Midnight Crossing (Josie Gray Mysteries #5)(5)

“—would be better for us if we got you a room at Manny’s. You stayed there last time you were here. I’m sure he’ll have a nice room for you. And his rooms are very reasonable.”

Beverly huffed and Josie motioned to the conference table, where they both sat down. Her mom was wearing a short denim skirt and a T-shirt that fit her like a second skin. Josie acknowledged in her mind that it had been several years since she’d seen her mom, but she was fairly certain that her mom’s chest was a size or two larger now than she remembered.

“Surprised?” her mom said. “I could tell I got you when you walked in the room.”

Josie smiled, trying to warm up, to be gracious and show some appreciation for her mom. As happened with almost every visit, she felt nauseating guilt for the irritation she felt over her mom’s presence.

“You surprised me. That’s for sure,” she said. “How’s everyone back in Indiana?”

“Did I tell you Aunt Sugar got married?” Beverly asked.

Josie shook her head. She hadn’t talked to her mom in almost a year. Her mom knew that she’d not told Josie about her aunt. She’d never understood her mom’s insistence on pretending they had a close relationship when it so obviously was not the case.

“She got married a month ago and moved to Oklahoma last week. She’s my last family. Everybody else either died or deserted me. I figure, maybe it’s time to move west. Be closer to Sugar. Closer to you and my grandkids.”

Josie raised her eyebrows. She was an only child, mid-thirties, never married, no kids.

“You’re old enough. I figured I’d show up and find out you were married, with a kid on the way. You and the accountant. What’s his name? Drake?”

“His name was Dillon. And he no longer lives here. He moved back to St. Louis about a year ago. And no. I have no plans for marriage or kids in the near future.”

The intercom buzzed on Josie’s desk phone. Josie took a deep breath and walked over to her desk and pressed the button, telling Lou, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

As she sat back down at the table, trying to avoid the feeling that her mom was baiting her, she heard the steady clomp of cowboy boots, the precursor to a visit from Mayor Moss. She briefly closed her eyes and wondered if her day could get much worse.

Thirty seconds later the mayor walked into the office, glanced from Josie to her mom, and stopped as if he’d suddenly forgotten why he was here. He played like he’d just walked into the middle of a pleasant surprise.

“Afternoon, Mayor. What can I do for you?” Josie asked.

He looked from Josie to her mom and back again. “Sisters? I definitely see a resemblance here.”

“Mayor Moss, this is my mom. Beverly Gray.”

He gave Beverly a big skeptical grin as if he couldn’t believe it. “Mother? No way. You have to be sisters.”

Beverly stood and walked around the table, stretching her hand out to shake his. Josie was relieved she didn’t go straight for the hug, or, worse yet, the kiss on both cheeks.

“I am so glad to finally meet you!” Her voice was a flirty singsong. “You happen to be the first mayor I have ever actually talked to in person. It is a real honor.”

Moss lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Josie told me all about you. I know she feels very lucky to work with you.”

Josie stared at her mom like she had lost her mind, and then felt the mayor’s eyes on her. She turned to the back of the room. “Anyone want coffee?”

“No, I’m fine, honey,” her mother called.

Honey? And why on earth had her mom told the mayor that Josie had talked about him? Her mom had no idea who she talked to or about, or the fact that Josie and the mayor had a contentious working relationship.

After another five minutes of interminable flirting between the two, Josie repeated, “What can I do for you, Mayor?”

He glanced back at Josie and cleared his throat. “I have intelligence that we need to discuss.”

Josie gritted her teeth. Her tolerance had evaporated.

“I got an anonymous phone call. There’s some bad customers taking up in town.”

Josie turned to her mom and said, “I’ll have to connect with you later.”

Beverly seemed shocked, like she couldn’t believe she was being dismissed. “So, I should just take my bags to your house? Is that what we decided?”

Josie glanced at the mayor and said, “I’ll be right back. Let me walk her out.”

The mayor extended his hand again and said what a pleasure it had been to meet such an outstanding woman. He turned to Josie. “You make sure and show your mama a good time while she’s here in Artemis. Bring her by my office one afternoon, and I’ll give her the big tour around town. You hear?”

“I sure will,” Josie said.

*

Moments later, standing in front of the police station, Josie pointed down the block. “You remember Manny’s Motel? Just remind him that you’re my mom. I’m sure he’ll give you a good rate. Do you need directions to my house for dinner?”

“Nope. I got you in my GPS.”

“Okay. I’ll see you at six, then.” Josie reached out and they hugged awkwardly. “It’s good to see you again.”

*