Page 49 of The Good Luck Cafe
“Of course. Same here.” Moira just didn’t get invited to participate often because her job kept her tucked away inside her home. “Do you want us to sell something?”
“Kind of.” The sheriff nodded. “I want to have a jail cell lock-in with all three of the mayoral candidates. We’ll set bail for each of you, and the town will pitch in money to spring you out. If you don’t make bail before sunset, you’ll have to stay overnight in one of those cots that need replacing.” He looked between them, a steady smile lining his lips. “Sounds like fun, right?”
Moira’s belly flopped like a fish gasping for breath. She’d spent only one night in jail in her life, and she didn’t fancy repeating it. The night she’d trashed Felix’s apartment still haunted her, almost as much as the night before that.
“Yeah,” Gil said enthusiastically. “That sounds like fun to me. I’m in.”
Both men looked at Moira expectantly. What could she say? Denise and Gil had already agreed. If she refused, she’d look like a poor sport. She forced a smile that felt tight and unnatural. “Of course. Count me in as well.”
“Great!” Ronnie said.
“When do you want us to do this?” Gil asked.
“Well, there’s no time like the present. I was hoping for this weekend.”
“That’s pretty fast, don’t you think?” Moira asked.
The sheriff shrugged. “All I need is for Reva to announce the lock-in on her blog. I got a connection at theDaily Gazettetoo. It’ll be easy to spread the word, and I want to feed off your new announcement, Moira. People are excited about more folks throwing their hats into the ring for the mayoral race. This will be good for the jail and for you.”
Moira shared a look with Gil.
“Okay, you two. Prepare to be arrested early Saturday morning,” the sheriff said.
Anxiety twisted Moira’s gut. “Wait. You’re actually going to arrest us?”
“Oh, yeah. Handcuffs and everything. I might even put you in orange jumpsuits and parade you down Hannigan Street.”
“Orange isn’t really my color.” Gil didn’t seem rattled by this fundraiser at all. In fact, he almost looked excited about it.
Moira was rattled though. So much so that she was suddenly rethinking her bid for mayor. Was it too late to drop out?
Chapter Fifteen
Gil startled awake to the sound of his doorbell ringing. Goldie took off running out of the room ahead of him. Gil looked at the clock and blinked the blurry numbers into focus.Six a.m.? Really?
On a sigh that stretched into a sleepy yawn, he stood and stumbled toward the sound of the doorbell. He opened the door mid-complaint. “Doug, I told you not to—”
“Gilbert Ryan?” a gruff voice asked.
Gil blinked at Sheriff Ronnie flashing his badge. “Sheriff? What’s going on?”
“Gilbert Ryan, you are under arrest.” Ronnie smiled and lowered his tone. “Pretend arrest of course. Your jail time begins now.”
Gil shook his head. Was this really happening? “I was sleeping, Sheriff.”
“I figured as much. I wanted to milk this opportunity for all it was worth. Grab your cell phone. Posting some selfies from jail will help your cause when you beg for bail.” He chuckled.
“Please tell me I get to put some decent clothes on too? Otherwise, there’ll be no selfies happening.”
Sheriff Ronnie’s gaze dropped to Gil’s Empire State Building boxer shorts. Gil had bought them two summers ago when he’d gone to the Big Apple to see friends. They were fun, but no one else was supposed to see them. “Hmm. Nice. I kind of pegged you as a guy who’d sport boxers with a puppy print.”
“I have a pair of those too.” Gil hiked a thumb behind him. “So, can I have a few minutes to change and maybe make a cup of coffee first?”
“Clothes, yes. But to get the full lockup experience, you’ll be drinking jailhouse coffee. Best hurry up. Next stop is Moira’s house.”
Gil narrowed his gaze. “We’re picking Moira up after this?”
“Mm-hmm. Miles is doing the honors of arresting Denise.”
