“He is.”I lean in closer.“And one Sheriff Finn Manning.”
A rare blush creeps over her cheeks.“Stop.He is definitelynotinterested.”
“He is.”
“Shh.”She slaps my arm.“Mona’s up there.”
The room has gone completely silent.Sure, Mona is a massive pain the ass to almost everyone in this room, but she’s not the type to go up in front of everyone and give suggestions about ways we can gouge the Zodiac Hills tourists.
Oh, wait.Yes, she is.
“What I’m going to do is offer these yahoos a place to stay using that bed-and-breakfast application thing.According to my research, I have the potential to make three times more on my rental properties than I do now.”
She certainly has a lot of rental properties.
“What about the tenants you currently have living in these properties?”That was asked by Sherry Waters, a tenant of Mona’s that currently lives in one of her bungalows.Hers is on Chatham Street.
Mona shrugs.“Sounds like a personal problem to me.”
“You can’t—” Sherry starts to say.
Mona holds up her hand to stop Sherry.“I can.Read your rental agreement.”Mona smirks.“The small print.”
This certainly turns the meeting from something entertaining into something else completely.The room is in an uproar, mainly because a good number of people in attendance live in one of Mona’s houses.Kitty tries to calm the crowd down with her hammer, but it’s not working this time.People are standing up now, pointing at Desdemona Keres, but she doesn’t seem to care.Hell, I think she’s enjoying it.
“I’ll see you in court.”That’s something I hear from my left.
“You fucking bitch.”That’s from my right.
There’s quite a bit of agreement to that second one, by the way.
“Citizens.”Kitty hits the hammer multiple times, but it’s too late.
Put a fork in it.This thing is done.
I feel a hand wrap around my wrist, then a tug.“Let’s go before it turns violent.”I stand and lead Bella and me out of our row and down the main aisle toward the door.By the time we’re outside, the room has become what my dad would describe as bedlam.
“Jesus.”I mutter.“What a—”
“Shit show.”
“Yeah.”
Sighing, Bella runs her hand over her dark hair.“I need a drink.”
“Me too.”
Without another word, the pair of us turn left and walk toward Brother’s Place.Inside, the room is empty except for a couple of older men that seem to be permanently planted on one of Brother’s barstools.We wave at the pair and move to a booth near the wall.We both reach out and take a swipe at our side of the booth with our hands.I’ve sat in mystery liquids too many times here.When my side is dry, I slide in.Bella follows right after.
“What’ll you two lovely ladies have tonight?”
I look up at Joe.“When did you leave the meeting?”
“Right after I spoke.Had to get back here since my new bartender called in.”He rolled his eyes.
“You weren’t there for Mona’s announcement?”
“Do I want to know?”
