Liza has done that to me. Made me into a different version of myself. But how much of it is the real me? I’m beginning to suspect the man I am when I’m with her–that’s the real me. She makes me better in ways I never imagined.
Clipping the end of the strand onto the edge of the gutter, I lean back and admire my handiwork. The whole house should be nice and bright, though it won’t take away from Liza’s house next door. Her lights are multicolored and extra festive. Mine are a warm white that will complement her house perfectly. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.
I climb down the ladder and stow it in the shed behind my house. Once I get to the front, I sort out the extension cords, then plug them in. The house lights up, sending a warm glow through the chilly air. I’ve been working at it all afternoon, so I’m pretty proud of myself.
My phone vibrates, which dampens my mood immediately. I know who it is before I answer.
“What?”
“Where is the dirt I ordered?” Mayor McGovern snaps. “You’ve been there plenty long enough to have what I’m after.”
“I already told you I’ve found absolutely nothing to indicate Snow Hills is cheating.” I sigh. I’m getting tired of this blowhard.
“You need to keep digging.”
“I am. I’ve spoken with half the town, and no one even knows who’s on the Spirit of the Season committee.”
“That’s bullshit!”
I grit my teeth. “I think you need to accept that you’re beaten, Mayor. The past three years, you’ve lost fair and square. There’s no evidence of anything underhanded going on here. If there was, I would’ve sniffed it out. Like knows like, after all.”
He bellows something unintelligible, and then I hear the sound of something crashing.
I don’t know if the easy money is worth his bullshit anymore. It’s not like I’m hurting for cash. I just always like to have more of it. But this asshole is wearing me out with his tantrums.
“Calm the fuck down.” I stomp up to my porch and sit down as one of the townspeople drives by and waves. I wave back.
“I’m calm!” He huffs and puffs a few times, then clears his throat. “I’m calm.”
“I did the job. I didn’t find any dirt. I expect the rest of my payment wired into my account by the morning.”
“Wait!”
“Mayor, I don’t want to go into detail about what will happen if you don’t come through on your end of the deal.”
“I’ll send you the money,” he says quickly. “But I’ll pay double if you do one more thing for me.”
That perks me up. I was already overcharging this bozo. Double would be a king’s ransom. “What thing?”
“You’re part of the town now, right? They trust you. That means you’re in the perfect position to do a little work to ensure Winter Heights takes home the trophy this year.”
I narrow my eyes. “What kind of work?”
“Nothing big, of course. Nothing that would draw attention. But I hear they’re putting on some sort of a bachelorette auction in a few days. They want to donate the money they raise to charity to make themselves look like they give a damn about anything other than winning the cup, though of course I know it’s all a sham.”
“Of course.” I roll my eyes.
“All you need to do is take the money they raise.”
“I don’t think stealing charity money is going to be the win you think it is, Mayor.”
“You wouldn’t be keeping it. After you took it, you could plant it at Mayor Grable’s house, then take some incriminating photos. I can tell you the Winter Heights Gazette would be more than happy to break that story of town embezzlement wide open, and there’s no way the Spirit of the Season committee could ignore it.”
I glance at Liza’s house. She’s home now, her front curtains lit from the TV inside. Double the money is a lot. More than enough for me to spirit her off to an island paradise for a month to keep her away from this dirty business. Her mother’s a grown woman who can handle herself. Liza doesn’t need to be involved.
I’m fully aware that I’m lying to myself. This scandal would ruin Liza’s mother and hurt Liza in the process. I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Well?” he asks.
“Can’t do it.”
“What? Why not?”
“Double isn’t enough for that sort of heat. You want me to steal charity money and frame the mayor.” I wait, wondering when he’s going to slam his cell phone on his desk and end the call.
He sighs.
I keep waiting.
“Triple,” he bites out.
Holy shit. This is real money. I can only imagine he’s pulling it from the city’s coffers, because there’s no way he’s got that sort of cash on hand.
I glance at Liza’s house again. Triple.