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Kate moved her finger down the agenda for next Monday’s city council meeting. Nothing stood out—the same general topics the alderman discussed every two weeks. She tapped her finger on the seventh item. “Ah. Newest member of annexation-of-the-month club.”
Mayor Kenneth Holt’s admin assistant shrugged. “Job security. And at my age, I need it.”
“Come on, Laura. You know this place would fold without you. Besides, if I remember correctly, you turned forty-seven last year. That’s not so old.”
The woman tucked an errant brown strand into the otherwise neatly packaged bun on top of her head. “Spoken like a true politician, and, I might add, an above average reporter.”
“Thanks. My goal in life is to be above average.”
“You know what I mean.”
Kate bowed her head in mock modesty. “You’re right about job security. Branson’s growth pays the bills, for sure.”
Laura leaned forward, resting forearms on the counter separating the administrative offices from the cavernous lobby. “And the city expects it to be a record year for building permits and rezoning applications. We haven’t had an accurate city limits map in two years. We need more room for all the paperwork and additional staff. I swear it hasn’t been this crazy since the city annexed everything on West 76.”
Kate folded the agenda and filed it in the to-be-studied compartment of her portfolio. “Definitely bizarre but I love it.”
“Speaking of bizarre.” The woman nodded toward the building department office across the way. “There’s an unlikely pair.”
Kate’s initial heart-skipping reaction upon seeing her newly reinstated boyfriend gave way quickly to her reporter’s curiosity. “Wonder what Tom’s doing with Bryan Porter,” she said, not expecting an answer.
Laura leaned forward and whispered, “I’d wager it has something to do with yesterday’s city council luncheon.”
An edge of white outlined Porter’s well-groomed auburn hair from the temples to behind the ears. Probably in his late fifties, his sunbaked face added years to his age. Tom, who at six foot two stood more than a head taller, placed a hand on Porter’s shoulder. The older man shook his head, making gestures with both hands as he spoke, his voice low, his words inaudible.
“What happened?” Kate asked.
“Interrupted the session. Got in a squabble with Councilman Allen.”
“He’s been working toward a face-to-face confrontation for a while. I bet the youngest alderman was suitably embarrassed.”
“Are you kidding? Allen’s not one who likes public humiliation, even in small groups.”
“I’ve noticed. Did they argue?”
“I’m not sure, but it was definitely loud. At least according to someone who attended. Allen responded to Porter in a way that ...”
“Spill it, Laura. You have to know more.”
Laura straightened her back. “I’ve already said enough. City administrator’s getting real uptight about the media, especially a certain noteworthy member of the press. You know, with everything that’s going on.”
Kate crinkled her brow. “Audit a headache?” she said, taking a guess at everything.
“Unfortunately, I’m three requests behind already.”
“What a drag. Take up a lot of your time?”
“Mine and the entire ...” Laura squinted and shook her head. She pursed her lips and turned an invisible key.
“Okay. Maybe I should speak to the mayor about it.”
“Won’t be in today.”
“How about Mark Orchard? Is the esteemed city administrator available?”
“Not to discuss what you want to discuss.”
“Okay, I get it. Audit is off-limits. What about the city’s own up-coming project?”
Kate knew she’d hit a chord when Laura’s eyes glazed over. The reporter held her breath hoping for a deep dark secret. Instead, the other woman made the invisible key motion again.
“Come on, give a hungry reporter a break. I need to know the status of the project as of today. You can put that in one simple sentence.”
“It’s on track.”
“You mean the plans for construction are on schedule?”
“You said one sentence.”
“True, but I want to be accurate. The more specific, the more accurately I can report.”
“You can’t report this until the city makes an official announcement.”
Kate knew the administrative assistant’s position in city government exposed her to a great deal of information. But Laura had never provided Kate with more than rumors—albeit juicy ones. Goodness knows the lunch with Claire was a bust—the relatively new employee either knew very little or was terrified to say something and get herself fired. Prying more from Laura would require a bit of a push.
“Hopefully they’ll release something before the ground-breaking ceremony,” Kate said.
“I’m sure something will be published before they tear up the parking lot.”
“What parking lot?”
Laura shook her head. “You’re fishing.”
“I meant which parking lot will be done first?”
“Adams Street. But that’s all I’m saying. Now go away.”
Kate crossed the room slowly, pretending to check her calendar as Tom and Bryan shook hands. She was close enough to see the anger in Porter’s face and overhear the official warning.
Tom stared into Porter’s eyes and said, “Give it some thought. Stay away from Allen, for your own good. You can get in a lot of trouble making accusations about someone, especially if you have no proof. ”
Without a word, Porter turned and walked to the exit doors. He hesitated one moment then left the building.
“What was that all about?” Kate asked.
Tom wheeled around and replaced his frown with his familiar grin. “Hey, Katie. Saw you talking to Laura. What’s up?”
“I asked you first,” she said, checking out his police uniform.
“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”
“I didn’t know you were friends with Bryan Porter.”
“That was more like an official conversation. Call it a warning.”
Kate shrugged as if disinterested and changed the subject. “What’s with the uniform?”
“I’m testifying on a case this morning. Prosecutor suggested my official attire might lend an air of credibility, whatever that means.”
He stepped back as if to give her a better view. “What do you think?”
Credible maybe, definitely alluring. And the touch of gray in his dark brown waves gives him an air of maturity, which will probably come in handy for a thirty-four-year-old detective sergeant.
