But now, sitting in the overly warm mayor’s office, that feeble voice echoes once more.
“Why are you telling me this now, Nate?”
His tongue feels gluey as he says, “Well, obviously Will and Owen staying together is bad news. Owen is too close to the police, and if Will happens to say something to him—”
“Like what?”
Nate scratches the back of his head. “Will comes here from time to time for your… events. Maybe he heard something he shouldn’t, and maybe he’ll end up mentioning it to Owen, who might mention it to his aunt.”
The mayor still sits like a statue, but his eyes indicate he’s thinking. Nate uses the opportunity to say, “I know you have power over Will. If you could just make him break up with Owen—”
“So he could be with you?”
“What? No! I’m not… it’s not about that. Remember how much shit you got during that mess between Will and Joel? You don’t need something like that happening again in an election year.”
“This isn’t an election year.”
“It isn’t? Oh.”
“But I agree.” The mayor picks up his pipe and lights it. He takes a lungful and blows out the smoke, signaling with his head for Veronica to open the window. She does, as quiet as a ghost and just as pale.
“You agree?” Nate asks, appreciating the breeze on his face.
“Those two should not stay together.”
Nate exhales, feeling lighter than air. “Great.”
“We’ll need to take out Owen.”
Nate frowns. “Huh?”
“I can’t have the sheriff start using undercover agents. He needs to see how bad such an approach can get, or he’ll try it again.”
“Hold on. He won’t send anyone undercover without going through me, and I’ll let you know.”
“Like you did with Owen?”
Nate no longer feels the breeze—his skin is too hot. “I’m sorry about that, but Owen is no longer a problem. He won’t do any more undercover work.”
“I didn’t reach this point in my life by not being paranoid, Nate, or by being forgiving. I’ll take care of Owen.”
“How?”
“You lost the privilege of asking that when you kept information from me. Luckily for you, I’m willing to give you a second chance.” He takes another puff from his pipe. “And I strongly suggest you give up on any silly dream you have about Will. The second his sister dies, he’ll want to leave town. That won’t happen, but you still need to let it go.”
Nate is too confused to make sense of the mayor’s words. “What do you mean it won’t happen? He won’t leave town after Julie dies?”
The mayor puts down his pipe, but the smoke still rises. “Hal Darnell will take him.”
“Hal Darnell? The convenience store guy?”
“Yes. He has a ranch south of here, secluded and well guarded. He’ll keep Will there for however long he wants, doing whatever the hell he wants. What happens after that is none of my concern. That boy has been a headache for me since he crawled out of the closet, and I’m counting the days until I have no more use for him.”
“But… that guy can’t justtakeWill.”
“He can do whatever he pleases. He has people who will do the job for him. I doubt the sheriff is going to look into a missing person case for Will Thomas of all people, but you shouldn’t concern yourself with matters that don’t involve you.” He tells Veronica, “Escort Nate out. We’re done here.”
“Wait. I don’t—”
