over so I could start my retirement.”
Alex said, “It won’t be long now. The election’s just around the corner.”
“It can’t get here fast enough for me, Alex.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m really running behind, I need to scat.”
“Stand firm, Grady,” Alex said as the mayor rushed off.
Grady Hatch stuck one thumb up in the air as he hurried away. Alex considered telling Shantara what Conner was up to, but truly, there was nothing any of them could do about it if Grady caved in at the last minute and gave Conner his endorsement. The only purpose it would serve would be to put Tracy under even more stress than she already was.
No, that was one item of gossip he was going to keep to himself.
Alex was pulling out when Shantara flagged him down.
He put the truck in park and rolled down his window. “What’s up, did that soap come in while I was gone?”
She waved a sheet of paper at him, folded neatly in half. “Not hardly. This fax just came in for a couple staying out at the inn, the Joneses. I was told to keep it here for them to pick up, but since you’re heading back out that way, it will save them a trip.” Shantara’s General Store was so much more than just a mercantile. She had a post office in one corner, sold crafts in another, and had just opened a copy center/office services feature in a back storeroom that had long ago held cattle and