Phoenix Burning(46)

“Have you consulted the police on this matter, Emory?” Strand fidgeted, sat back in his chair, and stared at the tabletop. “A restraining order perhaps?”

Instinct told her now was the moment to push. “It isn’t that simple with some people, sir. Take my daddy, for instance. He was mean to my brother while we were growing up, just because he was a little bit different. When my brother came out and admitted he was gay, and I stood by him, my daddy threw us both out on the street.”

“That’s a horrible thing for a father to do.” Strand was riveted by her story. “What did you do?”

She thought about the early years, of Chris in school and her working all hours at the bar. “We turned out okay. Mostly because we both felt better for being honest about who we were. It was more than that though. We realized that there are plenty of good people who accepted us. Chris met Fox.” She gazed right at him. “You’ve met my brother-in-law. He’s the author.”

“That’s right. Chris Fox. And your brother is a local attorney.”

“That’s them, and being gay has never affected my brother’s practice. He’s open and honest about it.”

Strand brushed his fingertips across the metal surface of the table. “What about you? How have you done since leaving your father’s house?”

“I just met the most wonderful guy. He’s a bartender at the Phoenix Rising.” She forced herself to stick with the conversational tone. “Lately though, MacIntyre has been riding us. He’s convinced I belong to him, and he’s dead set on shutting down the Phoenix. He’s trying to change the public indecency ordinances. He’s had a petition out and everything. Next thing you know he’ll shut down Dacey’s bookstore, Clement’s gallery, and Morgan’s boutique, and then he’ll own all of downtown. And that would be a disaster.”

Strand fidgeted again. He wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Screw subtle. She was tired of beating around the bush. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but are you gay?”

“What makes you ask that?”

As if the shifty eyes weren’t enough of a giveaway. “My twin brother is gay and has been as far back as I can remember. I might not have known the terminology back then. But both of us knew he was wired a little differently than the other boys in our youth group. It’s always seemed like a second version of normal to me. And there have also been some things said by MacIntyre.”

“MacIntyre?” Strand looked near panicked. “Has he been spreading rumors?”

Emory forced herself not to roll her eyes. It would have been disrespectful. “Sir. Blackmail is a crime. If that bastard has been blackmailing you, he’s through. I don’t know why you’d hide your sexual orientation, but it isn’t necessary. Honestly, I think I’d like you better if you were gay, and I like you already.”

“Do you know how many politicians have lost their elected positions when they come out?” He slumped in the chair, looking deflated. “I don’t want to lose my job! I love being the mayor. I’ve been able to do so many wonderful things for people in this city. I love what I do. I love people. I’ve campaigned for more parks, and safer playground equipment, safer sidewalks, and city pride projects.”

Emory laughed at his enthusiasm. “You don’t have to convince me. I just don’t understand why you think any of that would change just because you admit you’re gay. People elect you because of all that other stuff. Not because they think you’re straight.”

Several moments of silence spooled by. Emory began to wonder if she’d crossed a line. Then the older man heaved a great sigh, and the tension seemed to drain right out of him.

Strand gave her a wink. “That Alex Dalesio is quite a looker.”

“Have you ever been inside Phoenix Rising?” Emory was astounded at the possibility.

“I have.” He seemed to come to a decision. “And we can’t allow MacIntyre to shut it down. There might be some crazy nights in there, but a place where everyone leaves judgment at the door is hard to come by. It should be preserved.”

Okay. The bar had apparently been saved. What about Emory? “So do I still have to go to jail?”

“I’m pretty certain your brother has already arranged your bail. But I think it’s safe to say we can get those ridiculous charges dropped.” Strand stood up. “What did you attack him with, anyway?”

Emory leaped to her feet, excited at the prospect of leaving her delinquent days behind. “A little pair of pruning shears from my prep table. I use them to clip the ends off the flower stems before I put them in a vase.”