Coming to Rosemont (19 page)

Chapter 30

Sunday was a busy day for Alex’s
campaign as they circulated petitions at churches, real estate open houses, and
in front of the library. Sam and Joan swung by Rosemont in the late afternoon
with one hundred eighteen signatures. Tim arrived shortly after five with another
fifty-two. Beth called on her way over with seventy-one. Maggie ran a tape, and
the grand total came to 3,591 signatures.

“We’ve done it,” Alex announced to the small group
of supporters. “Well, you’ve done it. We’ve got a comfortable margin here. I’ll
definitely get my name on the ballot. I can’t thank you enough. You are the
best friends anyone could ever hope for.”

“We need to celebrate,” Marc said. “Let’s go get
dinner at Pete’s. My treat. I’ll call Tonya and John to see if they can join
us.”

Tonya couldn’t make it until dessert, but John was
already at Pete’s when they arrived. Pete ushered them into the private room
upstairs. They recapped the events of the past few weeks and congratulated each
other on bringing down the current administration. Pride and optimism marked
their conversations as they worked their way through dinner toward dessert.

When Tonya arrived, John signaled for quiet and
proposed a toast. “To our brave, hard-working elected officials, currently
serving and soon-to-be elected. We appreciate your commitment and integrity.
Godspeed as you meet the challenges before you. We’re proud of you.” John
raised his glass. “To Tonya and Alex.” The group followed suit and raised their
glasses, amid a chorus of “Hear, hear!”

Tonya rose. “To the best citizens one could hope
to represent, to our beloved Westbury, and to our next mayor, Alex Scanlon!”
Once more, the group raised their glasses.

The conversation turned serious when Tim asked
Alex about his campaign and the obstacles he anticipated. “We now need to get
the word out about the corruption at Town Hall and the need for new leadership.
There are still people out there who don’t know what’s been going on. And we
need to turn out the vote for me. We don’t want anyone to feel that they can’t
make a difference.”

Maggie added, “We’ll file the petitions with the
town clerk to-morrow. I’m going to get door hangers and mailers printed up
right away. Alex will begin speaking whenever and wherever he can. If he isn’t
available, I’ll speak on his behalf. The first ‘meet the candidate’ coffee at
Rosemont will be next Sunday afternoon.”

“What do you need help with?” Tim asked.

“We’ll need people to distribute the door hangers.
Talk with your neighbors and co-workers. Line up speaking engagements. Just let
me know when and where you’d like him to appear. I’ll keep the master calendar.
Can we count on all of you?”

“Absolutely,” Joan said as Tim and Beth nodded.
“We’re with you all the way,” Sam added.

John checked his watch and reluctantly pushed his
chair back. “I hate to break this up, but I have surgery at six in the
morning.”

“And we’ve all got a big day on the campaign trail
tomorrow.” Maggie observed. “Let’s get a good night’s sleep and get cracking
first thing.”

Chapter 31

The next seven weeks flew by in a
blur of activity. Everyone in attendance at Pete’s that night was as good as
his or her word. Literature was distributed. Signs were posted in every yard.
Alex was in and out of living rooms, church basements, school cafeterias, and
even parking lots every single night; meeting citizens, listening to their
concerns, and outlining solutions. He was even busier on the weekends. Maggie
acted as his stand-in and spoke almost as often as he did.

With the short campaign season, they didn’t want
to turn down any opportunity to reach voters, no matter how small. Maggie was
so busy that the hoped-for cozy evening with John didn’t materialize. They both
managed to get the all clear on their blood tests, which fueled their fire to
get together. They just couldn’t find the time. Instead, they texted during the
day and talked on the phone every night, usually in the wee hours, rehashing
the events of the day and the challenges ahead. John attended all of the Sunday
afternoon “meet the candidate” coffees at Rosemont. And through all of this,
Maggie managed to keep her consulting practice going and her clients happy. She
was at once exhausted by the constant rushing around and exhilarated by the
warm response she unfailingly received from everyone she addressed.

During one such busy Sunday afternoon, Frank
Haynes set out for the freeway, and instead of getting into the eastbound lane
that would take him home, he headed west. Like a stalker seeking his prey, he
was fixated on Rosemont. He accelerated as he entered the freeway and opened
his moon roof so that the air rushed pleasantly around his ears. A perverse
smile spread across his brittle lips. Maybe losing this election would sour her
on Westbury and prompt her to sell Rosemont.

Exhilarated, he settled comfortably into the
leather seat and tuned in to the business news. Before long, he was slipping
his car into his usual spot in the wide berm on the road below Rosemont; the
same spot where he had observed the carnival set-up. It afforded a good view of
most of the backyard and one side of Rosemont. He couldn’t see anyone in the
yard. Windows on the first floor were lit, but he couldn’t make out any detail
with his unaided eye. He reached into his glove box and retrieved the expensive
binoculars he bought recently from that insufferable salesclerk who actually believed
that he wanted them for bird watching.

