Chapter 26 #2
“Well, now isn’t the time. Okay? I don’t think I can handle another level of hardheadedness.”
“Alright. What are you going to say to the council members?”
“I’m just going to be matter of fact. But… I think I’ll put the fear of God into them.” I’d heard what Axe had said the night before. I’d also heard the concern in his voice, but fading into fear and anxiety had never gotten me anywhere.
Groaning, he twisted me around to face him. “You do realize when dangerous people are backed against the wall, they can do crazy things. You don’t have any evidence and I don’t want you to put yourself in harm’s way.”
“That’s what you said last night and I believe you. However, I guess you’re going to need to trust me.”
“It’s not about trust,” he said, lifting his arm as if prepared to touch my face. Then he thought better of it, curling his fingers. “Don’t forget that there have been two recent fires caused by arson. If you’re even remotely right about what you believe, you don’t want to be on their radar.”
Thankfully we were interrupted at the perfect time. I didn’t need to go into petty fights from years ago.
“Ms. Sterling, Mr. Beckett, the city council will see you now.”
I was on my feet first, heading to the door when he stopped me. “Can we talk about what happened last night later?”
“As I said, I’m not sure there’s anything to talk about. Let’s get through the meeting first. Okay?”
Exhaling, he nodded. “Fine. Let’s do this.”
A strange tone caught my attention. “What’s that?”
He yanked his phone from his pocket, reading a text. “Shit. I’m getting called to a fire.”
“Then you need to go.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone.”
I placed my hand on his chest. “I’m a big girl. I eat men like this for breakfast. Remember? Go be a hero.” What troubled me was the timing of the fire. “Do you have anything for me to give the council about your request regarding the firefighters?”
Axe cocked his head. “They won’t listen to you.”
“Oh, yes, they will.”
His laugh sent shivers down my spine. Thankfully, he pulled a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. “Just some notes. I don’t know what you can do with it.”
“Let me see if I can work some magic.”
He finally decided to touch me as he’d wanted to before, stroking my cheek with his knuckles. “Knock ‘em dead, Palomino Girl.”
“Maybe we’ll take a ride on the mare after you return from the fire.”
His face lit up. “That’s a deal, but only if you find a name.”
“I can do that.”
I waited until he’d moved out of sight before reading over his notes. Wow. It wasn’t much to go on, but I refused to let him down. After taking a deep breath, I headed into the room. The five men were staring at me.
“Good afternoon, I’m McKenzie Sterling. I’ve been retained as an attorney for the Sterling Corporation.”
“What can we do for you, Ms. Sterling?” The man’s voice indicated annoyance.
Jack Parker had been on the council for a while, the man once considered very close to my father.
While I hadn’t been able to discover the reason for the fallout, and my father hadn’t been forthcoming, I could tell he was already dead set against the approval.
Now the gloves were off.
I’d never say I was a politician, but I certainly knew how to handle a group of surly men who from the onset weren’t thrilled I was all but attacking their way of doing business.
“I think the paperwork speaks for itself, Mr. Parker. In order for an occupancy permit to be issued, the Sterling Stadium will need the council’s final approval, which quite frankly I’m shocked hasn’t been issued given every plan to date has been approved, every safety concern addressed.
All that’s needed are your signatures. Now, I’m aware that there was a recent special election and that certainly could have hindered the timing.
However, given my client is well underway in bringing an incredible charity event to our beloved city, as you might imagine, he’s quite anxious about the holdup. ”
I allowed them time to digest my statement, glancing from one to the other. I’d also refused to take a seat. A tactic I’d used more than once.
Another council member laughed. Oliver Carter was new on the council, recently winning an election that I’d discovered had been questionable and why?
Because it had become very apparent palms had been greased.
At least those were my instincts. He’d come out of nowhere, only moving to Missoula a few months before.
But his huge land development project had been fought tooth and nail by the locals.
“From what I understand, there were corners cut to the project, warnings issued and ignored.”
So they were going to play that game.
At least two members who’d been on the council for a while were annoyed. Interesting to see.
“There were no corners cut, Mr. Carter. In fact, my client had gone above and beyond to ensure all concerns were addressed fully and completely. Now, unless there’s another reason that you are stalling, I suggest you make good on the verbal contract you initiated with my client. ” My tone was much harsher than before.
“What is this charity event?” Mitch Sheffield asked, eager to hear what I had to say.
I described the event, allowing a smile when I did.
However, it was apparent at least three of them were not impressed.
Jack yanked off his glasses. “We’re going to need some time to discuss. Now, if you will, please have Mr. Beckett come in. We have several things on our agenda today.”
I managed to keep my smile. “He was called unexpectedly to a fire.”
“Well, then.” Malcolm Travers began to gather the papers I’d presented. Eager to shove them under a rug.
“I’ll be happy to provide you with what he was prepared to discuss.”
Before any of the men had the opportunity to say a word, I’d jumped in, only hoping I knew what the fuck I was talking about. Thank God Axe had told me enough about what they were dealing with and what the fire departments had to endure. And with his notes, maybe I could wing it.
Two of the men barely looked at me. As if their indifference would stop me.
“With the current budget cuts, you’ve caused the fire department to remain shorthanded on both personnel and equipment.
Take Engine Company Twelve for example; one of two engines has spent more time being in the shop than in use.