Tom persisted, “Will I convince the judge?”
“The judge will be impressed, believe me. Anyway, Laura and I were chatting about the big new construction project the city is about to announce.”
“But Laura didn’t give you any details, so you’re pumping me.”
“More like I’m curious”
“As far as I know the city project is a simple city hall expansion. Apparently, we have out-grown the building. Even I know about it, but the mayor prefers to control the publicity.”
“Maybe something else is going on you don’t know about,” she said.
“I’ll let you know when I get the next tidbit. I’m sure I’m on the need-to-know list.”
Kate frowned at his sarcasm and moved on to the next topic. “Laura also told me about Porter’s recent altercation with Larry Allen. Was that what you two were discussing? Does he have something against the councilman?”
“You mean, is it newsworthy?”
Kate took a deep breath. “Allen is a public official. We have a right to know about any grievances.”
“In my opinion ... and this is not for publication ... Bryan has some serious anger issues.”
“Etta said he’s always been angry.”
“Always?”
“He worked at her mercantile when he was a kid. She’s known him all his life.”
“Amazing.”
“Which part?” Kate asked.
“That you know these things. You never cease to surprise me with some obtuse fact about this town or the people in it or how they all fit together.”
“I ask questions for a living, remember?”
“Sometimes that slips my mind. But since you brought it up, I’d like to ask you a question about the day Sid and I saw you at Etta’s. Bryan Porter drove away as we arrived.”
“Wow, this is a switch. Usually, I’m the one digging for info.”
“I’m not digging, I’m curious.”
“Must be something in the air.”
“So, do you know why Bryan visited Etta?”
“Since we are old friends, I’ll tell you what I know. When I got there Bryan and Etta were arguing. He was shouting at her, but I was too far away to distinguish their words. He left before I could ask him any questions.”
“But I bet you discussed his visit with Etta.”
“I’m beginning to see how my interviewing techniques must annoy people.”
“You forget, I’m a detective. I ask questions for a living too.”
“Sometimes that slips my mind,” she said with a smile. “Apparently Etta has some proof Bryan needs. He thinks that she owes him. It has something to do with why his father left the business they all ran. But she says she can’t help him.”
Tom stared ahead, not at Kate but through her. He seemed to be digesting what she told him, seeing how the data fit with other information he possessed.
“Where did you go?” she asked.
“Sorry, my mind wandered.”
“Care to share?”
“I have to get to the courtroom,” he said, turning to leave.
Kate said, “Don’t forget dinner Saturday at my house six o’clock.”
***
THE DRIVE TO THE COUNTY seat seemed unusually long. Kate had time to mull over both the lakefront and the skeleton issues. Unfortunately, neither story would pass Helen’s inevitable fact-check-and-substance test. Even Kate would be hard pressed to draw any logical conclusions at this point. Hopefully Evan’s update was not a tease to lure her to Forsyth.
She took her place behind two other customers, but Evan motioned for her to go to the far end of the counter where he handed her a manila envelope.
“Here are the pages you asked for,” he said aloud before lowering his voice to a whisper. “These transfers will interest you.”
Kate pulled out the sheets and glanced over the first pages of two recently recorded deeds. Both properties were in the lakefront residential area. Each now belonged to the same individual. The name seemed familiar, but it was not the company or either corporate agent. She hesitated to get too excited. Marge would know the significance of Evan’s observation.
“Thanks, Evan. I appreciate your doing this for me. How much for the copies?”
“You prepaid. Remember?” he said with a wink. “I hope they help with your research.”
“Time will tell.”
Evan seemed pleased with himself. He blushed as he returned to his position at the counter. “I’ll call you when the next batch is ready.”
“I appreciate your help.” She said sweetly and waved goodbye, deciding not to dwell on what Evan was hoping to get for his services. Perhaps he’s a bit of an armchair detective himself and in it for the excitement.
Kate called Marge from her car phone to find out if the visit was worth her time.
“Margie, this is Kate. Who is Harold Wainright?”
“I’m not sure. What’s he done?”
“Can I meet you at your office in about twenty minutes?”
“I’ll be here. And I’ll see what I can find out about Mr. Wainright.”
Kate was beginning to enjoy this teamwork thing. Maybe Helen had the right idea. Having someone else’s perspective and resources was refreshing, plus neither Evan nor her father’s girlfriend would ask for a shared byline.
Marge met Kate at the entrance and started talking before they got settled at her desk. “I had to make several calls to find out about Harold Wainright. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. He retired from some big company in Chicago and moved to the area about a year ago. Lives with his wife in a spectacular house on Table Rock Lake. I remember the listing. No one who contacted me had that kind of money, but I went out there for a gander. Great view, built about fifteen years ago.”
“And so?” Kate interrupted.
“Just the facts, right?”
“Please.”
“He closed on two rentals and has contracts on at least two others, all along the downtown lakefront.”
“Interesting.”
“Yes and no.”
“Go ahead. Take the air out of my sail.”
“First, it’s not that unusual for rentals to change hands. These four properties were owned by four individuals. Rentals are hard, even for professionals. Second, these four houses are old and small. Consequently, the asking prices were low. And, by the way, all of them were listed well-before Mr. Wainright arrived in Branson. The owners were eager to sell. The locations are probably coincidental.”
“Do you have notes?” Kate asked, trying—unsuccessfully—to hide her disappointment.
“Already made you a copy.”