4. Chapter 4

Chapter four

"Those farmers can be a rowdy bunch."

S ince the horse auction didn't start until noon, Gage had some time to kill. He could go to the Farmer's Market, but Sydney would have that all under control. Besides, he needed to talk to someone about Duncan's proposal.

Gage left the Ambrose Tavern and walked down the street to the sheriff's station. Clementine's Jeep was parked out front behind Booker's Blazer. He went into the station and smiled at Maya.

"Good morning, Aunt Maya."

"Sweetheart. How are you? I thought you'd be at the Farmer's Market."

"Sydney's there. I came to see Clem. Is she in her office?"

"She and the chief are at the market."

"Oh right. Those farmers can be a rowdy bunch."

Maya laughed. "They're probably doing more shopping than keeping the law."

"I'll go track her down there."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just need some sisterly advice."

"She's good at that."

Gage nodded. "Yes, she is. Which is a good thing, considering she's my only sister. I'll see you later."

"I'll be at the bachelor auction tomorrow."

He cocked his head. "Are you planning on doing some bidding?"

Maya shook her head. "Of course not. I just like to watch. I have a hard enough time keeping Ian in line. I don't need another man to take care of."

"I heard Buddy Decker is going up on the block."

She blushed. "You stop now. Buddy and I are ancient history."

"Yeah. Maybe. But those high school romances are hard to get over sometimes."

She took his arm and walked him to the door. "You go on now. I knew Ian in high school, too."

"Yeah. But you dated buddy." He kissed her on the cheek before opening the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Aunt Maya."

Gage left the sheriff's station and continued down the street, then cut over two blocks to the park. There was a community building there used for various events, and today it was the home of the Farmer's Market. It was more of a craft fair since it was February and there was no produce for sale. But it somehow had been called the Farmer's Market since it was added to the list of events for the festival. There were baked goods, canned jelly, honey, dried herbs, and a booth selling locally milled flour. Mrs. Dillard had her spinning wheel going, and the Anderson sisters, who were in their eighties, sold essential oils. The rest of the booths had homemade crafts, from pottery to candles.

But Gage wasn't interested in any of it. He just wanted to find Clementine. When he spotted Sydney, he went over to her and waited until she finished the conversation she was having with one of the vendors.

She smiled at him. "I thought you weren't coming to the market."

"I wasn't. And I'm not. I'm looking for Clem. Have you seen her around?"

"She and the chief were talking to the Anderson sisters a few minutes ago."

"Thanks." He started to go, then stopped. "How's it going?"

"Fine. I've talked to a lot of people."

Gage nodded. "That's why I sent you. I'll see you at the tavern tonight."

"Okay."

He left her then and found Clementine and Booker at the Anderson sister's booth. When Booker saw him, he rolled his eyes.

Gage nodded. "How's it going, Chief?"

"I now know more about essential oils than I ever cared to."

Clementine nudged him. "Shush. You spent twenty minutes talking to Larry at the knife booth."

"Well, yeah. Knives are cool."

Clementine looked at Gage. "Why are you here without a camera?"

"I'm not here officially. Sydney's covering it. I was looking for you, actually. Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" He looked around at the crowd. "Away from all these people."

"Sure. Away from my husband, too?"

"Um…" He shrugged at Booker. "Yeah. Sorry."

Booker raised a hand. "No problem. I should make the rounds." He kissed Clementine. "Take your time. I think I can keep this crowd under control."

She took Gage's arm. "Let's go to the gazebo."

"It's pretty cold out. Can we go back to your office?"

"Sure. I take it this isn't a quick conversation?"

"Not so much, no."

She stopped walking and looked at him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Sort of."

"Gage."

"I'll tell you when we get there." He started her moving again, and they walked to the sheriff's office in silence. When they arrived, Maya seemed surprised to see them.

"Hello, you two."

Clementine smiled at her. "We need a little brother sister time."

"Of course. I'll see that you aren't disturbed."

"Thank you."

They went into Clementine's office, and Gage sat in front of her desk. She went to the coffee machine. "Do you want coffee?"

"No thanks."

She poured herself a cup and sat behind her desk. "Okay. What is it? What's going on?"

Gage took a breath. "This is information that can't be shared with anyone."

"Not even my husband?"

"Technically, yes. But I'll leave that up to your discretion."

"So tell me. I'm dying here."

"Mayor Bessler is leaving office."

"In November?"

"No. In April."

Clementine leaned forward. "Why?"

"I don't know. Some family thing in Portland. The why doesn't really matter. What matters is who will replace him."

