“I have heard at least five variations of the word drunk when hearing about your mother, and the most accurate is that ya mama is a basic-ass drunk. Acknowledgment is the first step of healing,” Ms. Green said with false empathy. “As for you, Mr. Sullivan, I hope you’ve secured a healthy retainer because if we take this to court, they won’t be able to pay your fees after the first few months of litigation.”
Santiago shook his head, believing all that needed to be said was said, but oh no, Ms. Green was like a tick on a hound.
“I can’t figure out how you got elected to run this town when your only qualification seems to be your ability to run an ancestral fortune into the ground; dressing your mother in vintage designs to keep up appearances while investing in a number ofterribleventures.”
Aunt Lina crept closer and peeked into the room.
“And let’s not forget your trips to Nashville to meet with Ms. Cindy, who charges over five hundred a night, which really, wouldn’t be an issue except you charged it to your business accounts, under mayoral duties. If I’m not mistaken, Mayor Archer, misappropriation of funds is anactualcrime that could land your ass in?—”
The mayor lunged across Aunt Lina’s antique table, pushing Ms. Green back and reaching for her throat. Ms. Green lifted her knee and connected with his manhood.
Between the furniture and Sullivan, it took Santiago less than a second to reach the pair. The mayor began to convulse on top of Ms. Green, who shifted from beneath him and stood, holding an oddly shaped device with thin wires that extended from Anderson’s crotch.
Santiago pried the Taser from Ms. Green’s hand.
Unfortunately for Anderson, she used it to grip the man’s jaw and turn his head toward her. “Where I’m from you put your hands on a woman, you better be ready to fight for your motherfuckin’ life.”
“Gather your belongings Ms. Green,” Santiago said firmly.
“He must’ve been out of his rabid-assed mind if he thought I was just gonna let him jump on me and I not fight back.” She turned back to Anderson. “Your useless ass is probably the reason ya mama is so stoned she can barely keep her eyes open.”
Swinging her large bag onto her shoulder, she clipped the mayor’s head, and Santiago couldn’t tell if it was accidental or intentional.
Moving her braids off her shoulder, she walked to the side of the room near where Audrey sat and picked her phone off the upright charger sitting on the table. She did something on the screen, then placed the phone in her pocket before turning to Santiago, the wild anger no longer present on her face. “I’ll be waiting in the car, Sheriff Stillwater,” she said as she sashayed out of the room and past Deputy Roan who’d stopped at the entrance, eyes wide, as she took in the scene.
“Damn, I missed it,” he heard Roan say with disappointment
“Don’t worry, I got it all on video and stored in the cloud, Deputy,” Ms. Green called back before he heard the door slam shut.
Santiago turned back to the mayor; certain Roan had clocked the way his eyes followed Ms. Green’s backside out the room.
The mayor groaned.
“You want me to call the ambulance, Sheriff?” Roan asked solemnly, but the way she looked over on the other side of the wall he knew she and Aunt Lina were laughing on the inside. They’d be laughing out loud later.
“Have Deputy Travis come handle this, you’ve already had a busy morning.”
“Appreciated, Sheriff.”
“Mrs. Veronica?” he called out.
“Yes, dear,” she nodded wistfully, as if he’d asked if she’d like a gin and tonic.
He stooped down and peered into her dilated pulpits.
“Have the EMTs check her out as well,” he told Roan. “Sullivan, is there a reason you’re still here?”
“No, Sheriff. I...I’ll just check on Mayor Archer later,” he said scuttling out of the room.
“You’d better be on your way too, mijo. Our guest may grow tired of waiting and drive herself to the station.”
At least then he’d be able to charge her.
Outside, Ms. Green was sitting in his front passenger seat with the door open and Andy Archer standing over her, his arm on the roof of the cruiser as they spoke.
Seeing his two least favorite people talking to each other companionably almost moved him to a level of violence commiserate to Ms. Green’s.
“Andy, son, if you’re standing that close to my vehicle, I’m gonna assume you’re looking for an indefinite visit at the station.”
