He glowers at me. I should leave this here; I could leave this here. There’s no restriction on what I can or can’t do with the speedway. I’ve saved money for it once – I’ll do it again and then do what I want with the place. If he, the councillors or any other committee want to fight against me, I’ll fight.
But deep down I know better. Having him on side is way better than having him against me.
‘What happened at the carnival is unfortunate.’ I stay seated, not wanting to power-trip him like he did to me. ‘The incident is also proof that racing is going to happen in Booker Bay whether you want it to or not. It’s part of the history of this town. If you let me open the speedway, racing will be in a controlled environment. I can make sure the racers are safe. I can give them a community to be a part of.’
‘We don’t need a community of hooligans here, Gia. My job is to make sure Booker Bay is safe. On top of that, carbon emissions have been a concern of that place since the 1970s.’
‘Well, that’s an easy fix, Mr Mayor. We’re not in the seventies anymore. Even the Mustang has a hybrid engine. And I can ensure all race cars use renewable fuel.’
‘That isn’t going to stand with the Climate Change Committee.’
‘Then we will agree on a percentage of profits to offset the emissions.’
‘Gia.’ The mayor raises an eyebrow, eyeing me speculatively. ‘This is serious.’
I blow out a heavy breath, straightening my spine and lifting my chin. ‘I lost my brother to racing, Mr Mayor. I take it more seriously than you think.’
His expression softens as he considers my words. He glances out the window. ‘What do you mean, you didn’t see any police until the hospital?’
‘I mean exactly what I said. Jace was long gone before any police appeared.’
Confusion crosses his face, as if he’s unaware of what’s happening in his own town. Because of course Booker Bay is picture-perfect. There would never be greed when a murder case is involved. Power would never come from whoever the highest bidder is. And corruption could never hide behind the finely pressed, community-serving uniforms and shiny badges.
The mayor’s jaw clenches. A brief flash of hesitation simmers in his gaze, but I can feel that he’s convinced he knows what’s right.
He sighs. ‘I can’t condone something so dangerous, Gia.’
‘It’s dangerous, yes. You’re right. And I guess these are my people,’ I push, ‘so I want to give them a safe place where they can live out their passions and push their skills to the limit. The speedway was never a place for—’ I search for a word he would use ‘—hooligansto see who can bethe most dangerous. It was a place to learn and grow and understand this as a sport and love it. I’m not about to ruin that.’
A second ticks by.
A minute.
It’s about to stretch into the two-minute mark, so I continue.
‘I think I saw a picture of you with a pretty ’59 Eldorado hanging in the foyer. Am I wrong?’
He drops his head, fighting to keep a coy smile at bay. He loses, and it slips free.
‘I did love that car,’ he admits. ‘Called her Bessie because she was a beast.’
I nod, understanding. I don’t approve of the cliché name, but I understand.
‘We all have our Bessies, Mr Mayor.’
He clears his throat and regards me sternly, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows a straight, thick line across his forehead.
‘Hammer Time Circuit, huh? It does have a ring to it. Hybrid engines.’ He leans on his elbow as he raises his index finger. ‘Renewable fuel.’ A second finger lifts. ‘Percentage of profits.’ He wiggles three fingers.
‘Deal.’ I smile, keeping my gaze steady.
His lips twitch in a small smile and he holds out his hand, wanting to shake on it. ‘Alright,’ he says in resignation. ‘Make the speedway a safe place.’
I squeal, ignoring his hand and rounding the desk to suffocate him in a hug.
‘You won’t regret it, sir!’
‘Yeah, yeah, Gia.’
