Nature Abhors a Vacuum

  * * *

  “You again,” Mayor Buchanan sighed as Aiden and the others pushed their way through to the office once more. The queue outside had returned in their absence. “What on earth could you possibly want from me now?” Aiden decided on a diplomatic approach, despite his impatience.

  “I understand you are a member of the Culdeny Gentlemen's Club?”

  “Indeed I am. It is a place I go to unwind from the hassles of my office, such as yourselves. What business is it of yours?”

  “I have need to speak with Ronald Bartlett, co-owner of the North Shore Trading Company, and I have been informed I will not be permitted into the club.”

  “Quite so,” Buchanan replied haughtily. “Try not to take offence, as the club exists primarily to keep people like you, away from people like us.” Aiden stared blandly at the overweight man for a few moments before he could compose his next thoughts in the form of a question, instead of a fist to the man's face.

  “We've just come from the barracks, where I spoke with Sergeant Ariel. An incident occurred this morning concerning the security of the town, and she wants Ronald Bartlett to answer some questions. Being the discreet and thoughtful individual she is, the sergeant thought it would be better if the questions came from a man. So, if you could see your way clear to allow us entry for a few minutes, we could get this whole matter resolved promptly.”

  “You can't expect me to...” Buchanan stammered, peering incredulously at the rough-looking group. “I mean, my reputation would be ruined if the lot of you were to show up.” Sensing the failure of diplomacy, Pacian stepped forward.

  “It's in your best interest to help us out here,” he said, keeping his voice low and casting his gaze around, as if to check for who might be listening. “Some information we recently received implicates you and the mayor of Bracksford in some, shall we say, highly illegal activities with the North Shore Trading Company. Does the name Merin ring a bell? Help us out here, and that information will almost certainly be tragically lost somehow. Otherwise, well, these things have a way of getting out, if you know what I mean.”

  “You wouldn't,” Buchanan said under his breath, turning bright red and breaking out in a sweat.

  “What goes around, comes around,” Colt growled, playing along. “You should be thankful we haven't turned your fat arse in to the authorities already.” Buchanan glanced over at his assistant, whose had buried his head in a pile of papers on the desk, working feverishly so he didn't have to face his boss.

  “As it happens, I would be more than willing to aid your efforts in assisting our extremely competent woman - I mean sergeant of the guard,” Buchanan relented. “Here, take this key,” he added, fishing a small silver chain out of his waistcoat and handing it to Aiden. “That will allow you access to the club. I expect it returned promptly, sir.”

  “Your dedication to the safety of this town has been noted, mayor,” Aiden replied dryly, taking the key and placing it in his pocket. “Good day to you sir.”

  Buchanan nodded and mopped his forehead with a handkerchief, as Aiden led the others back out through the hallway again, ignoring the black looks from the waiting people.

  “I don't recall seeing Buchanan's name on that document we took from Merin,” Aiden asked Pacian when they were safely outside of the echoing hallway. “How did you know the mayor was in on it?”

  “I didn't,” Pacian shrugged, trying to keep his face free of a smug smile that threatened to take it over. “It was a gamble, but it paid off better than I could have hoped. I didn't even have to work for that result, the man just burst out in a nervous sweat straight away. If you ask me, I reckon their whole shady deal has gone belly-up, and that's what has him so worried.”

  “You just got lucky,” Colt grunted.

  “What was the worst thing that could happen?” Pacian asked the big ranger. “He'd kick us out of his office maybe?”

  “It might have been grounds to have us locked up,” Aiden mused. “Making an accusation like that, straight to the face of a powerful man like Buchanan rarely ends well. Colt's right, you just got lucky.”

  “Told ya,” Colt growled. Pacian merely shrugged.

  “I don't understand any of this,” Sayana muttered, sounding lost.

  “Don't worry, sweetness,” Pacian consoled her. “The men have things under control, you just stand there and look pretty.” Sayana gave him a solid punch to his left arm without even turning to look. Aiden grinned, seeing yet again a demonstration of how dangerous speaking before one thinks can be.