She shrugged. "Uncle Duncan."

Gage shook his head. "He can't. Or won't. Some mystery illness he wouldn't tell me about."

Clementine picked up her cup and took a sip. "Right. Journee alluded to that, but wouldn't give me any details. And of course, Corbyn shut me down when I asked him."

"There are laws about that stuff."

She shrugged. "I know. But I had to try." She leaned back and swiveled back and forth in her chair. "So who's going to take his place?"

Gage raised his hand. "Me. Or that's what Duncan wants."

She stared at him for a moment. "Wow."

"I know. Right?"

Clementine took a moment to think about it, then pointed at Gage. "It's not a terrible idea."

"Of course it is. It's a horrible idea."

She shook her head. "Not horrible. It's time a Calaway was back in office. And technically, you're the best qualified Calaway. You know everything about this town. You know all the secrets. You know where the bodies are buried."

"Clem."

"Metaphorically speaking."

He sighed. "I agree technically I could do the job. It's the non-technical stuff I'm worried about. The giving speeches. And throwing out the first ball at little league. The whole shaking hands and kissing babies, thing."

"I don't think they kiss babies anymore. Not these days."

"Whatever. You know what I mean."

She swiveled again. "You can do this."

"I don't want to do it."

It seemed she didn't hear him. Or she chose to ignore him. "You're slightly socially challenged."

"Have you been talking to Pax?" She raised an eyebrow, and he nodded. "Fine. You're both right."

"But we can work on that."

"We?"

She leaned forward again. "I'm about to be unemployed from a job I love. I need something to do. But I want to be in the background. You need someone to be your social liaison."

"Is that a thing?"

"I don't know if it was. But it is now." She smiled. "Sydney."

"What about her?"

"She can be your social liaison. I like that."

"Your made-up term? Or the fact you want to give Sydney the title?"

"Both."

"If I did this. And that's a big if. I need Sydney to take on more responsibility at the paper."

Clementine laughed. "You giving up responsibility at the paper?"

"Some responsibility."

Clementine tapped the desk with her nails. "We need to bring her in on this."

"There is no this. I haven't decided anything yet."

She took her cell phone from her pocket. "I'm going to call her. I'm sure she's fully covered the market by now."

"Wait. No."

Clementine held out a hand. "Shush. You came to me for a reason." She dialed, then put the phone to her ear. "I've got this."

Gage got to his feet and went to the coffee pot. This called for a shot of something. But seeing as they were in the sheriff's office, he'd settle for a third cup of coffee. He filled a cup and returned to the chair.

Clementine smiled. "Hey, Sydney. How's it going there?" She was quiet for a moment. "I'm at my office with Gage. Can you come join us? We have something interesting to run by you." She listened again, then ended the call. "She'll be right here."

"I swear, Clem. I wish I'd never told you."

She laughed. "No you don't. This is going to be great."

Gage groaned. "Just shoot me now."

"Shush and drink your coffee."

While they waited for Sydney to arrive, Clementine rattled on, but Gage wasn't really listening to her. He was regretting talking to her about it. He thought she'd agree with him and tell him he'd be crazy to take it on. Instead, she wanted to be his campaign manager or the equivalent.

When Sydney came through the door, he climbed out of his head and gave her a small smile. At least she didn't have a husband at home to spill the beans to. Gage was sitting in the one chair in front of the desk, so he stood and offered it to her.

"Thank you." She sat down. "I'm getting mixed readings here. What's going on?"

Clementine looked at Gage and he shrugged, then nodded. He'd completely lost control of the situation.

She smiled at Sydney. "What would you think of Gage being our next mayor?"

Sydney appeared to be speechless, and she looked at Gage, who shrugged again. She finally managed to say, "Um…mayor?"

Gage cleared his throat. "It's fine if you think it's an idiotic suggestion. God knows I do."

"Not idiotic. Surprising. How? When?"

He leaned on the desk. "First off, this information doesn't leave this office. The mayor is leaving and there will be a special election in April. Uncle Duncan thinks I should take Bessler's place."

"I thought he was going to run in November."

"He was. And he'd be a great mayor. Me? No. And I told him as much. But he can't do it now." He looked over his shoulder at Clementine. "Then I made the mistake of telling my sister about it. And now you're here and I've broken my uncle's confidence twice in less than an hour after he told me to keep it to myself."

Sydney looked at him for a moment. "Gage. I think Duncan is right. You'd make a great mayor."

"Shit. Here we go."