“Actually, we wanted to chat with you about your credentials first,” Jack said in a businesslike tone while squeezing my hand. I immediately imagined us naked.
“Oh, of course. I’m so sorry. I should’ve done that first.” Dave stood and went to a messy desk and rifled through a stack of papers. After a few seconds he extracted a brochure, then walked back to us and handed the paper to me.
As Dave talked about his dog training and handling experience, I studied the glossy brochure. It had photos of a smiling Dave with various dogs. It also listed a short bio.
Dave is also an active member of the Wahoo community, and was elected to the town’s city council, where he advocates for his constituents and for the environment.
This was our in. “Oh,” I cried, pointing to the brochure. “You’re on the city council! How awesome.”
Dave, who had been telling Jack about the time he showed a Tibetan Spaniel at Westminster, looked to me and straightened his spine. The corners of his mouth turned down.
“Well, I was on the council. I lost during the November election. Lost by a hair. I campaigned so hard, spent tens of thousands of dollars. Now I’m in debt and the city is without a voice for the environment and the needy.”
“Oh, that’s a shame. I’m so sorry.” My mouth twisted to make a genuinely sad face. Dave seemed like a guy who truly cared, unlike Tyler, that useless ball of belly-button lint.
“Yes, that’s too bad. I’m a firm believer that we need animal lovers in our local government,” Jack said. “Are you planning to run again?”
Dave sighed. “I’m not sure. I felt like I was getting somewhere on the council, keeping development in check. I’m from South Florida and know how malls and subdivisions can get out of hand.”
“I hear you on that. Lived in Miami for a while myself,” Jack said in a folksy tone.
“I think there are plenty of people who agree with you on the development issue here,” I said. It was true. My sister had a vast network of friends and acquaintances who rallied to protest every new condo building and housing tract. But in the end, the folks on the side of the environment always seemed to lose in Florida. I could never quite figure out why, but I had my eye on the usual suspects: corruption and greed.
They were the bread and butter of the Sunshine State.
Dave stared mournfully at his pad of paper. I got the sense that it really tore him up to lose the election. “I think you’re right. But there are some well-financed candidates who will do anything to win.”
I wanted to turn to Jack and give him a meaningful look, but kept my expression neutral.
“Really? In a small town like this? I’m pretty new here,” Jack said. “Wahoo doesn’t seem corrupt at all.”
Dave tore a sheet out of his notebook and crumpled it in one chubby hand. “The things I saw during the campaign would knock your socks off.”
“Really?” I leaned forward in my seat. “Like what?”
“I probably shouldn’t say.”
“Oh, come on,” Jack prodded chummily. “We won’t tell anyone. We just want to know who to steer clear of.”
A glimmer sparked in Dave’s eyes. “My opponent, Tyler Carr, was sketchy as all get out.”
Bingo!
“Hmm, I think I’ve heard of him.” I put my finger on my chin. “Sketchy how?”
“I believe he, or one of his minions, paid a guy with my same name to run in the election. Tyler won by a hundred and twelve votes. The unknown David H. Smith received just enough votes to make me come in second place. If he hadn’t been in the race, I would’ve won.”
I allowed my jaw to drop, pretending to be shocked.
“No way, man. That’s super messed-up.” Jack frowned. “Have you told the authorities, or the news, or anyone?”
I marveled at how Jack was extremely conversational with everyone. It was truly a gift.
“I discussed it with the city manager and the city attorney, but they’re pro-development and disliked me while I was on the council. So nothing happened on that front.” Bitterness laced his tone. “I’m considering going to the police or filing a complaint with the ethics board. Thing is, I can’t actually link Tyler to theotherDavid H. Smith. I’ve tried asking around town and came up empty. He probably used a go-between is my guess, so that he stays clean.”
My mind began to spin with possibilities. Could that go-between have been Gene?
“That’s a lot of work just to be on the city council,” Jack said.