Page 103 of Say Yes to the Death

The three of them stood up and moved as a single unit behind a large art installation in the middle of the lobby. From here, Wendy and Dustin were just barely audible. The clerk behind the check-in desk stared at them.

“Is this what you wore for Councilman Hobart?” Dustin asked as he slid a finger from the top of her boot to the hem of her dress. If you could even call it a dress. It was more of a belt.

“No, you know I picked out something special just for you. You might be more interested in what I’m not wearing.” Wendy sipped her drink and spread her legs apart on the bar stool. Welp, mystery solved.

The councilman’s hand, complete with a gold wedding ring, disappeared under the hem of her dress. “How about we take things upstairs?”

Wendy bent down and retrieved something from her purse. She dropped it into Dustin’s hands. “First, I want you to touch me with this.”

“Is that—” Nicole hissed.

“My freaking award.” Claire gritted her teeth. Her stomach lurched. It was bad enough that Wendy had cheated. The fact that she was using the award as a sex toy made things a thousand times worse.

“I could do that,” Dustin said, dragging the tear-drop shape down the front of Wendy’s dress. “Or maybe we could…” He moved closer to whisper something in her ear.

“If you want that, you’re going to have to guarantee your vote for next year too.” Wendy laughed, a shrill, nasally sound.

“Did they forget that they’re in public? In a town full of the very married Councilman Foltz’s constituents?” Nicole shook her head.

Mindy popped her head up from behind the newspaper. “I’m gonna go say something to them.”

Claire grabbed her arm and forced her back behind the newspaper. “No. We need something more concrete. Just wait.”

Wendy moaned on her bar stool. A couple seated a few seats away cast scandalized looks in her direction.

The Councilman seemed to notice, because he helped Wendy off the chair. “Let’s head upstairs.”

She grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to the elevator. His hand rested on her ass as they waited. When the doors slid open, the couple immediately grabbed at each other.

“Bingo,” Nicole said, snapping a picture of Dustin cupping Wendy’s ass while she seemed to be plundering for gold behind his back molars.

“Excuse me,” a very prim voice said.

They all jumped. Claire folded the newspaper and tried to look calm.

“You’re excused,” Mindy said, flashing a brilliant white smile at the front desk clerk. “Shall we, girls?” They turned to go.

“Hold on a minute. You can’t be taking pictures of the guests.” There was a stain on the satin ascot the clerk wore.

“Oh, we weren’t. We’re location scouts for a new show on MTV, Murderous Business. We travel to businesses owned by accused and convicted murderers. Such as this one,” Nicole said, gesturing at the lobby. “Do you have any comment on the allegations against Mr. Windsor?”

The clerk sighed. “I don’t get paid enough for this shit.” She walked back to the desk, a bit of toilet paper stuck to the heel of her pumps.

Claire grabbed their hands and they ran out of the lobby, cramming into the same section of revolving door again and practically tripping over each other in their bid for escape.

“Oh my god,” Mindy said as soon as they were in the parking lot. “I can’t believe she really did it. She slept with at least two of them.”

“Do you think it’s enough to get her to drop the lawsuit?” Nicole tucked her camera back into its bag.

Claire climbed into the car and slammed the door. Her heart was beating staccato in her chest. “I’m not sure. But it’s the best shot we have.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

To Do:

- Iron court outfit

- Look over opening remarks

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