Ferguson was the first to look up at me, and I acknowledged the approval in his eyes with a slight nod. “As you can see,” I said when the mayor set the page down, “several line items have been cut from the original numbers.”
“You don’t want to piss Ed off,” Mayor Jenkins said. “He keeps our police cars on the road.”
I didn’t care if Ed of Ed’s Garage was pissed or not. The bastard was a crook, along with his cousin, my police captain. “We worked things out this morning. Ed rethought his pricing. With the new contract and the other items adjusted to reflect actual costs, there’s room in the budget for new uniforms and a pay raise for those officers deserving one.”
It had been over a year since anyone had an increase in their paychecks, and that was never going to happen as long as Moody continued diverting money into his pockets. That was stopping as of today. I wanted my officers to take pride in themselves and their police department. Happy cops made for good cops.
“This budget will have to be approved,” Mayor Jenkins said, and I heard the dismissal in his voice.
I knew that, but he could give it the stamp of approval, fast-tracking a vote from the town manager and city commissioners, or it could get lost somewhere under a pile of papers on his desk.
“We can put it on the agenda for next Thursday night.” Ferguson tapped his pen on the table as he leveled his gaze on me. “It’s our monthly review session. The mayor, me, and the commissioners.”
The town manager had just let me know he was onboard. Mayor Jenkins was glaring at Ferguson. It was time to play my trump card. “Buddy, could you give the mayor and me a few minutes?”
“I think we’re done here.” Ferguson gathered up his papers and folders. He stood, putting his hand on the mayor’s shoulders. “Jim John, we said we’d give Dylan a chance to prove himself or fall flat on his face. Put him and his amended budget on the review meeting agenda.”
They had said that when I’d interviewed. One of my conditions before I’d signed a one-year contract with the town of Blue Ridge Valley was that within reason, I had a free hand to set up the police department as I saw fit.
“You’re making changes too fast,” the mayor said when we were alone.
He and I both knew that wasn’t his problem with my new budget. I was tempted to come right out and ask what Moody had on him, but he’d deny it to hell and high water.
“Another year under Moody’s control, and he would have run your police department out of business. You brought me here to do a job, and I need to know now if you’re going to let me do it.”
Jenkins sighed. “Of course, I am. I just think you should ease into things. We’ll talk about this some more, maybe schedule it for next month’s meeting.”
I thought the mayor was caught between a rock and a hard place. Not my problem though. “Easing into things isn’t my way, Mayor.” I’d hoped not to have to resort to playing dirty, but I was willing to if it meant getting my police department in shape. “This morning I was cleaning out some files, and I came across this.” I laid the arrest report on his daughter in front of him.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “What do you plan to do with it?”
My guess was that he’d thought it had been destroyed. I’m also sure Moody was keeping it for leverage. “It’s a copy. Do whatever you want with it.”
“And the original?”
I really hated dirty games, but the only way to fight a fire was with fire. “Locked away for now. You help me get my budget put through Thursday night, I’ll give it to you.” The last thing I wanted to see was respect in his eyes for doing this, but there it was. I was playing the game the way he understood it. Christ, I hated politicians and their backroom deals.
“Done.”
“A word of warning. If I or one of my officers ever catches your daughter driving while under the influence or finds drugs on her person, I will see that she is prosecuted.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t threaten me, Mr. Conrad. And you don’t have to worry. She’s cleaned up her act.”
I hoped so. Stephanie’s arrest had been buried, and she hadn’t even gotten a slap on the hand for getting caught driving while high on coke. Even worse, a gram of cocaine had been found in the pocket of her jeans. But I was willing to give her a clean slate.
“I guess I’ll see you Thursday night, unless you want to meet one more time to go over everything before the review meeting.”
“No. Present it as is.”
“Thank you.” I stood. “As far as my officers are concerned, their raises were your idea.” I could afford to be gracious now that I’d gotten what I wanted, and it also helped get the bitter taste out of my mouth for having to resort to dirty play.
I had made it to the door when he told me he expected to see me at his Saturday barbeque. Damn, I guess Stephanie got to her father.
15
~ Jenny ~
After gettingthe yard work done, I came in with my dad for lunch. On my plate was a present wrapped in Christmas paper. “What’s this?”