The binoculars were excellent for his purpose. He
finally located a group of four people in what appeared to be a living room. He
recognized Maggie, Scanlon, and two other men he couldn’t identify. One of them
might have been that realtor, Knudsen, but he couldn’t be sure. Maggie was on
the move, pointing to a flipchart. One of the men rose to retrieve a stack of
papers. Try as he might, he couldn’t read anything on the flipchart.
They’re
working it, that’s for sure.
He silently cursed.
And working it hard.
This isn’t a whim on Scanlon’s part. He’s out to win this election. I need to
find out if they’re gaining ground on Isaac.

Haynes swung his car onto the roadway as he
punched a number on his speed dial. The recipient picked up right away. “I’ve
got another job for you,” Haynes barked before the other party could utter a
word.

***

The man slipped unobtrusively into
the back of the crowd as candidate Scanlon was introduced to the small group of
retired veterans assembled at the VFW hall. Scanlon presented a compelling
presentation of the suspected problems with the town’s finances and his
suggested solutions, highlighting his experience as a prosecutor. His words
were resonating with the crowd. Maggie Martin, looking satisfied with the
proceedings, was leaning against a wall near the front.

The question-and-answer session showed Scanlon to
be even more effective off-the-cuff. By the end, he was generating spontaneous
applause to almost every answer. The crowd was hooked on each word he said. No
doubt about it, Scanlon had charisma. His opponent may have seriously
underestimated Alex Scanlon. It looked like this election would be a real horse
race.

The man exited quietly. He wasn’t looking forward
to being the bearer of bad news to Frank Haynes, but it had to be done. He
pulled out his phone and dialed the familiar number.

***

Frank Haynes was, predictably, not
pleased with the report on candidate Scanlon’s successful outing at the VFW
Hall. This was supposed to be a cakewalk for Isaac. He was an incumbent, for
God’s sake. The last thing they needed was to have an ex-prosecutor in the
mayoral seat, poking into things.
Damn it!

He pushed his chair back abruptly from his desk
and began to pace. The VFW was just one appearance, but judging by the number
of Scanlon signs popping up in storefronts and on lawns all over town,
Scanlon’s campaign was gaining momentum. He raked his hands through his
well-manicured hair. They had to do something to stop him. Fast. And he
couldn’t look for help from Delgado and his goons. The fires were still being
investigated.

He’d already had Scanlon investigated for past
indiscretions and come up empty-handed. The guy was a saint. Haynes tore off
his tie and shoved it in his open briefcase. The idea hit him on his last lap
around his desk.
Get rid of Maggie Martin.
Or at least neutralize her.
Have Isaac meet with her like she had been pestering him to do since their
conversation at the restaurant. Listen to all of her questions and ideas.
Praise her for her insight and hard work. Flatter her by agreeing to appoint
her to Isaac’s open council seat when he was elected mayor. Convince her that
she could put her time and talents to good use for the town after the election
was over. They’d announce that she was part of their team to revitalize
Westbury.

Haynes settled back into his chair and breathed
deeply. It was a brilliant plan. When there was something in it for them,
people usually gave up their allegiances and threw in with their
self-interests. Hell, if she told Scanlon, he’d probably encourage her to take
them up on their offer. And she wouldn’t be able to work on his campaign anymore.
That might just slow Scanlon down enough to allow Isaac to win.

He rested his chin on steepled fingers. They wouldn’t
actually appoint her to the council, of course. They’d come up with some
plausible reason—most likely her short tenure in Westbury. And that might
tick her off enough to send her packing, with him waiting in the wings with a
low-ball offer for Rosemont. With a smirk plastered firmly on his lips, he
walked out to his secretary and directed her to get Russell Isaac on the phone.

***

Maggie absent-mindedly fidgeted
with the cap of the water bottle the clerk had given her while she waited for
Russell Isaac to finish up whatever business he was attending to down the hall.
She was in a windowless office in the back of his auto parts store. Maggie
turned anxiously as footsteps approached, only to be disappointed when they
passed on by. She had a million things to do and was fuming at the rudeness of
being called to this meeting and then kept waiting.
I ought to get up and
leave,
she thought—all the while knowing that she would do no such
thing. Maggie had been surprised when she received Isaac’s call inviting her to
meet with him. After all of her unreturned phone calls to him, she had given
up. And, now, here she was. Alex was probably right—Isaac had an ulterior
motive. Well, she would be ready for him. He wasn’t going to trap her into
revealing anything.

Her reverie was interrupted as Frank Haynes strode
into the room, hand outstretched and a smile arranged on his face. “Maggie, how
are you?” he said as she stood and they shook hands. “No, please—sit.
How’s that dog of yours?”

“She’s just fine, Frank. Thank you for asking. But
you didn’t invite me here to talk about dogs. Where’s Mayor Isaac?”

 “Some auto parts emergency. No doubt he’s
finishing up—in fact, that’s him coming down the hall now.”

“So sorry to keep you waiting, my dear,” Isaac
said as he entered the room. Maggie’s spine stiffened at his patronizing tone.
This time, she didn’t get up. Isaac turned to Haynes. “Hello, Frank.” He clumsily
made his way to the chair behind the desk.

Maggie remained silent and looked pointedly at
each man in turn.

