other, but I’ve never seen the management shift on a reporter like this before.”
“I’ll watch my back. Thanks, Landon.”
He nodded and sighed. “Go get ‘um, kid.”
“Oh, I will.” She walked out of Landon’s office with an arm full of bullshit assignments and more resolve to keep looking into the land purchases that Killian had questioned. But first, she had a councilman to nuke.
A snake. Yes, the man reminded her of a snake. The way his tongue snuck out and constantly licked at his lips and the fact that he had no eyelashes that she could discern didn’t dissuade her from the thought picture in the slightest. “Ms. King, please, do come in.”
“Councilman Davis. This is Stuart, my cameraman. May we set up here? It would put you in the best light.”
“Of course. I’m flattered that Channel Two is finally recognizing the hard work the city council does for the constituents of Hope City.” The man’s fingers slid down her arm as he passed her. A shudder ran down her spine and revulsion boiled in her gut. Oh, she was going to take this man down.
“We absolutely have. Stu, are we ready?”
“Just let me extend this a bit.” A boom mic extension from the tripod moved closer toward them before Stuart grunted. “Good to go and we are recording… now.”
“Thank you, Councilman Davis, for allowing us into your office today. We at Channel Two are doing our best to point out the best of Hope City along with our daily need to deliver the harsh reality of the criminals that are amongst us.”
“Of course, of course. The citizens of Hope City need to see the good their elected leaders have done for them. A constant barrage of negative news isn’t good for anyone.” The man gave her a smarmy smile.
“Yes, I agree. Now, according to my research, there have been many initiatives to better the unfortunate in Hope City since you’ve been elected, is that correct?”
“Absolutely. I support the downtrodden and ensure they get all the aid we can provide. A city such as ours does have resources and we do our best to ensure the people under my purview have access to quality-of-life enhancements.”
Bekki opened her notebook and smiled as she led the man to his slaughter. “Right. Now, the Cardboard Cottages are in your ward, correct?”
“Yes, yes. Unfortunately, the homeless population in the city is not only in my ward but throughout the majority of the area. A true shame.”
“Oh, I agree. A shame. Ever Hope is the homeless shelter in your ward that serves a huge population, including some of those who reside in the cottages?” She lifted her pen and her eyes at the same time.
“Indeed. The staff of Ever Hope does a wonderful job of finding transition housing, getting the indigent population medical help, and sheltering those it can.”
“And food,” Bekki added and then smiled.
“Food, well to the residents, yes.”
“Sir, were you not aware of the sandwich line that forms around the block for the lunch service provided by Ever Hope’s staff?”
Davis blinked and then smiled, “Of course, of course, that slipped my mind.”
“Of course. I’ve been looking at the meeting minutes for the city council and in particular your ward. A remarkable string of events, sir.”
“Well, thank you.” He preened a bit and pulled back his thin lips in that reptilian smile.
Bekki cocked her head. “I’m not congratulating you, sir. For the last six months, you have refused to move forward three initiatives that would aid the homeless and feed the hungry even though the petitions had all of the proper paperwork completed and waiting. Six months, Councilman Davis. Six months that the hungry could have been fed, clothes could have been distributed to those going on job interviews, and medical aid could have been funded by local businesses, but you blocked the initiatives. Can you explain why, sir?”
Davis shook himself and recovered his bluster. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ms. King.” His eyes narrowed as if the slimeball had just put two and two together and it actually equaled four.
“No idea? I have here a list of dates and times where you moved to table numerous initiatives, including the three I looked into that would assist. You pushed the initiatives for the homeless to the side, tabling them no less than six times. For six months, these programs have languished, Councilman Davis. How many people do you think could have been fed, clothed, or aided by these initiatives?”
“I believe