The September Outcome

Chapter 19: Revelations

 When Dwight arrived back at the council house from the meeting with Donny Brooks, he brushed past the bustling people rushing about the council house, most of them holding clipboards or standing about giving out orders. Dwight tended to avoid those kind of people as they usually weren’t much fun.

 After trudging up the short steps of stairs and walking down the hallway, he was surprised to find a man sitting in his office seat, his legs crossed.

 ‘‘Mayor Sloan,’’ Dwight said in surprise. ‘‘How can I assist you?’’

 The mayor held a cigar in his mouth and puffed on it happily. He twirled about his walking stick gingerly and smiled. ‘‘Oh I just came for a chat, my dear man. Just a talk.’’

 Dwight looked at him with great curiosity. ‘‘About what might I ask?’’

 Sloan didn’t reply back immediately and seemed to have chosen his words with caution. ‘‘Business,’’ was the reply.

 ‘‘Alright.’’ Dwight pulled a stool from the side and sat down. He was slightly afraid of exposure from the man sitting in his office chair, dandling a cane.

 ‘‘My dear Mathers, don’t sound so morbid. I only came to tell you that you’ve got the job.’’

 ‘‘I’m sorry?’’

 Sloan looked amused. ‘‘Well surely that was what you were after and now you have it. The job in question is a position as my personal assistant, of course.’’

 Personal assistant? ‘‘Surely? What about Mr. Greer, is he not your personal assistant.’’

 Sloan looked at him as if he was recollecting memories from a distant past. ‘‘Sadly, I found that Mr. Greer’s work was not…satisfactory. I relieved him of his disposition, is one way you might phrase it.’’

 Dwight did not like the sound of that one bit. ‘‘So your offering me a job as your personal assistant?’’

 Sloan was not pleased. ‘‘I am not offering you a job. I have selected you and this is your job now. An accountant will be found to replace you so do not fret about that.’’

 Dwight took this in. This was great for the case. Just when Donny was saying that there was a lack of evidence and there was no way to retrieve the evidence they had, an opportunity had seemed to present itself. He could retrieve the safe code and then they’d have proof

 ‘‘So what does being your personal assistant entail? Do I need any credentials?’’

 ‘‘Don’t worry Mathers,’’ Sloan assured, ‘‘I would not have picked you if I did not think you were suitable for the job. After what I saw from you the other night, you show great bravery and skill. The only things you need to do are to sort out my paperwork, organize my schedule, make coffee and be loyal. Loyalty is the most important thing.’’

 Dwight felt a pang of remorse for Orson Greer. It was clear now that Orson did most of Jeslop Sloan’s work for him while Sloan lived the life of the party. And now it was Dwight’s turn. He certainly would be busy from now on.’’

 Sloan stood up and grinned. ‘‘You start the job tomorrow. I presume you have plenty of paperwork as an accountant to attend to today so I shall leave that for you to complete now.’’ He traipsed out of the door. ‘‘Good day.’’

 Dwight had been praying for a miracle and his prayers had been answered. There was still hope of putting the vile man where he belonged.

***

 Audrey walked in the mansion doors, grocery bags in her arms and a single pair of keys dangling from her finger. She struggled to keep it all balanced and could hardly see through her hair that covered her entire face. She attempted to flick the strands away but this was not doable with the stuff in her hands.