Night Swimming by Laura Moore

buttoning his double-breasted suit. “Mayor McDermott, if you please, I’d like it duly noted that not all the members of this committee agree on this point. Dr. Lesnesky’s study was essentially complete. None of his tests revealed the presence of anything harmful to humans or to marine life in the water. Nor were there any other signs that our reef was diseased. None whatsoever, ” he repeated, glancing around the room to make sure everyone had heard. “Personally, as a tax paying member of this community, I remain unconvinced the town’s dollars are being spent wisely in continuing this study, especially when so many other projects deserve funding, yet remain on hold. For example, it troubles me deeply that an accident occurred this very morning on the Bellemer Bridge. A bridge that many council members, myself included, have argued is unsafe and have repeatedly petitioned the town to widen.”
    “Thank you.” Sean inclined his head. “Your input has been duly noted, Mr. Ferrucci, but as you may recall, the coral reef advisory panel outvoted you,” he said, his tone dry. “The decision was made to finish the present study, and allay any lingering concerns about the reef’s present condition.”
    “Yes, but at what cost to our town? Why continue a study like this when we already have more than sufficient data? Why throw money away needlessly? Shouldn’t we be using that money to improve our town in ways that matter ? What’s more important, really? The Bellemer Bridge—”
    “May I remind you, Mr. Ferrucci,” Sean interrupted smoothly, “that this is a meeting for the coral reef study? I will, of course, be delighted to debate the issue of the Bellemer Bridge with you at the next town council meeting. It’s been scheduled for tomorrow, at six o’clock, I believe. Is that right, Ms. Roemer?”
    His secretary nodded, without bothering to look up from the pad she was filling with her rapid shorthand.
    “Before I return to the topic at hand, that is, the coral reef study,” Sean stressed deliberately, inviting muffled laughter, “I should mention the following, in the hopes it will ease certain members’ fears about exceeding the dollar amount we’ve allocated for the reef project. The Marine Center has generously offered to waive its fees and finish the reef study at no additional cost to the town.”
    An audible murmur of approval swept the room. One thing was clear, Lily thought—noting the ease with which Sean conducted the meeting—her childhood nemesis had evolved into the quintessential politician. Though it irked her to admit it, he was good. He presented a thoroughly convincing image of a caring, concerned politician . . . an extremely savvy politician. Right now, the other committee members—with the exception of Pete Ferrucci—all had big smiles on their faces, thrilled with Mayor McDermott’s announcement that the town wouldn’t have to spend a penny to continue the reef study.
    If Lily hadn’t spent the first eighteen years of her life watching Sean McDermott con the world with his charm, she, too, might have bought his smoothly delivered words—but she had. And because of her work as a marine biologist, Lily was doubly skeptical; years observing politicians use environmental issues to suit their own agenda had left her distrustful.
    The issues surrounding the coral reef were a capsule version of an increasingly familiar story heard the world over—not just in tropical seaside communities.
    A spectacular, natural environment became a town’s golden goose, attracting people from near and far. Soon, tourist-oriented businesses sprang up, first and second homes were built, jobs created, all dependent upon the natural beauty of the surroundings. But inevitably the day came when the environment could no longer support the overwhelming toll humans placed on it. What had started out as a wondrous golden goose began to look more like a mangy chicken.
    Yet even then, people refused to