Gator Aide by Jessica Speart Page B

next likely mayor of our town and one of our most prominent citizens.”
    Hillard casually began to stroke my hand as though I were a high-strung filly in need of some calming down.
    “Well, it’s about time ol’ Hickok did something right. Welcome to New Orleans, honey.”
    He gave my hand one last squeeze before I pulled free of his grasp. I tried to imagine kinky sex involving Hillard, Valerie, and Hook, but my mind drew a blank as the man’s eyes moved up and down my body, busy calculating my weight, height, and measurements.
    “If there’s anything I can do to make your adjustment to our city any easier, darlin’, ya just holler, and I’ll do my darndest to help ya out.”
    A movement drew my attention to the bay window overlooking the garden out back. Heavy burgundy drapes framed the view much like a stage curtain, and the bright afternoon sun flared into my eyes. Squinting against the glare, I saw a man’s dark silhouette slide out from behind the bulky material and realized someone had been standing there all along. Hillard took the opportunity to grab my hand once again as he followed my gaze.
    “Well, excuse my backward manners. Gunter is so damn quiet sometimes I forget he’s even around. I want y’all to meet my advisor on foreign affairs. This here is Gunter Schuess.”
    Tall and slim, with white-blond hair cut straight across the top like coarse bristles on a brush, Gunter glided toward us with liquid grace. He was dressed elegantly in black, his skin stark white in contrast. High cheekbones jutted up like precarious cliffs. His watery blue eyes flickered over me, then dismissed me quickly as if I were of little consequence. The slightest trace of a smile touched his lips, but no glimpse of humor was to be found in his eyes. Though his grip was light as he took hold of my hand, I was left with the impression that he could easily have crushed every bone in my body. Cold and dry to the touch, his skin reminded me of Hook. I held back a shiver as I let go. Schuess then faced Santou and nodded without offering his hand.
    Jake broke the tension, turning to Hillard, who watched the proceedings with amusement.
    “Why, Hillard, what are you needing an advisor on foreign affairs for? You haven’t even been elected mayor yet, let alone president. I thought that was another four years down the road for you.”
    Hillard looked pleased, as if the thought was one he’d already contemplated. Gunter quickly intervened, his voice as smooth and carefully modulated as his manner.
    “In this day and age of global communications, it is to every politician’s benefit to have as many contacts as possible outside his own realm. In Mr. Williams’s case, when he is mayor I will take on the task of bringing European business into the New Orleans area. There is a minor problem with unemployment here at the moment, is that not so? Presenting a global platform will attract foreign business and help to alleviate the situation. It is a very farsighted solution to the problem here, and one that is sure to win Mr. Williams the election.”
    Gunter’s strong German accent added an underlying edge to the words, giving the speech a hypnotic effect.
    Turning toward me, Hillard took my hand once again.
    “Did ya know I’m runnin’ for mayor, sugar? Lord knows, I’m just a coonass country boy, but we got problems here, darlin’, that need fixin’ fast. I don’t mean to scare you none, but New Orleans is like one of those big ol’ oil tankers that’s hit a reef and is sinking like a rock. Why, industry’s leavin’ here in droves, and our river port is just a lazy coon dog out in the noonday sun. All we got growin’ here is people who’d rather collect welfare than work, and our murder rate’s worse than where you come from. You be careful when you go out at night, you hear me, honey? I’m tellin’ you the Lord’s honest truth. You’ll be robbed and raped and wonder what happened. And you stay away from that Bourbon