That means in the case of a multi-alarm fire, valuable time is lost in waiting for another engine company to respond.
Given the fact you closed one engine company, that’s caused serious consequences. ”
“So what is it that you’re asking for, Ms. Sterling?
” From what I could tell, Mitch Sheffield was a key player.
He was also honest. When he was about to be shut down by Jack, he threw his hand out.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had the request regarding the fire department.
It’s the third and I for one believe we need to consider re-appropriating some funds. ”
I’d spent some time learning about the five men of the council. No longer was there a smokejumper serving on the group.
The last had been booted out.
Currently, there were five corporate businessmen, which was perfectly fine except two of the five had axes to grind in trying to have their commercial land development projects approved. In my mind, serving was a conflict of interest.
While the land where the rodeo was being held was private and the council had no authority over the choice of venues, given the proximity of a nearby park, which butted up to the parking lot, the only logical choice for the location of the charity events themselves was to utilize the park.
That meant a special permit was needed. While normally this would fall under the purview of Parks and Recreation, time was of the essence, and the council could make the approval at the same time.
And only if the stadium itself was given final occupancy.
“We’ve already appropriated the money for the year for the fire departments, Mitch. You’re well aware of that. There’s nothing we can do.” Jack was adamant, barely able to look me in the eye.
“Yes, we can revisit the budget,” Mitch insisted. “We’ve done it before.”
“Calm down. We will discuss but not now.” Nick was the other long-term player.
I waited for a few seconds before speaking.
“Bullshit,” I said quietly. “Did you know there’s an active arsonist in town, gentlemen?
Did you know the fire department was late in coming to the same fire where William Beckett, a senior smokejumper was killed?
You remember him. Don’t you? From what I understand, the water didn’t arrive because various fire departments were on other calls, taking the place of the fire department that you closed.
” As I’d done before, I took time to glance at every member of the city council.
“Now, maybe things wouldn’t have been any different, but what if the water had gotten to that mountain location in time?
What if? You have the budget numbers. As you should know by now, smokejumpers work closely with every fire department in Missoula. Help them be able to do their jobs.”
Jack folded his arms, obviously bored to death.
Both Oliver and Malcolm were leering at me, another typical method of intimidation. Well, time to play ball.
“You have the budgetary numbers provided before. I’m certain you’re going to do the right thing. And how do I know that?” Keeping the smile on my face was getting difficult.
“How?” Mitch appeared furious, but not with me.
I took the time to lean over the table, placing my palms on the surface. Now, with a much wider smile, I took my time enunciating my words.
“Because there is an active arsonist within this community and it’s my belief that what will be found will indicate acts of insurance fraud, including involving the old mill property.
You know, the one that just burned, starting a raging forest fire that destroyed several hundred acres of land.
Land that coincidentally backs up to an area that appears to be prime real estate. Now, that’s just my opinion.”
Again, I waited for the accusation to sink in.
“What are you getting at?” Jack asked, not at all concerned.
“What I’m getting at is that there is a prime piece of real estate that would be of even greater value if turned into a high dollar resort community. Potentially with the stadium as an anchor. New shops. New entertainment. Townhouses. The recently renovated resort. A mecca for out-of-towners.”
“Are you making accusations?” Oliver tossed out.
“Of course not. I’m simply putting a few pieces of the puzzle together as to why the stadium would be on hold.”
“You’re suggesting your father Bartholomew Sterling is involved with arson?” Mitch was genuinely confused.
“Of course not. There is no secret that my client has fallen onto hard times. This project and this rodeo will provide him with financial opportunities he wouldn’t otherwise have, Mr. Sheffield.
Now, as I said, I can understand some timing issues because of the changes made to your council membership, but given there are no issues, I’ll expect to have the full approval in my inbox by eight in the morning. ”
I gathered my things, walking toward the door.
“That sounds very much like a threat, Ms. Sterling.”
Jack’s voice had started to become grating.
“Oh, please.” I turned around. The plastic smile was getting old since I was pissed off.
However, they’d never know it. “I’m an attorney.
It would be immoral and illegal of me to make any threats.
However, since I’ve been involved with corporate law for my entire career, including dealing with those who truly do either cut corners or use methods of extortion to pad their bank account, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.
Follow the money. It tells no lies. Now, have yourself a great day, gentlemen. ”
I walked out, feeling as if I’d set the tone.
What that was, I wasn’t certain.
Without looking back, I headed outside, taking a deep breath. I was positive I was on the right track. Now I just needed evidence.
I’d almost reached the truck when I felt a presence. That was the first time that I’d wished I was carrying a weapon.
I spun around, exhaling when seeing Mitch. “Mr. Sheffield.”
“I’m so sorry to startle you. I wanted to catch you before you left.”
“Okay. Did I miss something?”
“No, but I did want to warn you. While I have no proof, it’s my belief that Oliver and Malcolm bought their way onto the council.”
“For what reason?”
“You didn’t hear this from me. But there is a hush-hush project being considered. I don’t the details or I’d tell you more.”
“I appreciate you telling me.”
“I also wanted to warn you.”
“About?”
“Just be careful. You’re right about the money. And if there’s enough, people will do anything to keep it. I mean anything. I need to get back inside.”
The council member walked away and I wasn’t certain whether to be grateful for his warning or concerned.
Whatever the case, a cold shiver trickled down my spine.