Escape Route (Murder Off-Screen Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

world he claimed to be representing.
    “Who is that?”
    “That,” she said with a truckload of bad attitude, “is our new councilman.”
    “Council person ,” Gertie said.
    “You stop with the PC claptrap, Gertrude Montague, or I’ll knock that goiter off your neck.”
    My Aunt B is a wonderful woman. Everybody loves her. Even Gertrude Montague and the fleshy growth on her neck she calls Al. Aunt B could bandy threats all day at Gertie’s pet goiter, but let anyone else try and it was the woodshed for them.
    “Why don’t you like him?” I said. “He looks like any other politician. Handsome, too.”
    “Hasn’t lived here long enough to be elected dog catcher, never mind councilman. Doesn’t have a friend I know about and does his shopping on the Western Shore. Has yet to set foot in Stevenson’s except at election time. Which reminds me, where is the yellow Lab, I ask you?”
    Yellow Lab? How did she know about Doofus? She wasn’t that good.
    “I’m lost. What Lab are you talking about?”
    “The dog. I told you. The yellow Lab with the enormous brown eyes and that smile.” She crossed her arms and shook her head. “People voted for the dog, not this piece of work.” She opened the window over the sink and took a handful of wet paper towels to the ledge. “Since Mr. Moron won, you never see the dog anymore. We’re stuck with ... with ... G E O F F Cuthbart. Who spells a name that way?”
    I was in LA during Oakley Beach’s last election. Here, in our little, lost corner of the world, running for office—any office—was a big deal in the village. Being an elected official was the highest peak you could reach. You either had to win an election or get a franchise to sell Chevys if you wanted to be the Grand Marshall of our Christmas parade.
    “I saw that dog,” I said. “There’s a billboard still up on Route 50. Gorgeous eyes. It did look like it was smiling. As a matter of fact—in the park—I might have—”
    “Shush. Sh. A reporter asked him about King.” Gertie twisted the volume knob.
    Cuthbart: “He’s at home with the children.” Hearty laugh. “My kids love King.”
    Reporter: “Some people say you won because of the dog, Councilman.”
    Cuthbart: “Council person .” He winked at the camera and the reporters nodded and mumbled apologetically. “King? I would have voted for him, as well. He may have been a shelter dog when we adopted him, but he’s better looking than me, and probably a whole lot smarter.” Crowd laughter. “Not to worry. King is a trusted member of my advisory committee.”

CHAPTER 7
     
     
    King’s ears snapped in the wind. The rear window was rolled down far enough for his whole head and part of his neck to hang out. Such wonderful smells. His nose couldn’t keep up. He wasn’t sure what most of them were but that was okay. They were delicious and way better than the nasty place with the other dogs where he used to live. In that place, fear-smell covered everything.
    When the Man showed up and took him out of there, it happened so fast he only had enough time to say good-bye to his pal in the cage next to his. He tried to forget about them, but it didn’t really work out.
    Now, two different Men sat in front of him. At times, they used words he understood, but he was more interested in the scenery and the smells.
    “You shoot. I’ll dig.”
    Avery shook his head. “Don’t try and put that on me. I’m not shooting any dog. That’s bad karma, man. You’re the hit man. It’s your job, not mine.” He checked in the rearview. The stupid dog was slobbering all over the windows. “My job is digging.” He took in a deep breath and sighed. “Why are we even doing this mess?”
    Timmy banged open the glove compartment and pulled out a thick envelope. “Because we want the other half of this is why. The election is over. Don’t need the dog no more, so ...” He made a slashing motion across his neck with the envelope. “... off with his