Drawing Close: The Fourth Novel in the Rosemont Series by Barbara Hinske Page B

Westbury.
    She shook her head. It hadn’t been that long ago that
she was alone and dealing with the mess left by her philandering, embezzling
late husband. And now she was married to the love of her life, mayor of this
town, and living at Rosemont. Never discount the possibility of a happy
future, she thought.

Chapter 11
    Tonya Holmes picked up the
complimentary toothbrush and sample of floss that her dental hygienist supplied
after every cleaning. She pulled her phone out of her purse as she walked the
short distance to her car. There were three missed calls from Maggie.
    Tonya opened her car door, slung her purse onto
the passenger seat, and tapped the Call Back button.
    “Thank goodness!” Maggie said, answering on the
first ring.
    “I was at the dentist. What’s so urgent?” She
reached for the ignition, then stopped. Something told her to give this call
her full attention.
    “Delgado’s been arrested.”
    “What?” Tonya gasped. “When?”
    “This morning. About five minutes before my first
call to you. I wanted you to know before you got here. Town Hall is crawling
with reporters.”
    “I’ll bet it is.” Tonya leaned back against the
headrest. “About time we put that creep behind bars. When will you talk to the
press?”
    “We’ve scheduled a news conference today at three
in the lobby here at Town Hall. I’d like you to be there, and I need to fill
you in.”
    “On my way. Have you thought about who you’ll
appoint to fill Delgado’s seat while he’s awaiting trial?”
    “Haven’t gotten that far yet. We’ll need someone
that everyone in town knows and respects. They’ll have to be squeaky clean.”
    “Are you open for a suggestion?”
    “I’d be grateful. Who do you have in mind?”
    “The perfect candidate. And if you ask him, I’ll
bet he’ll say yes.”
    “I’m all ears.”
    “Tim Knudsen. Voted most respected Realtor in the
state the last six years.”
    ***
    Tim Knudsen pulled into the lot at
Town Hall shortly before noon. Maggie’s cryptic call an hour earlier intrigued
him. What urgent assistance did the Town of Westbury need from one of its
busiest Realtors?
    Maggie’s assistant rose from her desk as soon as
he entered the anteroom to the mayor’s office. “Mayor Martin and Council Member
Holmes have been waiting for you. I’ll take you right in,” she said as she
knocked lightly, then opened the door.
    “Ma’am, Mr. Knudsen is here to see you.”
    Maggie came around the side of her desk and
extended her hand. “Thanks for coming on such short notice. I know you had to juggle
your schedule.”
    “Good to see you, Tim,” Tonya said, offering the seat
next to her.
    “Happy to do anything to help, Maggie. You two know
that,” he said, taking a seat. “I’m beyond curious. What does the town need
from me? Are you planning to sell some of its property?”
    Maggie shook her head. “It’s much bigger than
that.” She took a deep breath and launched into her story.
    “So, you see, Chuck Delgado’s seat on the town
council is now vacant, and I’d like you to fill it. The mayor has the authority
to appoint a replacement, and I need someone on the council that is experienced,
well-respected in the community, and—most importantly—someone I can
trust.” She looked pointedly at him.
    “We think you’d make a strong addition to the
council,” Tonya added.
    “I don’t know. I’ve never aspired to political
office. I don’t know the first thing about it. You can do a lot better than
me.”
    “I disagree,” Maggie replied. “Your business
acumen and knowledge of the local real estate market will be invaluable as we
dig ourselves out of our current financial mess. And after the arrests of both
William Wheeler last year and now Council Member Delgado, the public perception
of local government is significantly tarnished. Your presence on the council
will restore credibility.”
    Tim dropped his gaze to his hands.
    Maggie scooted to the edge of her chair and