Page 35 of Sirens
The sudden, unmistakable rasp of Trent McGarvey’s voice had both of them freezing and whipping their heads toward him. He was standing by the wrought-iron entrance gate, his muscular arms folded across his chest and a stern expression on his face. At his side was one of the mayor’s staff members, who had clearly been watching the confrontation unfold.
“Respectfully,” McGarvey added.
“Officer McGarvey,” the mayor said, releasing his grip on Maggie’s wrist as if it had suddenly become white hot. “I find it quite concerning that, despite your assurances, I continue to be harassed by Miss Michaels on my own property.”
Maggie clenched her fists, trying to suppress the urge to roll her eyes at the mayor’s overdramatic response. She glanced at McGarvey, wondering if he could see through the mayor’s theatrics just as easily as she could.
“Mayor Stewart,” McGarvey said calmly, “I understand your concerns. However, that doesn’t give you the right to take Miss Michaels’s property.”
The mayor’s mouth twisted into a sour grimace. “If this is the kind of support the Townsend Harbor Police Department and County Sheriff provides, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the allocation of our municipal bonds.”
“Sir,” McGarvey responded evenly, “we take all investigations seriously, and I assure you, we’re doing everything in our power to maintain order and safety within our community.”
“Everything in your power?” Mayor Stewart retorted, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I’d hate to think what would happen if your department was any less capable.”
“Actually,” Maggie interjected, “it’s the Townsend Harbor municipal law that gives me the right to be on this property.”
Mayor Stewart raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with her interruption. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely,” she replied confidently, even though she was only half certain she was right. “So unless you want to have a lengthy discussion about civil codes, I suggest you let me continue my work.”
“Fine,” he huffed, gesturing dismissively. “You’re welcome to leave so that those with the proper authority and qualifications can discuss this matter.”
“You mean like a dick?” Maggie asked, folding her arms across her chest. “Because last time I checked, a penis isn’t required to read civil codes. Or press releases, for that matter. Because I’ve got some contacts at theSeattle Timeswho would just cream their khakis to run a feature piece on the sordid sex worker scandal that Townsend Harbor was founded on. In fact, that reminds me. I’m supposed to meet Michelle for coffee.”
Maggie’s fingers danced over her phone screen, tapping out a message before she raised the device to her ear. The mayor shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to maintain his air of superiority even as his face betrayed his anxiety.
“Michelle whom?” he asked, his voice dripping with condescension.
“Michelle Thompson,” Maggie replied, her smirk widening as she hit send and switched the call to speakerphone. “The editor in chief of theSeattle Times.”
The ringing on the other end echoed through the tense silence, and Maggie watched with delight as a bead of sweat escaped the artfully sculpted shock of the mayor’s silver hair. It traced a wet path down his spray-tanned, Botox frozen forehead, signaling his growing unease.
“Hey, Maggie!” Michelle’s cheerful voice rang out from the phone. “What can I do for you?”
“Hi, Michelle,” Maggie responded, keeping her eyes locked on the mayor’s increasingly uncomfortable expression. “I was just thinking about that coffee date we’ve been meaning to set up. How does tomorrow sound?”
“Sounds great! You better have some hot goss for me!” Michelle—her nail tech—replied, blissfully unaware of the power play unfolding on the other end of the line.
“Perfect. See you then,” Maggie said, ending the call and tucking her phone back into her purse.
Mayor Stewart’s jaw flexed. “Very well, Miss Michaels,” he said through gritted teeth. “You’ve made your point.”
“You have no idea how delighted I am to hear it,” Maggie replied, her smile never faltering.
“Now kindly remove yourself from my property. And be advised that if you come within a hundred yards of me again, Iwillpress charges for your recent trespassing offense.”
“Are you serious?” Maggie interrupted, incredulous. “Townsend Harbor is so small it’s nearly impossible not to be a hundred yards away from someone at all times!”
“Then I suggest you find a way to manage it.” Mayor Stewart spun on his heel and disappeared back into the mansion, leaving Maggie fuming in the garden.
McGarvey placed a warm hand on the small of her back, gently guiding her down the hill. The unexpected touch sent a shiver up her spine and sparked that familiar flutter in her stomach.
“Can you believe that dickwrinkle?” Maggie vented, feeling the need to fill the silence between them. “Who the actual fuck does he think he is?”
“Um, the mayor,” McGarvey replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
She hated it when he had a point.