Isaac cleared his throat. “I was sincere when I
told you a few weeks ago that I still represent you and want to know what your
concerns and issues are.” He paused and waited expectantly for her to respond.

Maggie simply smiled and shrugged. “You’ve heard
our platform; you should be very familiar with our issues by now.”

“Well, yes, on the surface. We wanted to invite
you here to share your concerns with us in depth.”

“Why thank you,” Maggie replied sweetly, “but I
really don’t have anything to add. Maybe you can tell me what you intend to do
about the rampant financial mismanagement that’s occurred on your watch?”

Isaac scowled and began turning his wedding ring
around on his finger.
He’s at a loss for words,
Maggie realized with
satisfaction.

Haynes interjected. “That’s all part of an ongoing
criminal investigation. We really can’t formulate any plans until that’s
completed,” he stated calmly. “But we have another, more important reason for inviting
you here today.” He looked at Isaac, who gestured for Haynes to continue.

“Your commitment to the community and knowledge of
the issues have not gone unnoticed. We’re all quite impressed with you.” He
paused and Isaac nodded in agreement. “When Russell is elected mayor—”

“
If
he’s elected mayor,” Maggie
interjected.

Haynes struggled to conceal his irritation as he
continued. “We’d like to appoint you to fill his council seat. You’d be a great
asset to this town.”

A hardness set in around Maggie’s eyes. These
pompous fools thought she would be so flattered that she would jump at their offer—would
leave Alex and his campaign in the dust.
Probably because that’s what they
would do in the same situation,
she surmised.

She leaned forward in her chair and paused until
Isaac quit fiddling with his ring and Haynes was staring at her. “Hear this,
gentlemen. Under no circumstances would I entertain such an offer. I am not a
politician and don’t aspire to political office. And more importantly, your
bringing me in here now and making this offer is most inappropriate. You’re
trying to bribe me to leave Alex’s campaign. That’s despicable.”

Isaac’s face reddened and his nostrils flared.
“Watch yourself,” he sputtered. Before he could continue, Haynes interrupted.
“That’s not what we meant, Maggie. You misunderstood. You can continue to work
on Alex’s campaign if that’s what you want to do. We just hope you will
consider joining us on the town council if Russell’s spot opens up. That’s all
we meant. Don’t go misconstruing this.”

“I know what you intended.” She straightened her
shoulders and rose deliberately, turning to face them.
My refusal has caught
them completely off guard,
she realized. Sensing an advantage, she pressed
on. “While I’m here, why don’t we schedule that candidate’s debate we’ve been
requesting? I really don’t think you can refuse me now.” Maggie fixed them with
a steely stare.

“Of course. We’ve been meaning to get back to you;
we’ve had trouble finding a venue.” Haynes’ tone was conciliatory.

“I’ve reserved Haynes Gymnasium for the Thursday
night before the election,” Maggie replied, and was pleased to note the tick by
Haynes’ right eye. “We’re set; I’ll alert the press. See you both then.”

***

Frank Haynes pulled into the lot
behind the liquor store and got wearily out of his car. God, he was sick of
these meetings in the middle of the night.
When this is over, I’ll never get
involved with these bottom-feeders again. If this is ever over.
He took a
deep breath and steadied himself. He knew it would do no good to unleash his
fury on this drunken fool. He waited for the familiar buzz, mounted the steps,
and slowly entered Delgado’s office.

“How ya doin’, Frankie boy?” Delgado slurred.

“I’m in better shape than you are, Chuck. That’s
obvious.”

“Depends on your point of view, there, Frankie.
Have a drink,” he said as he slid the open bottle across the desk toward
Haynes. “Do you good to lighten up.”

“I’m not feeling too lighthearted these days.
Neither should you. Did Isaac tell you about the mess he made trying to offer
that Martin bitch his council seat if he wins?”

“He said she didn’t want it, yeah. That broad’s
not important. Quit getting yourself all bunched up over her. We’re still going
to win the election.”

“How do you figure that? Scanlon’s got all the
momentum. If Isaac doesn’t clean up at the debate, we’re finished. Of all the
people we don’t want as mayor, Scanlon is at the top of the list.”

“The debate won’t matter much, Frankie. I’ve got
plans for Scanlon if it goes bad. We’re all set.”

“Like the fires? Some cockamamie plan like that?”
Haynes spat. His jaw tightened and he clenched his right fist. “What is wrong
with you guys? We’re all under the microscope here. There’s no room for error.
Not anymore.”

“Know what your problem is, Frankie? You got no
balls. Get the hell outta here and let me get back to work,” Delgado said as he
reached for his bottle.

“Don’t screw this up, Delgado. I’m warning you,”
Haynes seethed. He tripped and caught himself, cursing, as he stormed down the
stairs.

***

When set up theater-style, Haynes
Gymnasium held six hundred. Reporters from papers all over the state were
present, as were two television crews. The scandal of the mayor’s resignation
in the wake of his corruption indictment focused more attention on the election
of this small-town mayor than would normally be warranted. The gym was filled
to capacity thirty minutes before the scheduled start of the debate.