Page 24 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
“Because we want to know why you didn’t tell the mayor to shove it,” Rhett said. “There’s no way you can help his wife, run an effective campaign, and still keep up with your case load without suffering massive burnout.”
“I bet Russell Heinz is doing the Snoopy dance in his office,” Owen said, referring to Josh’s opponent in the upcoming election. “I thought the mayor was supposed to be endorsing you.”
“He is.”
“Then why, when everyone knows Heinz has a snowflake’s chance in hell of winning, is the mayor offering him a snow machine two months before the election?” Rhett said.
Rhett was more introspective than analytical. When he spoke, it was usually a conversation stopper. He wasn’t introverted by any means, but he had a quiet strength about him, an elevated way of looking at things, that made people want to listen. A trait he’d inherited from their dad.
And as always, Clay had a good point. The mayor had approached Josh about the election, not the other way around. Caldwell was looking for someone with a chance of beating Heinz, and Josh was the only one with the accolades to run a clean campaign and win. Unlike Heinz, Josh was already a prosecutor for the state of Oregon. But when it came to support, Josh felt as if he was in the fight alone.
Clay carefully studied him in the quiet accessing way of his that always made Josh squirm in his seat. Clay might be the youngest, but he was the most emotionally mature one out of the bunch. “Whatever I can do to help, I’ve got your back.”
“We all do,” Rhett said earnestly.
“Great, take over the auction for me.”
Clay went palms up. “No can do. We’re playing the San Francisco Forty-niners this week and the Chiefs next. The only reason I’m here is because my old high school coach asked me to come and play a charity game to raise money for a new football stadium. After that, I head back to Seattle.”
“What about family dinner? Mom’s going to kill you if you miss it again.”
Clay looked torn. “I know, but I’m already missing some publicity thing with the team today. I have to be back on a plane tonight.”
All eyes went to Rhett.
“Hell, no,” Rhett said. “I meant making an appearance, reaching out to my contacts. I know they’re in the wrong industry, but politicians love celebrities.”
Josh sent him a banal look. “Not all politicians.”
“You have to get elected to be a politician,” Owen pointed out, and Rhett laughed.
“Can you get to the point of this visit so you can leave?”
“We’re having poker night at his place.” Owen jabbed a thumb Rhett’s way. “I’ve got the new manager covering for me tonight, so I thought we’d toss back a few and play cards.”
“Why my house?”
“Because the last time you came over, your dog pissed all over my shoes.”
“Women have been doing that for years. Why take it out on Littleshit?”
Josh looked at the stack of files on his desk and signed. “Screw it, I need a break. I have an aggravated assault case that I need to prepare so it can be filed tomorrow, but I can get there around eight.”
There was a knock at the door, and Sadie stuck her head in. “Your mom called again. She wanted to remind you that you have dance tonight at Partners in Time and if it isn’t too much could you pick her up on the way.”
“Hey, Fred Astaire, Mom’s house is about as ‘on the way’ as San Francisco is to the Pearl District.”
“You want to tell her that?” he asked Owen. “Better yet, why don’t I call her and tell her that you’re dying to be her plus-one to the charity gala since you don’t have a date.” Owen paled. “That’s what I thought.”
“Thanks,” he said to Sidney, but instead of closing the door behind her, she stood frozen in the doorway, fixated on Rhett.
“Anything else?”
“Oh.” She blinked. “There’s someone to see you. She doesn’t have an appointment, but she said to tell you that she has a problem and an ADA might come in handy. Want me to have her make an appointment?”
“No.” A stupid grin slipped out before he could stop it. “They were just leaving. Tell her I can see her in a minute.”
“What kind of handy are we talking?” Rhett asked.
